The role
We are seeking a Technical Sales Support Manager – Spirits to join our team as a technical expert and business enabler. You will be the go-to technical authority for our sales teams and customers, combining deep spirits production expertise with exceptional communication and relationship-building skills.
Expected location: Japan, India, Greater China, or Taiwan, etc.
Key Responsibilities are:
- Technical Leadership: Maintain and develop the technical knowledge of regional sales teams through training, presentations, and expert guidance on yeast, fermentation, and spirits production applications.
- Customer Support: Deliver technical presentations, troubleshoot production challenges, support pilot trials, and provide product training to beverage producers.
- Expert Leadership: Represent Fermentis at industry conferences, trade shows, and technical forums. Contribute to industry publications and participate in knowledge-sharing initiatives.
- Industry Networking: Build and maintain relationships with Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs), industry associations, and recognized institutions within the spirits sector.
- Project Coordination: Manage technical projects and trials between Fermentis and customers/partners, working closely with R&D and the Fermentis Academy.
- Quality & Troubleshooting: Support investigation of customer complaints and quality issues; assist with process optimization and technical problem-solving.
- Knowledge Management: Maintain and disseminate technical resources, FAQs, and best practices to the sales team.
Essential Requirements:
- 5+ years of professional experience in spirits production (whisky, rum, gin, vodka, brandy, or neutral spirits)
- Strong understanding of distillation processes with hands-on experience in spirits production preferred
- Excellent communication skills: Ability to deliver technical presentations, train sales teams, and engage with customers at all levels
- Problem-solving mindset: Experience in troubleshooting production challenges, supporting quality investigations, and managing pilot trials
- Self-motivated and independent: Comfortable managing projects autonomously and thriving in a travel-intensive role
- Networking capability: Proven ability to build relationships with industry professionals, KOLs, and technical communities
- Based in or willing to relocate to: India (preferred), Japan, Greater China, or Taiwan, with valid working rights
Additional qualifications:
- Formal qualification or certification in distilling/spirits production from a recognized institution
- Hands-on experience with multiple spirit types
- Knowledge of fermentation science and yeast applications in spirits production
- Previous experience in technical support or customer-facing technical role
- Familiarity with spirits industry regulations and quality standard
Travel: This role requires significant regional travel (40%+) across the region. Southeast Asia and South Asia (primary); Greater China, Japan-Korea, and ANZ (support), with occasional international travel to industry events.