AI Engineering Lead

WHO WE ARE

Suntory is a global leader in consumer-packaged goods, renowned for producing and distributing a uniquely diverse portfolio of beverages, premium spirits, beer, wine, and wellness products throughout the world. With a history dating back to 1899, we are driven by a profound purpose: To inspire the brilliance of life, by creating rich experiences for people, inharmony with nature. At Suntory Beverage and Food, we boldly move forward together to realize the dreams of becoming a world-leading next-generation global beverage company, always together with Seikatsusha – you are an important part of this and here’s how your role helps us win.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

This role is responsible for building and leading a Global AI Engineering Center of Excellence (CoE) to accelerate AI-driven innovation across Suntory. Working closely with business and technology stakeholders, the position will define standards, develop AI capabilities, and drive the adoption of scalable, secure, and high-impact AI solutions globally.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Establish and lead the Global AI Engineering Center of Excellence (CoE), driving AI innovation, governance, and engineering excellence across the organization.
• Define and implement AI engineering standards, frameworks, and best practices to enable scalable, secure, and high-quality AI solutions.
• Partner with business and technology stakeholders to identify opportunities, prioritize initiatives, and deliver AI-driven business value.
• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing team of AI engineers, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Evaluate, adopt, and integrate emerging AI technologies in alignment with enterprise architecture, security, and compliance requirements.
• Ensure AI initiatives align with business objectives, regulatory expectations, and responsible AI principles.
• Drive stakeholder engagement, change management, and AI adoption to maximize organizational impact and value realization.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Proven track record of leading AI Engineering teams, functions, or Centers of Excellence within a global organization.
• Deep expertise in AI technologies, machine learning, generative AI, and modern software engineering practices.
• Demonstrated success in defining AI strategy and delivering scalable, enterprise-wide AI solutions that drive business value.
• Strong leadership, stakeholder management, and communication skills, with the ability to influence senior business and technology stakeholders.
• Solid understanding of AI governance, responsible AI principles, data privacy, security, and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Experience with cloud-based AI platforms, ML Ops/DevOps practices, and enterprise AI deployment frameworks.
• Relevant professional certifications in AI, cloud technologies, project management, or leadership are advantageous.

WHY JOIN US?

• We are Suntory: Our rich history and values guide us to Grow for Good, pursue excellence with the Yatte Minahare spirit, and give back to society.
• Make the change you want to see: At Suntory, you're encouraged to dream big, be bold, and make a positive impact. Be part of a company that treasures diversity and celebrates innovation.
• Crafting our future together: As part of our Suntory family, you'll play a vital role in shaping our collective future. We're dedicated to inspiring human connections, creating memorable moments, and promoting better choices every day