Technical Sales Support Manager – Spirit

Fermentis, business unit of the Lesaffre group, is a global key player in yeasts and fermentation solutions for the brewing, wine, spirits, coffee and other beverage industries. Fermentis has a well-recognized know how in the fermentation industry allowing the development and production of products adapted for particular applications based on the research of more than 550 RD experts from Lesaffre and other external academics. Its wide variety of products has been specifically created to meet the quality requirements of fermented beverage producers around the world, focusing on the development of aroma and character.

The Lesaffre group, on its own, has its origins in Lille, northern France. For over 170 years, it has been focused on yeast and all the applications it can offer, with currently more than 63 industrial plants and 10000 employees worldwide.

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.