Draught Quality Manager, Midlands Territory

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Asahi UK (AUK), part of Asahi Europe & International Ltd, aims to enrich consumer experiences through innovation, high-quality service and an exceptional portfolio of premium beer, ale and cider brands including, Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Asahi Super Dry, Meantime, Fuller's London Pride and Cornish Orchards. Our aim is to be the leading super premium beer business in the UK, through a brand mix that creates a compelling proposition. At AUK we operate as an end to end business unit responsible for sales, marketing, customer operations, production, supply chain and wholesale operations in the UK & Ireland. For further information, visit www.asahibeer.co.uk

Asahi Europe & International is a subsidiary of Asahi Group Holdings Ltd, a global beverage and food company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, Japan. Employing > 12,000 people, Asahi Europe & International is the custodian for leading super premium lager brands Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Grolsch, Asahi Super Dry, plus international Czech lager brands, Pilsner Urquell and Kozel. The business has world-class brewing and production facilities in 8 markets - UK, NL, ITL, PL, CZ, SK, HU, RO. In most of these markets, we are the leading brewer with full portfolio of famous brands. Commercial operations in other parts of Europe, USA, Canada, LatAm, Africa and Asia are served through our global distribution network. With state-of-the-art facilities, some of the best brewers in the world, quality ingredients, and a culture based on innovation and collaboration, Asahi offers the best quality of beer to beer lovers worldwide. More information can be found at www.asahiinternational.com

Draught Quality Manager, Midlands Territory

Key Purpose Statement:
The Draught Quality Manager (DQM) role is an ambassador for the quality of AUK's brands at the point of dispense in the licensed trade. As a customer facing role it represents our brands ensuring a premium consumer in glass experience.

The DQM's are the "go to" team within AUK for product and technical knowledge motivating influencing and engaging with the AUK's Sales teams and customers to focus on product quality.

The team promote best practice for the management of dispense systems, associated systems and cellar management practices through the appropriate application and adherence to AUK draught technical system standards and serving guidelines. This is achieved through technical support, training and an auditing programmed bringing commercial benefit to all.

The role is a key support function to AUK sales teams and Route to Market partners. Inspiring a passion for quality beer, through a sharing of knowledge and via a consultative call approach with customers. In outlet Identifying yield and energy opportunities, recommending appropriate dispense system and training solutions, all in line with budget controls with the overall aim of securing our brands distribution , improving Rate of Sale and ensuring Asahi brands consistently dispense to our premium expectations.

Key Accountabilities:
The Draught Quality Manager (DQM) is responsible for the following key outputs and accountabilities:
Training, Coaching and Added Value consultancy type support:

• Work with the AUK sales & brands teams in supporting our customers by identifying and presenting added value dispense opportunities, that will support AUK commercial objectives and create strong enduring relationships with customers. In so advising on specific product requirements and how these are best suited for specific locations and accounts
• Deliver engaging beer quality / technical training sessions relating to the dispensing / management of draught products, ensuring the courses are delivered with enthusiasm and passion for our brands delivering key messages on quality and best practices.
• Run courses which will include pouring ritual, tutored tastings, beer and cider food matching that meet the specific needs of customer.
• Deliver the quality audit program in a way that supports and encourages outlets and technical teams to engage on the quality journey driving mutual commercial advantage through improved rate of sale by promoting best practices.
• Ensure any underperforming outlets are monitored and supported to improve their standards through collaboration with the AUK Sales account manager and customer.
• Define, produce and deliver training sessions (group and individual) for AUK sales teams and Service Providers in areas of product, technical standards, equipment including specification updates.
• Measure AUK equipment and installation standards including amendments to specification training sessions to outlets and customer technical/quality teams as requested by the broader draught technical team.

Technical Quality Execution:

• Providing technical support, using dispense knowledge and bespoke solutions and manage via the DTS Operations team, the delivery to customer expectations for specific large projects, major builds and refurbishments.
• Developing technical solutions for AUK outlets that experience ongoing dispense issues.
• Providing support for dispense innovation projects and in trade equipment evaluation
• Ensure draught product is served to the consumer in the best possible condition at corporate/brand events and festivals by providing technical support and guidance of the Event Service Provider.
• When required, providing hands on operational support for specific projects or promotional drives
• Complete any basic remedial actions during when attending an outlet capturing any non-compliance achieved by the Service Provider

Auditing and Compliance Assurance:

• Completing the audit program of dispense installation and maintenance work-undertaken by our service providers and Asahi Technical Representatives, and Cellar practices relating to AUK keg and Cask products to ensure consistent application of technical and product quality standards.
• Delivering the audit programme for AUK as defined by the Draught Quality Standards Manager with a focus to ensure compliance.

Improvement:

• Identify/capture and propose potential equipment, Quality and EH&S improvement opportunities
• Ensure AUK we remain industry leading and provide the added value to our sales team to support their commercial objectives.
• Provide recommendations to improve or rectify below standard Cellar management practices, installations and maintenance activity along with the overall equipment performance.

Health and Safety:

• Responsible for ensuring that the working environment is safe and controlled complying with AUK Health and Safety policies. This includes, but is not limited to
• Driving standards, ensuring risk assessments are completed and applied for related tasks and reviewed regularly with the Draught Quality Technical Manager raising any non-compliances in-line with AUK Health and Safety policy.
• Using at all times appropriate safety equipment such as safety footwear, lifting equipment, personal gas detection units aligning to AUKs Health and Safety policy.
• Ensure all tools and equipment are fit for purpose and where calibration is required, test frequency is adhered too.

Customer Services Management:

• Work with the broader draught technical team (for example, Draught Operations team, Dispense Equipment Supply Manager and Service Providers) to deliver against customer service, quality and cost metrics
• Build and maintain quality relationships at an operational level with internal and external customers managing expectations and resolving any queries.
• Attend customer and field sales team review meetings updating on quality, service metrics and initiative updates to foster a collaborative relationship and bolster the AUK DTS profile

Experience Required:

• Experience of working in a customer focused role within an FMCG environment
• Experience in training and coaching
• Prior experience of basic auditing (auditing qualification advantageous)
• Knowledge and experience of working on draught dispense systems
• Licensed trade knowledge advantageous
• Prior experience of auditing and driving the quality agenda (advantageous)
• Demonstrated experience managing supplier and customer relationships
• Good PC skills; Excel (advanced); Word & PowerPoint (proficient); CRM (advantageous)and mobile facilities management systems
• Working towards an industry qualification i.e. Beer Sommelier or Brewing Qualification.

Key Attributes of the Successful Person:

• Customer and quality focused with an ability to inspire
• Self-motivated and able to work on own initiative with minimal supervision
• Able to train on a one to one and group basis in formal and informal environments
• Strong communicator, with an ability to influence and motivate people at all levels
• Demonstrates commercial awareness and good analytical skills.
• Able to build productive customer or supplier relationships that deliver against the business objectives
• Able to work within a Head Office environment with the ability to communicate and influence both senior stakeholders and other departments within the business.
• Highly organized with excellent attention to detail
• Methodical approach to problem solving

We are committed to nurturing a workplace where we celebrate and respect difference, and support everyone to be true to who they are! At Asahi Europe and International we believe you can SHINE AS YOU ARE - no matter your age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disabilities, religion, or beliefs. We want to support you to be courageous in your individuality and to know that whoever you are and whatever your circumstances, you can belong with us without having to conform.