Beam Suntory has appointed Neeraj Kumar to serve as Managing Director, India, effective May 2019. With leading brands like Teacher’s and Jim Beam, the company has an ambitious goal of reaching $1 billion in sales by 2030.
“Neeraj is the ideal leader to guide the next wave of growth in our India business unit,” said Pryce Greenow, Beam Suntory’s President, International. “Since joining Beam Suntory, Neeraj has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and brings a wealth of marketing and sales experience to the role. We’re always looking to provide greater leadership opportunities for our top talent, and Neeraj has the leadership capabilities, character and determination to help us achieve our ambitions to grow India into one of our biggest markets.”
A world leader in premium spirits, Beam Suntory in India has offices in Gurgaon, New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata and a primary bottling facility in Rajasthan.
Kumar is a veteran marketing and strategy leader with more than 25 years of marketing, sales, and strategy experience. Kumar joined Beam Suntory in 2008 as Marketing Director, India helping build the leadership position for Teacher’s Scotch in India while expanding Jim Beam. In 2016, he assumed the position of Marketing Director, Emerging Asia, helping establish new routes-to-market in China and South Korea. Kumar has been a key leader in helping deliver sustained performance in India, a priority emerging market for Beam Suntory.
“India is a strategic priority for Beam Suntory, and I couldn’t be more energized to be charged with our ambitious growth agenda and leading our passionate India team,” said Kumar. “Our growth plans reflect a strong commitment from Beam Suntory to the Indian market and our vision of Growing for Good, protecting water and the environment, giving back to our communities, and promoting responsible consumption of our products.”
Prior to Beam Suntory, Kumar served in roles of increasing responsibility at PepsiCo Nepal and Electrolux India, where he rose to the position of Vice President Marketing & Strategy at Electrolux Major Appliances.
