Pernod Ricard and THE KYOTO DISTILLERY
Worldwide co-leader of the Spirit & Wine Industry, Pernod Ricard has a wide portfolio of Premium to Prestige brands covering all categories: Champagne, Wines, Whiskies, Gin and Other Western Style Spirits. The Group has been building this extensive portfolio through on-going acquisitions over the past 20 years.
One of the most recent acquisitions of the Group has been in Japan with TKD – The Kyoto Distillery, to further reinforce its global footprint in the premium and above gin category.
KI NO BI
The Kyoto Distillery was established in Kyoto, Japan, in 2014 by the three founders: Noriko Kakuda Croll, David Croll and Marcin Miller. It has been the first dedicated gin distillery in Japan and the first authentic Japanese craft gin to market.
A new state-of-the-art distillery will open beginning October 2025, committed to use only fossil-free energy.
Made out of 11 carefully selected botanicals, blended in Kyoto with an innovative distillation process, handcrafted in collaboration with the local makers, KI NO BI has been recognized by the spirit industry with many prestigious awards, including three IWSC Trophies.
On top of strong recognition and success in Japan, KI NO BI has been quickly gaining strong momentum overseas, emerging out of the fast developing gin category; it is already distributed in approximately 40 markets.
KI NO BI is a brand with Kyoto at its heart. The brand is inspired by Kyoto fine craftsmanship in traditional art & culture, the sensitivity to the seasons and nature, and Kyoto’s creations, such as cuisine, which can be enjoyed with all five senses, including visual presentation and ambience.
Positioned as an ultra premium gin, KI NO BI is targeting Genuine Discerners. They are ambitious achievers, with established lifestyles. They have found success, appreciate art & culture and approach it with a genuine passion and curiosity for knowledge.
In a society that pressures you to set the pace, KI NO BI enables the Genuine Discerners to suspend time by tuning in to the Subtlety of Kyoto. The brand purpose is to “elevate the now”.
Position Summary:
【Role Overview】
The Operations Director serves as both the operational leader and the Legal Representative Director of The Kyoto Distillery Co., Ltd. This position is pivotal in driving operational excellence, ensuring compliance, and enabling strategic growth during a major expansion phase.
【Current Business Context】
With the new distillery construction completed, we are moving forward into the next phase, focusing on maximizing the benefits of our expanded production capacity while fostering organizational and people growth.
Strategic Shift: Focus moves from day-to-day operational oversight to:
Empowering teams to manage daily operations safely and efficiently.
Leveraging additional capacity to expand business and optimize performance.
Stakeholder Management: Strong engagement with Pernod Ricard Group, government authorities, and external partners is critical.
Legal Responsibility: Ensure governance and compliance under Japanese law as Representative Director.
[Key scope of Accountability]
To run operations according to agreed budgets, targets, and plans
To develop strategic plans, in line with Crystal Business Unit and Group strategies and with external factors considered
To ensure resources are secured and well managed with organizational development
To ensure compliance with law, regulations, guidelines, operating requirements, policies, and other requirements
To ensure safe working environment and a sound safety culture
To ensure responsibilities within health & safety, well-being, environment, quality, food safety, energy, fire safety and electrical safety are well managed in own area and throughout the organization.
To manage the Local affairs matters as the representative of the local entity.
Cost and cash management, including Value Engineering
Monitoring of performance, corrective actions, and continuous improvements in line with strategies and mindset of Manufacturing Excellence
Management of strategic and transformational projects
[Key Successful Factor]
Volume Fill and Adherence to plan (including production, shipment, quality and cost)
Strategic projects executed according to plan (including CAPEX plan)
Health & Safety and Wellbeing, targeting zero LTAs and continuous improvement in safety culture maturity
Quality and safe products
Environmental impact minimized throughout value chain and achievement of targets and ambitions
Cost and cost management
Compliance with law, regulation, policy’s and guidelines / operating requirements
Continuous improvement culture
Engagement and involvement
Talent development and succession planning
Business Continuity
Strong networking and stakeholder management (internal and external)
Operational presence
[Other generic responsibility]
General & Administration
QSE – Facilitate the management and reporting aligned with Crystal BU and PR global operations standards
Business analytical support and reporting at TKD, including PR standardised global operations KPI reporting
Positively influence government, industry bodies, and communities on matters affecting the operation of the business. Act as a spokesperson for TKD in its primary relationships with suppliers, major clients, partners, government bodies, banks, industry and the media.
Ensure that TKD maintains its positive image within industry and the community in which it operates and is recognised as a responsible business.
Analyse performance and identify trends. Develop and implement actions to address identified areas.
People Management & Communication
Promote an understanding and commitment to the Company’s Vision and values demonstrating how they will be achieved within Operations
Provide coaching and mentorship for the effective Employee Performance and Development reviews.
Contribute to the development of the succession plans for Operations and development plans.
Ensure an effective process exists for active, regular and consistent communication with colleagues, cross functional project team and external partners
Positively influence the culture of Operations in line with Company Values
Participate in goal setting and ensure understanding and ‘buy in ‘of team
QSE and S&R Compliance – in liaison with Head Distiller
Collaborate in establishing the appropriate Industrial environment for a safe and productive workplace. Monitor and evaluate effectiveness of QSE systems and performance to ensure sufficient resources to meet all of the company’s QSE requirements.
Ensuring systems, policies, business practices, standards and procedures are developed and maintained to comply with and deliver effective QSE management and S&R principles.
Skills / Qualifications / Experience:
1 Educational qualification
Technical / Engineering degree from university (or similar experience) or above preferred
2 Professional experience
10+ years in business
Operational Production/Factory/ People management 7 yrs + (preferably from different levels)
Quality, Food Safety, Environment 3yrs
Health & Safety and Risk Management 3yrs
Lean or equivalent, Product Development 3yrs
3 Functional Competencies
Strategy & planning, Entrepreneurship, Project & Change management, Organizational development
Communication & relationship building on all levels internally and externally
Stakeholder management, Operations performance, Production management
Manufacturing Excellence / continuous improvements
Environment & Sustainability, Consumer Insight, Business & Financial Acumen are plus
4 Language
Must be fluent in both English and Japanese.Position Dimensions / Roles Reporting to Position / Decision Making Authority:
Budget:
- ~€25M level of strategic project(s) - done
- Opex Of TKD ~€3M p.a.
- Purchase value of ~€3M p.a..
- Inventory value of ~€1.5M p.a.
Travel required:
- Regularly required domestically and occasionally required internationally.
Roles reporting to position:
5 direct reports, and additional ~10+ full time indirect reports and ~10 casual employee
Decision making authority:
In accordance of Deed of Authority Matrix
Job Posting End Date:
Target Hire Date:
2026-05-31Target End Date: