New CEO for Suntory Oceania

Dai Minato has been announced as the new CEO of Suntory Beverage & Food Oceania, and will step into the role from April 2025.

Along with Mark Hill, Managing Director – Suntory Global Spirits Oceania, Minato will lead the $3 billion multi-beverage business as it prepares to go live in mid-2025, anticipating a new era of growth in Australia and New Zealand.

A highly respected leader in the global beverage industry, Minato has played a key role in shaping Suntory’s global business across the Japan, Europe, Asia–Pacific and US markets. He most recently guided the strategic agenda and expansion of the business outside of Japan as Chief Strategy & Finance Officer at Suntory Beverage & Food International.

Jahanzeb Khan, CEO of Suntory Beverage & Food Asia Pacific, said Minato’s appointment marks the next era for Suntory in Oceania as he leads the company’s bold growth plans. “I have every confidence he will empower the team to ignite the local market and achieve our enormous growth potential.”

Minato has strong knowledge of both the non-alcohol and alcohol sectors. Earlier in his career, he was a part of the acquisition and integration team for Beam Inc. (now Suntory Global Spirits), later leading the strategy and corporate development function in Chicago for more than five years.

“I am honoured to join the team in Oceania as we become the region’s newest multi-beverage player,” Minato said.

“Our business is anchored in our 125-year-old history, extraordinary craftsmanship, 40 market-leading brands and, most of all, our driven and diverse team.”

Current Suntory Oceania CEO Darren Fullerton, who announced his retirement in December 2024, will support the final stages of the creation of Suntory Oceania as a strategic advisor.

The Suntory Oceania partnership will bring together the end-to-end manufacturing, sales and distribution of Suntory’s licensed and non-alcohol portfolios. It will officially go live in Australia in July 2025 and in New Zealand in January 2026.

In preparation, Suntory Oceania has announced a national recruitment drive for 80 new roles in its Licensed Route-to-Market team. The new Territory Manager positions will be based in NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia, and will play an important part in representing the premium alcohol portfolio.

For information about how to apply for one of these roles, click here.

Image caption: Dai Minato, CEO of Suntory Beverage & Food Oceania, with Mark Hill, Managing Director – Suntory Global Spirits Oceania. Image: Supplied.