Unleash Your Spirit: From local impact to global influence with Thach, SBD Engineering Manager
Through all our corporate pursuits, Suntory seeks to Inspire the Brilliance of Life. Our values of Growing for Good, Yatte Minahare and Giving Back to Society unite us to achieve this purpose.
For our employee spotlight series, we’re talking to Suntorians around the world who demonstrate what it means to “Unleash Your Spirit.”
Thach began his Suntory career in 2018 as a Management Trainee at Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam Beverage (SPVB), where he worked in a range of functions, including production, sales, and quality management. After completing the trainee program, he became an Engineering Manager, specializing in systems and maintenance capacity development. In September 2023, Thach transferred to Suntory Holdings Limited’s Global Technical Department (GTD), where he now serves as a Suntory Business Driver (SBD) Engineering Manager with an expanded global scope. Thach’s experience exemplifies Suntory's commitment to professional growth and cultural diversity.
Q. Tell us a bit about yourself and your Suntory career. What is your current role with Suntory?
I’ve been with the Suntory Group for six years – starting with Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam Beverage (SPVB) as a Management Trainee. After finishing this program, I worked in SPVB’s Engineering Nationwide department. After three years as an Engineering Manager, specializing in systems and maintenance capacity development, I transferred to Suntory Holdings Limited in the Global Technical Department (GTD) in September 2023.
Here, I’m an SBD Engineering Manager, but with a global scope. The department is responsible for sustainable development KPIs, continuing to build technical systems and develop capacity, and the maintenance of factories at other business units. Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) Improvement is also a big part of my responsibilities. I work with leaders at all levels on strategies to improve OEE, enhance Gemba power, develop capabilities, and work onsite at the factories.
Q. Can you share some of your insights/learnings from the experience so far?
One learning I gained when switching from a local role to a global role was cultural diversity – encompassing work culture, communication culture, culinary culture and entertainment culture. I work with a department made up of people from countries including Japan, New Zealand, England, South Africa, Thailand, and Vietnam. This creates opportunities and challenges that require the team to really consider and understand each other. Once cultural challenges are solved, we can see that cohesion is enhanced, communication is more effective, and the quality of work improves.
Q. What is your best “Yatte Minahare” story – a time where you acted boldly, tackled a challenge or turned a dream into reality in your role at Suntory?
One example that shows the principle of "Yatte Minahare" is when I was working at SPVB. I was a member of the team implementing a project to optimize spare part inventory at factories in Vietnam. From the time the project was proposed to implementation, we always tried to get the best results, but there were countless difficulties and challenges that arose. Although there were mistakes and missteps, we always tried to work with the factory teams to update and adjust as quickly as possible. After several years since its implementation, the amount of spare part inventory at the factories has improved, creating a great impression in the BU and at Suntory.
Q. At Suntory, we want to provide employees with opportunities to “Unleash Your Spirit”. What does “Unleash Your Spirit” mean to you and how have you been able/encouraged to “Unleash Your Spirit”?
“Unleash Your Spirit” is a way of life at Suntory. In the Global Technical Department, I am always encouraged to think broadly, differently, and openly. In this new environment, every idea is respected and every innovative thought is discussed and considered. The ultimate goal is that the company always considers its people their most important assets. Unleash Your Spirit underscores this.
Q. What is one piece of advice you’d give to other professionals, including others across Suntory’s global business?
When starting any job, the first question that comes to my mind is "Why?". Asking “Why?” brings a sense of purpose, helping us understand the root reasons behind each action, and helps us make decisions quickly and accurately. In addition, asking "Why?" helps us avoid assumptions and provides a more comprehensive understanding, which improves critical thinking. In short, "Why?” is an important question that I want colleagues and other experts to consider.
About Suntory
Our people are the driving force behind our business. We believe each of us has unlimited potential to grow, to lead and to positively contribute to society and nature. We encourage our more than 40,000 global employees to Unleash Your Spirit – to be curious, be bold, and be the best you can be. And we instill a Gemba mindset, enabling our people to understand the unique needs of our customers as we continuously look to exceed their expectations. As One Suntory, we strive to make an impact and have fun doing what we love by crafting our future together.