Breaking Barriers: Career Growth Lessons from Jamie Huang, Suntory Global Spirits Sr. HR Specialist
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On 25 November 2024, Student Association of International Programs hosted a Resume Workshop, featuring Jamie Huang as the guest speaker. Beyond sharing her expertise in crafting resumes and cover letters, Jamie offered a glimpse into her broader career journey and the lessons she has learned from working in dynamic, international environments. Her career embodies her skill in human resources and her ability to navigate and bridge diverse cultural landscapes.
Currently, Jamie serves as Senior People Solutions Specialist at Suntory Global Spirits (SGS), a renowned spirits company headquartered in New York, also a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. During nearly 4 years at SGS, she has been overseeing full employment cycles and key HR projects in APAC, including expatriates’ coordination. Her responsibilities span markets such as Taiwan, Korea, Thailand and also supports China, Singapore, and Vietnam when needed, reflecting her expertise in aligning global strategies with local needs as the role often involves interactions with regional Center of Excellence teams and market HRBPs to align strategies and practices, with commitment to fostering inclusive and effective work environment to optimize employe experience.
SGS has undergone cultural transformation in recent years as blended unique craftsmanship spirits from Suntory with American leadership styles from Jim Beam, leading to an exclusive model when “East meets West”. Jamie also highlighted a distinctive aspect of SGS’s work culture: the Japanese concept of Gemba, which translates to "the real place" in English. This principle involves observing consumers and retailers firsthand to gain insights into the market. “Sometimes employees will head out for drinks, not just to relax but also to engage in Gemba—understanding the dynamics of the market directly at the scene,” she explained. This hands-on approach illustrates SGS’s value to stay connected to the realities of its business while maintaining an engaging and collaborative work atmosphere.
Flexible work arrangements and results-driven focuses define Jamie’s work-life balance. “For me, work-life balance means stretching my time effectively,” Jamie shared. This includes being able to finish tasks at the office or working from home depending on necessity. Jamie’s role involves frequent interaction with international stakeholders, requiring her to adjust to their time zones. This flexibility not only accommodates the nature of Jamie’s work but also reflects the company’s understanding of the demands of a global workforce. By allowing employees to manage their schedules, SGS ensures that both productivity and work-life balance are maintained—a key factor that Jamie values in her role.
Reflecting on her studies at NSYSU’s GHRM MBA, Jamie credits the program’s emphasis on soft skills and intercultural collaboration as invaluable assets for her career. “The all-English environment and group projects with international peers were pivotal,” she assured. The program provided a unique opportunity for local Taiwanese students like Jamie to engage in an immersive, English-speaking environment. Unlike typical education settings, where such exposure is limited, the GHRM MBA fostered a space for continuous language practice and cross-cultural connection. Each discussion, group project, and collaboration required her to articulate ideas and negotiate solutions in English—an experience she describes as both demanding and transformative. This rigorous practice prepared her to thrive in roles requiring frequent communication with international stakeholders, a necessity in her current and past positions at multinational companies. “Forming the habit and overcoming the fear of speaking English are crucial,” Jamie said.
Jamie’s transition from academia to the professional world was smooth, thanks to her open mindset. “I never expected theories to be directly applicable in the workplace,” she noted. Instead, Jamie emphasized the importance of asking questions and seeking guidance when facing challenges. This approach also helped her during internships, where she tackled case studies and proposed solutions as part of the interview process. “Do your research, understand a company by knowing its products, services and reading relevant news before an interview,” she advised, as it’s important to prepare and present oneself confidently so as to highlight the value throughout the recruitment process.
She also offered a candid evaluation of Taiwan’s job market for international students: while international companies are more open to hiring non-local talents, Chinese fluency is often a decisive factor. “Unless you’re technically skilled, companies may hesitate to incur the additional cost of hiring foreign talents,” she said. Opportunities are more in industries like high-tech or software compared to retail or fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), where local expertise dominates. Jamie explained that those industries focus on selling goods in local markets, and thus rarely hire international talents due to business goals aiming at consumer needs and tight profit margins. Jamie stressed the importance of leveraging unique backgrounds to stand out in competitive markets.
Jamie’s journey from a GHRM MBA student to a senior HR specialist is a testament to the value of adaptability, continuous learning, and proactive career planning. Her story offers inspiration for current students and alumni navigating the complexities of global careers, particularly in Taiwan’s evolving job market. Thanks to Jamie’s open sharing, we could understand the job market from a different aspect. We wish her continued success in her career and look forward to more real-world sharing in the future.
