Key Account Manager

This role offers a fantastic opportunity to join one of the most exciting spirits companies in the World. Sazerac UK is one of the UK’s leading spirit distributors and brand builders representing an award-winning range of Sazerac owned and third-party agency spirit brands. Our enviable, diverse portfolio of award-winning brands include Fireball, Buffalo Trace, Tequila Rose, Southern Comfort, and Antica Sambuca.

We are looking for enthusiastic and driven individuals who have a solid understanding of the UK spirit’s market. Ideally, we are looking for candidates who have worked within the FMCG/ alcoholic beverages industry with business development experience. If you are looking to make your mark in a fast-paced environment and join a rapidly growing drinks company, then this is the role for you.

The Key Account Manager is focused on opening new business and driving brand distribution and volume by implementing commercial and activation programmes within Festivals and Events in the UK. They will build and manage a core number of key accounts, whilst gaining new business through wholesaler relationships to grow sales.

• Be accountable for directly managing the festival & events strategy to deliver incremental sales in new and existing customers.
• Strong management skills with good experience in leading tenders from planning, commercials, presentation skills and presenting to customers to deliver company objectives and KPI’s.
• Implement promotional activity that is in line with brand guidelines to engage, build and drive brand performance and awareness.
• Manage customer P&Ls to unlock and deliver.
• Achieve preferred partner status with key outlets by developing tailored solutions to meet consumer needs and establishing expert status through advice on the Spirits Category, proposing range by segmentation.
• Identifying opportunities via market intelligence and networking with customers.
• Ensure that customers are equipped to serve and promote the Brand to consumers and enable them to become champions/ambassadors for our brands.
• Record CRM data on to capture sales call, distribution, and promotional activity data.
• Build cross functional relationships to inspire and influence both internal and external stakeholder management.

• Strong communication.
• Broad knowledge of UK on trade and strong commercial experience ideally with a Spirits background and/or Festivals and Events.
• Comprehensive understanding and working knowledge of brand building with the ability to balance commercial delivery.
• Strong influencing and negotiation skills with the ability to develop and maintain relationships at all levels.
• Financial acumen.
• Strong understanding of balance between commercial delivery and brand building agenda.
• Strong IT skills and able to use data to interpret insights.
• Strong presentation skills and experience at delivering training / presentations.
• Previous experience in sales is essential.
• Ideally educated to degree level.

• Ability to demonstrate professionalism, credibility, trust, and respect both internally and externally.
• Creative with an entrepreneurial spirit and passion to build and develop the on-trade business.
• Strong relationship management skills.
• Ability to influence at a variety of levels.
• Adaptable and resilient.