At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead brand strategy for a premium Italian wine and drive growth in the UK market.
- Company: Join the largest family-owned wine importer in the UK with a rich heritage.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, pension, and staff discounts on wine.
- Other info: Hybrid role with flexibility for events and tastings; great career development potential.
- Why this job: Shape the future of an iconic brand while enjoying international travel opportunities.
- Qualifications: Experience in brand management within the UK wine trade and strong wine knowledge.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 55000 £ per year.
We are seeking an experienced and commercially astute Senior Brand Manager to lead the UK brand strategy for one of our iconic Italian brands and drive future growth.
This is a fabulous opportunity to work closely with the winery's leadership team, including visits to their headquarters in Italy, and to play a pivotal role in shaping the long-term positioning and commercial success of the brand in the UK.
- Work with necessary colleagues to develop and deliver annual brand plans aligned with the winery's global strategy and UK commercial objectives
- Act as the primary marketing contact for the winery, managing regular communication, reporting, presentations and strategic updates
- Translate brand strategy into clear, commercially focused activation plans across on-trade and off-trade (independent and national) channels
- Manage the UK A&P budget, ensuring effective allocation, strong ROI, and alignment with commercial priorities
- Work closely with the events team to deliver impactful trade events and trips, including logistics, guest management, and content support
- Collaborate with the commercial team to align trade activity with brand and sales goals
- Analyse market and internal performance data to identify growth opportunities
- Deliver monthly internal and external reporting on key brand metrics (sales volume, A&P spend, stock holding), implementing corrective action where necessary
- Work cross-functionally with the wider marketing team to deliver agreed objectives
- Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners
- Represent the brand at tastings and events as a key UK ambassador
Proven experience as a Brand Manager or Senior Brand Manager within the UK wine trade - Strong understanding of the UK wine market, competitor landscape and consumer behaviour
- Experience managing multi-channel strategies across on-trade and independent retail
- Excellent wine knowledge with a passion for premium Italian wines
- Degree educated (Marketing, Business or related discipline preferred)
- WSET Level 2 minimum (higher qualifications advantageous)
- Exceptional organisational and project management skills with strong attention to detail
- Strategic thinker with hands‑on execution capability
- Confident, persuasive communicator with experience presenting brand plans and proposals
- Strong written and verbal communication skills; content creation experience beneficial
- Highly computer literate (Teams, Word, Excel, Power Point)
- Good Italian language skills, both written and verbal (desirable)
Working Pattern This is a full‑time role, working 37.5 hours per week, typically Monday to Friday between 9:00am and 5:30pm.
However, given the nature of our clients in the hospitality sector, flexibility is essential – evening and occasional weekend work will be required to support customer needs, events, and tastings.
Some activities may also involve international travel, so a valid passport is necessary.
Work Location This is a hybrid role where you will be required to work in head office at least 3 days a week.
We are proud to be the largest family‑owned and family‑run wine importer in the UK.
Since 1964, we have built an award‑winning portfolio of premium wines, representing progressive and fiercely independent wineries from around the world.
Our wines are proudly supplied to some of the UK's leading restaurants and retailers.
- Salary within the range £50,000 - £55,000 dependent on experience, plus bonus based on the achievement of KPIs
- 25 days annual leave rising to 26 days after 5 years' service and 27 days after 10 years' service, plus bank holidays
- Company pension
- Access to our Employee Assistance Programme
- Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Pay
- Contribution to Dental Costs
- Generous staff discount on our wine
- A bottle of wine on your birthday and Berkmann anniversary
- £500 referral scheme
We cannot consider your application if you do not have the legal right to work in the UK.
You must also satisfy the required knowledge and experience criteria detailed above.
Equal consideration will be given to all candidates, irrespective of their gender, race, disability, marital status, religion, age or sexuality.
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Brand Manager - Wine Portfolio Growth (Hybrid) employer: Berkmann Wine Cellars
Berkmann is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to join the largest family-owned wine importer in the UK. With a strong focus on employee growth and a supportive work culture, apprentices can expect comprehensive training, generous benefits including enhanced leave and discounts, and a collaborative environment that fosters communication and insight-driven decision-making. Located in a vibrant sector, this role not only provides valuable experience but also paves the way for a rewarding career in the drinks and hospitality industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Brand Manager - Wine Portfolio Growth (Hybrid)
✨Show Your Creative Side
In marketing communications, standing out is key. Get creative with your application! Consider designing a mini-campaign or pitch that highlights your skills and understanding of the brand. Tailor it for Berkmann Wine Cellars and show them what you can bring to the table.
✨Engage in Marketing Communities
Get involved in local or online marketing communications groups. Check out platforms like Meetup for events and workshops. Networking here can lead to hidden job openings and valuable insights into the industry trends—this is where we often discover what companies like Berkmann Wine Cellars are looking for.
✨Leverage Social Media
Use platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to showcase your passion for marketing communications. Share insights, articles, and your own content that resonates with the industry. Tagging or interacting with Berkmann Wine Cellars on these platforms can catch the eye of recruiters and show you're genuinely interested in them.
✨Attend Industry Events
Keep an eye out for marketing conferences and workshops. These are great places to meet potential employers face-to-face and make connections that could land you a full-time role at Berkmann Wine Cellars. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!
We think you need these skills to ace Brand Manager - Wine Portfolio Growth (Hybrid)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft an Impactful Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Focus on your passion for marketing communications and how your previous experiences can benefit Berkmann Wine Cellars. Make sure to mention specific campaigns or projects you’ve worked on that showcase your creativity and strategic thinking.
Showcase Your Writing Skills:As you're diving into a marketing communications role, your writing ability is crucial. Include samples of your work, like blog posts, press releases, or social media campaigns in your application. This lets us see your style and how you engage with different audiences.
Tailor Your CV to Marketing:Your CV should highlight relevant marketing skills and experiences! Include specific tools or platforms you’ve used, like Google Analytics or social media management software. Mention any certifications or workshops related to marketing that you've completed – they can give you an edge!
Demonstrate Your Understanding of Berkmann Wine Cellars:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about Berkmann Wine Cellars’s marketing approach or any recent campaigns that caught your attention. This can reveal your enthusiasm for the role and your genuine interest in joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Berkmann Wine Cellars
✨Showcase Your Creative Campaigns
Get ready to flaunt your portfolio! Include examples of previous marketing campaigns you've worked on, especially those that showcase your creativity and strategy. Recruiters at Berkmann Wine Cellars will be keen to see how you conceptualise and execute campaigns, so highlight any measurable outcomes to back up your claims.
✨Know Your Digital Tools Inside Out
If you’re heading into a marketing-communications role, make sure you're comfortable discussing key digital marketing tools like Google Analytics, HubSpot, or Hootsuite. Expect some technical questions about how you've used these tools in the past, as they'll want to gauge your hands-on experience and how you analyse data to drive marketing decisions.
✨Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions
At Berkmann Wine Cellars, they may throw some scenario-based questions your way, aimed at testing your problem-solving skills in real-life marketing situations. Think through potential challenges you’ve faced, how you navigated them, and be prepared to discuss your thought process and outcome.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Marketing
As you’re applying for a full-time position, show that you're not just looking for a job, but a career in marketing. Talk about the latest trends in marketing communications, your favourite campaigns, and why they inspire you. Your enthusiasm can really make you stand out and demonstrate that you’re committed to growing within the field.
