At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead brand strategy for iconic Italian wines and drive growth in the UK market.
- Company: Largest family-owned wine importer in the UK with an award-winning portfolio.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, pension, and staff discounts on wine.
- Other info: Hybrid role with opportunities for international travel and flexible working hours.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team and shape the future of premium Italian wines.
- 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 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. 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.
The Role
- You will be a key custodian of the brand in the UK market — balancing long‑term brand equity with short‑ and medium‑term commercial performance.
- You will bring a proven track record of driving brand distribution growth, delivering sales targets, and increasing profit contribution within the UK wine trade.
Key Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- 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.
About You
- 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, PowerPoint).
- 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.
Offer
- 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.
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.
Senior Brand Manager - Italy in London employer: Berkmann Wine Cellars
As the largest family-owned wine importer in the UK, we pride ourselves on our rich heritage and commitment to quality, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a competitive salary, enhanced leave, and unique perks like a staff discount on our premium wines and a bottle to celebrate your birthday. With opportunities for professional growth and the chance to engage directly with iconic Italian wineries, this role is perfect for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the wine industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Brand Manager - Italy in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the wine industry. Attend tastings, trade shows, and events to meet potential employers and showcase your passion for premium Italian wines.
✨Tip Number 2
Be ready to chat about your ideas! When you land that interview, come prepared with insights on brand strategies and market trends. Show them you know your stuff and can drive growth for their iconic brands.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After interviews or networking events, drop a quick thank-you email. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing applications directly from candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team. Plus, it gives you a better chance to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Brand Manager - Italy in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Wine:When you're writing your application, let your love for premium Italian wines shine through! We want to see that you’re not just experienced but genuinely excited about the brand and the industry.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in the UK wine trade. We’re looking for someone who can drive brand growth, so be specific about your achievements and how they relate to the role.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate strong written communication skills, so make sure your application reflects that with clear language and a logical structure.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this fabulous opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Berkmann Wine Cellars
✨Know Your Wines
Brush up on your knowledge of premium Italian wines and the specific brands you'll be managing. Be ready to discuss their unique selling points and how they fit into the UK market. This will show your passion and expertise, which is crucial for a Senior Brand Manager.
✨Understand the Market
Familiarise yourself with the current trends in the UK wine trade, including competitor strategies and consumer behaviour. Prepare to share insights on how you can leverage this knowledge to drive brand growth and distribution.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Be prepared to discuss your experience in developing and executing brand strategies. Think of specific examples where you've successfully balanced long-term brand equity with short-term commercial performance, as this is key for the role.
✨Communicate Effectively
Practice articulating your ideas clearly and persuasively. Since you'll be presenting brand plans and collaborating with various teams, strong communication skills are essential. Consider preparing a mock presentation to refine your delivery.