At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead export relationships and drive sales across EMEA and Asia for our premium spirits.
- Company: Join a dynamic, fast-growing B Corp distillery with a focus on sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy free whisky, flexible working, and 25 days holiday per year.
- Other info: Significant travel opportunities and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make an impact in a thriving industry while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in export markets and strong commercial acumen required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
We are looking for an Export Manager on a fixed‑term 12‑month contract as maternity cover to lead our export relationships across EMEA and Asia. You will be responsible for nurturing and growing our existing relationships as well as identifying and bringing on board partners in new countries.
Role Responsibilities
- Relationship management
- Nurture and grow the relationships with our partners in our export markets to maximise sales across our spirits portfolio: lead quarterly reviews, input to future plans, help with issues, make things happen.
- Manage performance against agreed objectives / contracts.
- Agree annual sales objectives by product with all distributors.
- Obtain sales and stock reporting to optimise performance tracking and quarterly forecasting.
- Work with distributor sales and marketing teams to maximise sales opportunities, ensure success of new product launches and address any issues.
- Liaise between distributors and the internal Nc’nean teams to put plans into action, manage stock requirements and allocations and help with order logistics.
- Working closely with the Nc’nean global marketing team and our distributor partners, develop a marketing plan for each country to drive growth to meet our ambitions.
- Agree total country spend alongside sales targets and activity allocation across marketing levers.
- Manage marketing activities where relevant (e.g. key events, respond to press requests, organise distillery trips, turnkey UK / central campaigns).
- Ensure data is received on in‑market activity to determine ROI.
- Manage key in‑country relationships (e.g. with bloggers or trade customers).
- Attend consumer or trade fairs in country.
- Spend time in trade with export sales teams.
- Provide training on Nc’nean to distributors’ sales and marketing teams.
- Work closely with our European brand ambassador to make the most of her time across markets.
Key Skills
- Focus on results: have a good understanding of what constitutes success across all commercial disciplines (sales, consumer marketing, trade marketing).
- Excellent commercial acumen with a strong understanding of margins, value chains and how to create win‑win commercial outcomes.
- Self‑starter and experience of making things happen on their own (ideally within a small business).
- Organised, structured, articulate, personable.
- Excellent people person: ability to plan and liaise across multiple teams to keep all parties aligned.
- The ideal candidate would have experience working in export markets and managing distributors in the premium spirits sector.
- Relevant foreign languages are an advantage.
- Based in the UK but with significant travel required to current and potential markets (focused on Europe and Asia).
- Trips to distillery on west coast of Scotland to liaise with team and host guests.
- Working from home when in UK, with one day a week in shared office space in central London.
Start date: Late August or early September 2026
Fixed term contract for 12‑13 months
Perks and Benefits
- Free whisky allocation and staff discount.
- Flexibility to work from home with one day a week in shared office space in central London.
- Being part of a dynamic, fast‑growing business in an exciting category with the opportunity to grow and develop your career.
- Supporting a business that is a force for good (highest scoring B Corp distillery globally with a score of 147.6).
- Employee wellness scheme.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- 25 days holiday per year (plus English bank holidays).
Export Manager – Maternity Cover in London employer: Nc'nean Distillery
Contact Detail:
Nc'nean Distillery Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Export Manager – Maternity Cover in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend trade fairs, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy to reach out to potential partners or mentors. You never know who might help you land that dream job!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! When you get the chance to meet potential employers or partners, make sure to highlight your experience in managing export relationships and your commercial acumen. Share specific examples of how you've driven sales and nurtured partnerships.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! If you see a company you’d love to work for, don’t wait for them to post a job. Reach out directly, express your interest, and share how you can add value to their team. It shows initiative and could set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’re always on the lookout for passionate individuals who want to make a difference. By applying directly, you’ll ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll be one step closer to joining our amazing team!
We think you need these skills to ace Export Manager – Maternity Cover in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Export Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing relationships and driving sales in export markets, especially in the spirits sector. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've nurtured partnerships and achieved sales targets in the past. We love a good story!
Show Off Your Commercial Acumen: In your application, demonstrate your understanding of commercial success. Talk about how you've managed margins and created win-win outcomes in previous roles. We’re looking for someone who knows their stuff and can drive results!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, we love seeing applications come directly from our site!
How to prepare for a job interview at Nc'nean Distillery
✨Know Your Export Markets
Before the interview, dive deep into the export markets relevant to the role. Understand the key players, market trends, and challenges in EMEA and Asia. This knowledge will not only impress but also show your genuine interest in the position.
✨Showcase Relationship Management Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully nurtured relationships with partners or distributors in the past. Be ready to discuss specific strategies you used to maximise sales and resolve issues, as this is crucial for the Export Manager role.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Acumen
Brush up on your understanding of margins, value chains, and commercial outcomes. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve achieved win-win situations in previous roles, as this will highlight your fit for the position.
✨Be Ready for Practical Scenarios
Expect scenario-based questions where you might need to outline how you would handle stock management or develop a marketing plan for a new country. Practising these scenarios can help you articulate your thought process clearly during the interview.