At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and accelerate growth in the on trade wholesale channel for premium drinks.
- Company: Join Amber Beverage UK, a dynamic partner for top-tier drinks brands.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, bonus potential, private healthcare, and 25 days holiday.
- Other info: Be part of a fast-paced environment with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the exciting world of premium drinks and brand building.
- Qualifications: Experience in UK wholesale or route to market within the drinks industry is essential.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: UK
Reporting to: UK Sales Director
About Amber Beverage UK (sister company to Stoli Group)
Amber Beverage UK is a leading UK route to market and brand building partner for premium and super premium drinks brands across grocery, wholesale, convenience, specialist retail, e-commerce and on trade. We combine national sales coverage with brand activation, marketing support and commercial execution to help brands grow in the UK market. We put the consumer at the heart of everything we do, combining insight led brand building with strong customer partnerships and commercial execution across every channel.
Our portfolio combines established international brands with premium and super premium growth brands across spirits, wine, non alcoholic and functional drinks. Key brands include Stoli, elit Vodka, Rooster Rojo, Fortaleza, El Tequileño, The Irishman, Flor de Caña, Portobello Road Gin, Lind & Lime Gin, ODK, Three Spirit and Faustino, one of the largest Rioja brands in the UK market.
The Role
This is a high visibility commercial role with responsibility for leading and accelerating one of the most important growth channels within Amber Beverage UK across national, regional and independent wholesale customers. The role is responsible for leading the wholesale and route to market strategy across the UK, shaping customer plans, promotional activity and channel priorities across the on trade wholesale channel.
You will manage and develop key partnerships across customers including but not limited to Matthew Clark, LWC Drinks and Venus Wine & Spirit Merchants, while building strong networks across wholesale sales teams and influencing key decision makers to drive distribution, visibility and depletion across the portfolio. The role works cross functionally across the business, partnering closely with Amber national account, field sales, marketing, finance and logistics teams to deliver growth, strong execution and best in class customer partnerships across the portfolio.
The role requires the ability to influence stakeholders at every level across the route to market, building strong relationships across commercial, sales, marketing, finance and field sales teams to support long term brand and customer growth. Success in the role will come from building distribution, visibility and rate of sale across the UK on trade wholesale channel.
The successful candidate will be responsible for delivering volume, NSV, margin and depletion targets across a large multi category portfolio, while managing the commercial and operational demands of forecasting, stock management, pricing, promotional phasing, invoicing, customer investment tracking and depletion analysis across 50+ SKUs.
Key Responsibilities
- Wholesale & Customer Growth
- Manage relationships across national, regional and independent wholesalers
- Build and deliver commercially strong customer business plans
- Drive distribution growth across priority brands and NPD
- Deliver profitable volume growth across the channel
- Negotiate pricing, promotional plans and customer investment
- Identify new opportunities across wholesale and route to market partners
- Work closely with customers to improve visibility, activation and rate of sale
- Route to Market & Execution
- Build activation plans that drive genuine sell through, not just stock loading
- Work closely with ABUK field sales, national accounts and wholesale sales teams to identify opportunities, strengthen connectivity and improve downstream execution across the route to market
- Work closely with wholesale marketing teams across e-commerce, digital and print activity to deliver best in class brand execution
- Support trade shows, trade tastings and activation activity
- Help deliver best in class execution standards across the route to market
- Commercial & Operational Management
- Manage forecasting and stock planning across the wholesale channel
- Work closely with supply chain and operations teams to maintain stock availability
- Monitor depletion, shipment and inventory trends across key customers
- Manage pricing, invoicing and promotional investment accurately
- Track customer profitability and ROI across activations and promotions
- Support monthly forecasting and latest estimate (LE) processes
- Identify risks and opportunities across the channel proactively
- Brand Building
- Work closely with brand teams on growth plans, activation priorities and route to market opportunities
- Support new product launches, customer presentations and data led commercial selling stories
- Build insight led customer presentations using depletion data, customer insight and market trends
- Represent Amber Beverage UK professionally and confidently within the trade
- Commercial Performance
- Deliver against volume, NSV, depletion and margin targets
- Forecast accurately and identify risks and opportunities early
- Manage customer investment responsibly with clear ROI focus
- Track performance against budget and latest estimate (LE)
- Use data and insight to improve decision making and commercial performance
Experience Required
- Proven experience managing UK wholesale or route to market customers within the drinks industry
- Strong understanding of the UK on trade wholesale landscape
- Experience working with national and regional wholesalers
- Commercially and financially aware with experience managing pricing, promotions and customer investment
- Experience building customer business plans and delivering against volume and margin targets
- Strong forecasting, planning and analytical capability
- Experience managing complex multi SKU portfolios
- Confident working cross functionally across sales, marketing, finance, operations and supply chain teams
- Strong presentation, communication and relationship building skills
- Comfortable operating autonomously in a fast moving commercial environment
- Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel nationally
The Type Of Person We're Looking For
- We are looking for a commercially driven and highly organised operator with strong relationship building skills and the ability to manage complexity across a large multi category portfolio.
- You should be:
- analytical and data led
- commercially aware
- confident managing customers and stakeholders at multiple levels
- comfortable operating at pace in a fast moving environment
- able to balance strategic thinking with hands on execution
- You will naturally:
- build strong relationships
- spot commercial opportunities quickly
- influence decision makers
- take ownership and follow through
- bring energy and momentum into the business
- You should also:
- care about execution and standards in market
- communicate confidently internally and externally
- genuinely enjoy brands, customers and the drinks industry
- be comfortable with regular nationwide travel across customers, depots, trade shows and industry events
This is an opportunity to play a significant role within one of the UK's most ambitious premium drinks businesses, helping shape the future growth of a leading portfolio across the on trade wholesale channel.
Package
- Competitive salary
- Performance related bonus up to 20%
- Car allowance
- Private healthcare
- 25 days holiday
- Company pension
- Product allowance
- Career development opportunities within an international premium drinks business
Sales Manager employer: Stoli® Group
Amber Beverage UK is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises employee growth and development within the premium drinks industry. With competitive salaries, performance-related bonuses, and comprehensive benefits including private healthcare and a generous holiday allowance, employees are empowered to thrive in their roles while contributing to the success of iconic brands. The collaborative environment fosters innovation and strong partnerships, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in a fast-paced market.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sales Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the drinks industry. Attend trade shows, tastings, and local events to meet potential employers and make a lasting impression.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your knowledge! When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or industry professionals, share insights about market trends and brand strategies. This will demonstrate your passion and expertise.
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after meetings or interviews. A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. Mention something specific from your conversation to show you were engaged and interested.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Don’t miss out!
We think you need these skills to ace Sales Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Sales Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing wholesale customers and any relevant achievements in the drinks industry. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share your passion for brand building and your understanding of the UK on trade wholesale landscape. Let your personality shine through!
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since the role requires strong analytical capabilities, mention specific examples where you've used data to drive decisions or improve performance. We love candidates who can back up their claims with solid evidence!
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Stoli® Group
✨Know Your Brands
Before the interview, make sure you’re well-versed in Amber Beverage UK's portfolio. Familiarise yourself with their key brands like Stoli and El Tequileño. Being able to discuss these brands and their market positioning will show your genuine interest and understanding of the company.
✨Demonstrate Your Commercial Acumen
Prepare to discuss your experience managing wholesale or route to market customers. Bring specific examples of how you've driven distribution growth or improved visibility for brands in the past. This will highlight your ability to deliver against volume and margin targets.
✨Build Relationships on the Spot
Since relationship building is crucial for this role, think of ways to demonstrate your interpersonal skills during the interview. Share stories that showcase your ability to influence stakeholders and build strong partnerships, especially in a fast-paced environment.
✨Be Data-Driven
Show that you can use data to inform decisions. Prepare to discuss how you've used analytics in previous roles to track performance, manage stock, or forecast sales. This will align with the company's focus on insight-led brand building and commercial execution.
