Brand Development 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 includes Buffalo Trace, the UK’s largest American whiskey liqueur brand, Southern Comfort, and the number 1 sambuca brand in the UK, Antica Sambuca.

We are looking for a passionate and driven individual who has 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 Sales or Marketing experience. If you’re looking to make your mark in a fast-paced environment and join a rapidly growing drinks company, then this very special opportunity might just be for you.

Job Purpose: Building brands by implementing activation programmes across on-trade outlets in the Southwest with a focus on Bristol. Delivering exceptional performance and execution, recruiting consumers through improving distribution and menu visibility of the Sazerac portfolio.

Responsibilities & Critical Success Measures:

• Target specific high opportunity accounts and groups within the On-Trade sector.
• Build and grow relationships to increase meaningful distribution, menu share and house pour agreements.
• Spend time with end users in developing a ‘need and demand’ for your portfolio.
• Work with wholesalers and their sales teams to educate and share information.
• Clients are split between approximately 40% new and 60% existing business (end users).
• Showcase our portfolio range and key brands in the right venues working towards brand plans and driving rate of sale.
• Decision makers can be F & B professionals, through to owners, bartenders and procurement.
• Be flexible in your time and sales approach; events, tastings, evenings and/or weekends will be necessary.
• Averaging a minimum of 6 appointments per day, 4 days a week.
• Based at home, you will travel throughout the region. Located centrally to core cities or willing to relocate.

Planning & Organising: Demonstrates an ability to plan, organise and execute activities using own initiative.

Communication: Expresses self in a clear, succinct, and compelling manner in both individual and group situations.

Customer/Consumer Commitment: Knowing, understanding and delivering a high level of quality service to both internal and external customers.

Business Awareness: Has a comprehensive understanding of own business area and its impact on the wider organisation.

Action Oriented: Has a “can do” attitude, to positively influence towards the team, channel, and business.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Have a proven track record in proactive B2B sales, having sold to a wide range of decision makers.
• A passion and love for the drinks industry with an awareness/interest in new market trends and consumer insight.
• Existing knowledge and relationships with on-trade and wholesale customers within the geographical area - preferred but not essential.
• Worked for a manufacturer selling either direct to end users or via distribution partners.
• Ran a territory and your own diary, making appointments, generating leads, journey planning, etc.
• Operate with integrity and professionalism.
• Be tenacious and creative with your new business approach.
• Have worked collaboratively with clients to create ‘win-win’ partnerships.
• Worked within the food & beverage sector – preferred.
• Networked throughout an organisation (both internal & external) – NPD teams, supply chain, R&D, production, quality, etc. – preferred.

Personal Characteristics:

• A highly passionate and motivated team member.
• A key team player, with an understanding of the importance of an individual in team culture.
• 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 from the bartender, manager, and owner.