3-5+ years in spirits sales, brand development, or field marketing
Proven success in direct sales to On and Off-Premise accounts
Strong understanding of the three-tier distribution system
Ability to consistently execute brand standards
Experience leading distributor partnerships from the field
Thrives in fast-paced, performance-driven environments
Valid driver's license and willingness to travel extensively
Responsibilities
Sell IJW brands directly to On and Off-Premise customers
Execute brand building and educate staff in targeted accounts
Develop relationships with bartenders and bar managers to drive brand advocacy
Identify performance gaps and maximize opportunities in the market
Collaborate with distributor sales teams to prioritize activities
Maintain awareness of competitive pricing and consumer dynamics
Plan and execute tastings, promotions, and market blitzes
Benefits
401(k) with matching
Health, dental, and vision insurance
Health savings and flexible savings accounts
Short-term and long-term disability insurance
Paid time off
Referral program
Life insurance
Full Job Description
Summary:
This role is located in New York.
Position Overview:
The Business Development Manager is a newly created field-focused sales role responsible for driving distribution, visibility, and velocity of IJW Spirits' brands in On and Off-Premise accounts. This role is accountable for direct selling to customers, executing against brand objectives and educating the trade and consumers on IJW brands. Success requires competitiveness, self-starting, discipline, urgency, and a relentless focus on winning in the market.
Job Responsibilities:
Direct Sales Execution: Sell IJW brands directly to On and Off-Premise customers, recruit consumers through education and sampling, sell in distribution, secure menu placements, establish back-bar placement, ensure shelves are set to standard and achieve targeted display execution.
Off Premise Velocity Building: Execute brand building in targeted accounts, educate staff and buyers, evaluate pricing strategies, brand positioning, visibility and brand promotional merchandising.
On-Premise Velocity Building: Develop strong relationships with bartenders, bar managers, waitstaff and owners to drive drink features, cocktail menu placements, staff advocacy and education and build sustained brand pull-through.
Marketplace Leadership: Operate with urgency and discipline to out-execute competition, identify performance gaps and ensure opportunities are maximized in assigned territory.
Distributor Partnership and Education: Work closely with distributor sales teams to prioritize activities, lead by example in the field and ensure consistent execution against agreed-upon goals. Be present and visible in the market. Attend and motivate distributor personal at General Sales Meetings
Pricing & Competitive Awareness: Maintain a strong understanding of competitive pricing strategies and consumer dynamics to adjust to drive volume.
Programming & Activations: Plan and execute tastings, promotions, educations, events, ride-withs, and market blitzes that generate results, earn distributor support and build long-term brand momentum.
Reporting & Accountability:
Utilize provided systems to track performance, distribution and executional wins, and provide clear market intel and insights to sales and marketing leadership.
Qualifications:
3-5+ years of experience in spirits sales, brand development, or field marketing
Proven success selling directly to On and Off-Premise accounts
Strong understanding of the three-tier system
Demonstrated ability to execute brand standards consistently and without compromise
Experience working with distributor partners and leading from the field
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, performance-driven environment
Be able to motivate and inspire stakeholders (team members, distributors, customers, influencers, consumers)
Valid driver's license and ability to travel extensively within assigned territory
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Deep knowledge of the spirits category, competitive set, and on/off-premise dynamics
Exceptional selling, negotiation, and relationship-building skills
High level of industry curiosity, discipline, personal accountability, and attention to detail
Strong work ethic with a "do-the-work" mindset
Ability to "find a way", prioritize, execute, and deliver results with limited supervision
Confident communicator with the presence to influence customers and distributor partners
Comfortable being measured by execution and results. Be competitive.
