Job Description

ORGANIZATIONAL ALIGNMENT

The Associate Brand Manager reports directly to the Whiskies Brand Manager. 

This person will also work closely with the marketing team, the global supplier contacts, the national sales team and the Finance Ops team.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Associate Brand Manager will assist the CMO, Marketing Director and Brand Manager with development and execution of annual brand plans, the implementation of brand promotions and related projects, as well as admin support.

This position will also play a key role in global business relations with 3 of Hotaling’s largest whisky brands.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

GLOBAL BUSINESS RELATIONS

• As a key US liaison, this role has exposure and interaction with some of Hotaling’s most important clients so client management savvy is key
• This includes exceptional responsiveness and customer service, the ability to anticipate needs, navigate what is best for the business, strengthen relationships and support retention of top clients
• Manage supplier market visit itineraries and supplier trips abroad
• Prepare and share quarterly QBRs and monthly performance reports
• Conduct market analysis and translate information and data into strategic insights (brand challenges and opportunities) that motivate clients to invest in US specific market opportunities   
• Collaborate with FP&A and sales department to prepare regular updates and reports on brand performance.
• Compile & submit monthly reports/marketing recaps to each supplier.
• Support with other US questions, requests, concerns and coordination

MARKETING SUPPORT

• Contribute to the development and execution of consumer and trade marketing programs to drive growth and build brand equity including PR, events, advertising, social media, influencer partnerships, on and off trade and chain tools and promotions, merchandising, sampling, incentive trips, price strategies and trade education.
• Develop KPIs to track and measure program effectiveness, ensure reasonable ROI
• Field general customer inquiries relating to designated brands. 
• Assist with timely brand budgeting, invoice coding and processing, and supplier billbacks. 
• Support day to day brand logistics including new item/single cask launch support, allocations, and inventory
• Develop product expertise and a strong sense of market dynamics through training, market visits, and customer interactions.

COMMUNICATIONS

• Execute appropriate communication strategies for each brand including PR & digital, and experiential marketing programs, encouraging consumer, trade, media advocacy through meaningful/ memorable experiences.
• For events, manage external and internal staffing of events, creating event tools and POS, managing product delivery and all bar needs, and completing event recaps.
• Act as a Brand Ambassador for the US market; develop relationships with bartending community; gatekeepers and local market influencers. Be a brand champion and brand market expert. 
• Collaborate with the Brand Manager and PR agency to execute media relations plan.  This includes creative ideation, sourcing and sending assets to writers (cocktail recipes, bottle shots, etc), coordinate interviews and fact check as needed, manage media mailers & samples, coordinate staff & press/trade trips to suppliers, submitted products for competitions.
• Work with the Social Media agencies to execute the brand’s social media strategy and create and post accurate, relevant and meaningful content.

SALES SUPPORT

• Update brands on website as necessary: awards, cocktails, product info, etc.
• Work with local market teams to develop tools, collateral and quarterly wholesaler programs that drive results in target channels
• Lead the creation of POS for brands.  Manage POS inventory, IRG website sections, and sample area in SF warehouse.Distribute POS to the sales team as needed.
• Lead demo program execution with Mirus and other external agencies
• Participate in and/or selectively lead other assigned projects important for brand or portfolio development.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• A Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in Business and/or Marketing. 
• Minimum of 5+ years of marketing experience including brand management, activation, client management or similar.
• Alcohol beverages experience preferred, MBA a plus.   
• Proven experience in global business relations, customer service and leading brand activations
• Strategic agility and commerciality (think strategically and tactically) 
• Excellent project management and communication skills, attention to detail, sense of urgency and personal accountability.
• Ability to take direction and lead with autonomy
• High tolerance for multi-tasking, flexible and thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced executional environment. 
• Proficient in Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Word. 
• Broad time commitment including some nights.  Travel up to 20-30% of the time and may be on short notice. 
• Strong alignment to company culture and values. Personality fit with the ADC team is key.

Additional Information

The above statements describe the essential functions and qualifications needed for Associate Brand Manager has been prepared by Hotaling & Co., LLC to use in planning, staffing, budgeting and/or evaluation of employees. It also provides employees with a guide to the duties they are expected to perform. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees in this position. Actual job responsibilities may change at management's discretion, without notice.

Hotaling & Co., LLC is an at-will employer, which means that an employee may resign or Hotaling & Co., LLC may separate an employee from service with or without cause at any time for any reason. There is nothing written in this position description that guarantees continued employment. I have read the above position description and believe that it does accurately define the job.