Job Description

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Brand Development Manager (BDM) is a full-time, exempt position focused on building the Hotaling & Co. brands by calling on key on and off-premise accounts.  The position is focused on building and managing key account relationships, driving quality distribution and menu placements, and executing staff trainings and specialty events for the HAC portfolio.

REPORTING

The BDM reports directly to the Northern California Regional Sales Manager.

KEY ROLES:

DISTRIBUTION AND KEY ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT

• Accountable for driving high quality distribution of HAC brands in identified target accounts, and developing new prospects within assigned territory.
• Call on key accounts on an ongoing basis to review our brand priorities, execute events to drive sales at account level, and train account staff on brand attributes and selling points.
• Secure back-bar distribution, visibility and impactful menu placement plan in target accounts to enhance consumer pull and rate-of-sale.
• Guide accounts in effective merchandising through proper shelf management and brand visibility, and ensure brand marketing materials and displays are utilized within your assigned account base.
• Responsible for developing and maintaining sustainable records of sales achievements/quotas and an organized list and plan for both on and off premise accounts.

RELATIONSHIP DEVELOPMENT

• Build and maintain effective business relationships with the trade, bartending community, distributors, gatekeepers and local market influencers.
• Collaborate with distributor on brand and sales objectives, through ride-withs, team meetings, and general sales meetings.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

• Conduct product education / samplings, educate store personnel and consumers and complete post sampling recap.
• Develop and manage spirits master classes for key accounts and consumers, ensuring we are top of mind in the mixology/ bartending community and within our top tier accounts (both on and off-premise).

EVENTS & ACTIVATION

• Help source consumer and trade events to generate trial and awareness of our brands, while appropriately integrating the appropriate brand messaging and experience.
• Set up and attend brand building promotions, on premise and special events (retailer & consumer samplings, brand launches, cocktail contests, pairings, etc).
• Develop and promote specialty cocktails for brands, accounts, and PR efforts.

LOCAL MARKET INSIGHTS

• Monitor and report competitive activity, brand movement, pricing, and distribution penetration and highlight opportunities to Marketing and Sales team.

Qualifications

KEY REQUIREMENTS AND SKILLS

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Self-starting enthusiasm with can-do attitude.
• Able to work as part of a team and independently.
• Willingness to work full-time, non-traditional, late night hours as required and travel throughout assigned territory and occasionally beyond.
• Must be reliable, and possess a high level of work ethic to go above and beyond to accomplish goals.
• Proven ability to develop relationships and influence others (accounts, bartenders and distributor teams).
• Minimum 2 years of sales experience with a proven track record of achievement; people management a plus.
• Passion for artisanal and craft spirits.
• Resourceful, creative and organized with ability to manage timelines, budgets and event logistics
• Excellent communication and selling skills (both verbal and written).
• Strong computer skills, particularly in MS Office Suite
• Must have a valid driver’s license.
• Physical capabilities necessary to complete duties of the job.

Additional Information

PREFERRED SKILLS

• Recognized credibility in local mixology / bartending community a plus.
• On-premise sales, marketing or promotion experience in the local market.
• Existing relationships with top accounts in the local market.
• Clean driving record and good credit history.

The above statements describe the essential functions and qualifications needed for Northern California – East Bay, South Bay and Peninsula 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.