Description:
The Customer Development Specialist is responsible for driving business and commercial performance for a spirits portfolio within a designated set of key off premise independent and chain accounts.
Success is defined as building strong partnerships with the most influential customers leading to commercial growth within our portfolio. This role will focus on expanding education, awareness, and affinity for our world-renowned brands while executing best-in-class retail execution effectively and consistently.
This role works cross functionally with various parties to ensure the successful sale, volume growth, distribution, brand presence, and positioning of the supplier’s portfolio.
Core Responsibilities/Activities:
- Ownership of commercial performance within assigned off premise accounts
- Foster relationships with off premise decision makers to influence brand affinity with intent, imagining creative and compliant ways to exceed commercial and execution targets
- Expand portfolio distribution wherever, and whenever possible
- Activate retail merchandising tactics to ensure all covered accounts are at or exceeding minimum off premise brand standards
- Pre plan with Agency Management to ensure the right efforts are put against the right brands within the right accounts. Manage and maintain an effective call frequency for the given territory
- Drive commercial success – specifically rate of sale - through upselling, securing multiple SKU distribution, drive visibility and displays
- Present and participate in client, distributor, and customer facing meetings at various scale
- Ability to do retail / beverage math. Possess a comfort with talking numbers and margins with customers
- Build bonds and connections between our portfolio and trade by leveraging the Agency network for cross channel training, education, and experiential (e.g., tequila dinners, launch events, etc.), influence and inspire participation and engagement
- Drive share of floor and shelf through the execution of customer-led trade programs
- Utilize on-line database and systems to track all territory progress
- Maintain open communication with field and HQ
- Manage budget and maintain records for monthly reconciliation
- Ensure compliance of all alcoholic beverage regulations
The above is not a complete listing of all miscellaneous, incidental, or similar duties which may be required from day to day.
What Success Looks Like:
- Marked improvement for portfolio performance within identified accounts
- Exceeding targets for executing identified KPIs within the off premise environment
- Sell in and build brand displays and trade marketing programs according to off premise standards
- Demonstrated creativity with finding new ways to educate and engage with our customers
- Effectively communicate local progress and success stories to both agency and client stakeholders, ensuring transparency and comprehension of achievements within the state
- High rate of added value across territory (going over and above with our clients, customers, and partners in the field)
Qualifications
- Must be 21 years or older
- Candidates must possess strong influencing and people skills
- Ideal candidates possess 3-5 years of professional experience, with a minimum 2-3 years demonstrated sales experience
- Beer, wine, spirits, agency, or CPG is a plus
- Adept at communicating clearly and concisely with clients, partners, colleagues, and other professional audiences
- Associates Degree required; Bachelor’s Degree preferred
- Familiarity with VIP, Trax, Repsly preferred but not required
- Highly proficient in Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint
- Strong budget management skills
- Proven ability to meet deadlines, juggle multiple projects, and work independently
- Must have valid driver's license, with clean driving record/background check
- Must be willing to travel within assigned sales region
- Must be able to lift and move cases of product frequently
- Must be able to climb, kneel, and stoop to arrange and display point of sale
- Must be willing to work weekends and holidays, as needed