Account Development Specialist - Multi Cultural (Philadelphia)

Breakthru Beverage Group•North Wales, PA

About The Position

The Account Development Specialist is the sales lead for an assigned portfolio within a targeted account base. The role focuses on increasing share and velocity of the assigned category by selling the right brands into customer accounts and driving consumer sell-out through planning and executing brand activations. The specialist maintains strong relationships with supplier and account stakeholders, serves as an expert consultant, and participates in in-market events and education. The position is supplier-focused and requires strong wine and spirits knowledge. Applicants must be local to Philadelphia. Bilingual English/Spanish ability is a plus. The specialist spends 80% of working time in market and drives revenue and market share across assigned accounts. Responsibilities include developing category and marketing strategies, researching trends and portfolios, presenting new products, conducting monthly business reviews, planning consumer activations, gathering market insights, collaborating with sales teams, delivering training, establishing merchandising objectives, managing account plans and execution, developing beverage menus, educating account staff, and building distribution and category awareness. The role may focus on retail execution, such as facings, cold-box share, displays, and planogram placement, or on-premise execution, such as menu placement and visibility at the bar. The employee must handle beverage alcohol products responsibly and maintain safe, confidential, and compliant operations.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a related field and/or equivalent training and work experience.
Minimum of 3–5 years of sales or industry-related experience and category expertise for category-specific roles.
CSS Certification or WSET Spirits Level 2; or category-specific certifications in Whiskey, Tequila, Sake, or Beer; or fine wine accreditation, preferably WSET Level 2 or similar (CSW or Level II Court of Master Sommeliers).
Specialized knowledge of the category or responsibility supported by the role.
Valid driver's license and ability to operate a motor vehicle.
Proficient PC skills, including MS Office and other computer programs such as presentation software.
Results-oriented professional with verbal and written communication skills, diplomacy, discretion, and customer service skills.
Ability to multitask, work independently and/or within a team, pay attention to detail, and meet deadlines.
Analytical and reporting skills.
Sound judgment and problem-solving skills.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-volume team environment.
Applicants must be local to Philadelphia.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual English/Spanish ability.
On-premise or hospitality experience.
Strong understanding of or background in consumer engagement mechanics.
For Spirits Specialty: experience managing a beverage program or bartending/mixology.
For Spirits Specialty: experience with cocktail costing, inventory, menu creation, P&L analysis, budgeting, batching, and staff training.
For Spirits Specialty: proficient knowledge of elevated-execution beverage techniques, including frozen cocktails, infusions, smoking, barrel aging, clarifying, foams, and garnishes.
For Wine Specialty: previous experience with a wine supplier.
For Wine Specialty: in-depth understanding of wine styles, regions, grapes, aging potential, and flavor profiles.

Responsibilities

Drive revenue and market share for the assigned portfolio and account base, spending 80% of working time in market.
Serve as a subject-matter expert and resource in developing beverage and marketing strategies and growth plans for the assigned category or supplier.
Research trends, categories, and portfolios to help the group, division, and company meet supplier goals.
Present new products and beverage offerings and conduct monthly business reviews.
Plan high-end consumer activations within key accounts based on customer needs.
Deliver real-time market insights and gather, organize, and report field intelligence for assigned territory and categories.
Collaborate with on-premise and retail sales teams to develop solutions that drive category business and growth.
Develop and deliver training modules to sales teams, customers, and suppliers regarding sales trends.
Establish merchandising objectives and define point-of-sale needs in line with brand priorities and company priorities.
Increase share and velocity of the assigned category.
Own account plans and execute them in accordance with brand plans.
Obtain appropriate category distribution by presenting and selling brand features and benefits, including beverage menu development.
Conduct staff education and build the category.
Maintain and build relationships with key stakeholders and gatekeepers at assigned accounts.
Participate in supplier- and category-specific work-with sales calls.
Attend educational workshops, review professional publications, and build professional networks to maintain industry and category knowledge.
Obtain relevant advanced certifications for assigned brands or products and become a market expert and resource.
Maintain customer confidence and protect operations by keeping information confidential.
Maintain a safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations.
Drive market share through work in retail or on-premise accounts.
For retail accounts, focus on facings and placement, cold-box share, and additional displays and planogram placement.
For on-premise accounts, focus on menu placement, including featured items or cocktail lists, and customer visibility at the bar.
Handle beverage alcohol products responsibly and conduct safe and responsible interactions with the public.
Perform other duties as assigned by the jobholder's supervisor.