Category Developer Manager

Breakthru Beverage Group•Middle River, MD

25d•$67,200 - $91,100•Remote

About The Position

The Manager, Category Developer is Responsible for managing the maximization of sales and marketing of supplier brands to a targeted account base through effective planning, selling, merchandising and communication that permits achievement of company and supplier objectives. This role is a combination of an acting Category Developer as well as managerial responsibilities for current employees in the Category Developer role.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in related field and/or equivalent training and work experience
Minimum of 7 years’ experience in alcohol beverage industry
Previous management experience
Must be a results-oriented professional with verbal/written communication skills using diplomacy and discretion as well as customer service skills
Ability to multi-task, work independently and/or within a team, pay attention to detail and meet deadlines
Strong business planning and collaboration skills
Knowledge of trade development fundamentals (supplier, sales, customer, and brand)
Ability to translate Strategy into relevant marketplace activity
Advanced PC skills using MS Office and other various computer programs including presentation software
Analytic and Reporting skills
Ability to work in fast-paced, high-volume, team environment
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to, stand, sit; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone.
Required to be able to operate a motor vehicle and possess a driver’s license.

Responsibilities

Lead, train, and coach a team of Category Developers
Support the Category Developers in promotion of their specific suppliers. Acting as a sounding board to assist with growth and promotion of the brand(s)
Maintains key accounts, by effectively communicating marketing plans, maintaining relationships with influencers (bartenders and promoters), presenting new products and cocktail and wine list offerings, and conducting business reviews as prescribed by management.
Provide support to the Category Developers when determining specific needs of individual accounts by analyzing account and surveying for opportunities.
Partner with the Category Developers to prepare and deliver professional sales presentations to customers by balancing the company’s priorities and customers’ needs to include selling new products, well and back bar placements and resets, drink and wine lists and promotions.
Ensures maximum brand visibility within accounts by maintaining account standards as determined by management (for example: using effective and current point of sale materials when appropriate).
Support Category Developers to ensure we are educating account staff on priority brands by administering instructional staff training seminars.
Maintains professional and industry knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks.
Maintains professional relationships with all suppliers by participating in effective supplier work with sales calls.
Obtains appropriate distribution of supplier brands throughout account base by presenting and selling based on the brands’ features and benefits.
Understands company pricing and product programming information monthly by reviewing and maintaining accurate and up to date records.
Understands competitive pricing and product programming by reviewing pricing schedules and surveying accounts.
Establishes merchandising objectives relative to brand priority for each account by understanding company priorities and defining POS needs to the supplier.
Produces product lists by working with CENTIV or in house graphic department.
Assist Sales Management and Trade Development in the development of account specific presentations as well as goals for volume, profit, distribution, and merchandising promotion execution.
Supports sales representatives as a training and information resource by presenting and sharing account trends and brand knowledge.
Facilitates accounts visits, dinners for dignitaries and supplier representatives by scheduling and preparing accounts to meet the expectations of suppliers and management.
Assists event-marketing manager by helping to organize and execute events and brand promotions to maximize brand visibility.
Other duties, as assigned by the jobholder’s supervisor, may also be required.