Category Developer - On-Premise Spirits (Denver)

Time Type: Full time | Remote Type: On-site | Location: Denver, Colorado

About the role

The Category Developer is the sales lead for their assigned portfolio within a targeted account base. They are focused on increasing share and velocity of their assigned commodity using tactics that help sell-in the right brands to customers and sell-out to consumers via planning and execution of brand activations. This role must maintain strong relationships with the key stakeholders/gatekeepers of the supplier accounts and be the ‘go-to’ consultant for the accounts. The Category Developer will be active with in-market events and education. This is an on-premise focused role supporting the Diageo spirits category.

Responsibilities

• Drive and deliver on sales and marketing goals of assigned category and brands.
• Serve as the expert and resource for the division or group in developing beverage and marketing strategies and plans for growth of assigned category.
• Research trends, category, and portfolio to ensure that the group or division and company meet supplier goals as established.
• Present new products and beverage offerings and conduct monthly business reviews.
• Plan high-end consumer activations within key accounts to elevate category awareness based on customer needs.
• Drive real-time market insights to inform, apply, unlock, and accelerate growth.
• Lead, organize, report, field intel, and insights for assigned territory and categories.
• Collaborate with on-premise & retail sales teams, developing creative solutions to help drive business and growth in assigned categories across their assigned territory.
• Develop and deliver training modules to the sales team, customer, and supplier regarding sales trends.
• Determine specific areas in which the category has opportunity for growth (Territories, Accounts, etc.).
• Establish merchandising objectives relative to brand priority for each account by understanding company priorities and defining POS needs to the supplier.
• Focus on increasing share and velocity of assigned category.
• Ownership of account plan and execution based on brand plans.
• Obtain appropriate distribution of category throughout account base by presenting and selling based on the brands’ features and benefits.
• Conduct staff education and building of the category.
• Maintain and build strong relationships with the key stakeholders/gatekeepers of the assigned accounts.
• Participate in supplier and category-specific work-with sales calls.
• Attend educational workshops, review professional publications, establish personal networks to build and maintain industry knowledge.
• Maintain customer confidence and protect operations by keeping information confidential.
• Maintain a safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations.
• Other duties, as assigned by the jobholder’s supervisor, may also be required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in related field and/or equivalent training and work experience.
• Minimum of 3 years in sales or industry-related experience.
• Deep knowledge of the category or responsibility that this role will support.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and be able to operate a motor vehicle.
• Proficient PC skills using MS Office and other various computer programs including presentation software.
• Results-oriented professional with strong 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.
• Analytic and reporting skills.
• Utilize sound judgement and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-volume, team environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• 5 years’ experience in industry or related and category expertise experience.
• CSS Certification or WSET Spirits level 2; or category-specific certifications (Whiskey or Tequila).
• On-premise/hospitality experience.
• Strong understanding or background of consumer engagement mechanics.

Physical Requirements

• Regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone.
• Required to operate a motor vehicle and possess a valid driver’s license.

Pay

Salary range: $56,280 - $76,200 plus a $6,000 car allowance. This position is eligible to participate in a bonus program, with metrics and level of participation determined annually.

Benefits

• Health care benefits.
• Life insurance.
• Time off benefits.
• Participation in the Company’s 401(k) plan.