Category Development Specialist - Bergen County

Join the team at New Jersey's largest wine and spirits distributor! At Allied Beverage Group, we're proud of our dynamic, family-based culture and our role in keeping the beverage industry moving. If you're looking for a great company with great people—this is the place to be!

About the role

The Category Development Specialist will be responsible for Hemp Direct Sales, RTD, Low and No Activation, including achieving customer objectives in both the Off & On Premise, Key Performance Indicators (KPI), and targets. This role involves implementing strategies and tactics while managing customers to achieve profitable long-term growth for Hemp, Low/No Alcohol brands within the portfolio.

Responsibilities

• Deliver on volume and profitability objectives by brand for the THC Hemp Beverage Portfolio.
• Ensure compliance with Corporate Hemp / RTD / Low / No Alcohol Brand Strategies.
• Increase the quality and quantity of accepted innovative business-building proposals.
• Manage Cold Box and Category Management by understanding best practices and applying comprehensive market, product, and consumer information to generate brand and volume-building activities.
• Increase the number of accounts where Allied is considered a trusted advisor by:
  • Becoming part of customers' planning processes.
  • Obtaining preferred supplier status (right of first refusal).
  • Understanding and delivering on account goals, strategies, and opportunities.
  • Setting goals, measuring, evaluating, and adapting to changes.
• Meet and exceed customer expectations on fundamental business needs.
• Identify and adopt key account management best practices beyond customer and industry standards.
• Lead the development of annual plans for key accounts that reflect agreed brand and customer strategies and support business goals.
• Develop preferred supplier status with accounts by participating in their planning processes.
• Communicate market, brand, and consumer developments, trends, and best practices inside and outside the category/industry.
• Influence Allied Beverage Group sales teams to develop account-specific programs aligned with RTD / Low / No Alcohol brand strategies using local consumer insights and category trends.
• Recommend suitable account-specific brand and volume mix targets.
• Oversee account performance and implement corrective business-building actions.
• Proactively participate in strategy briefing sessions and provide continuous feedback on execution and program effectiveness.
• Ensure delivery of specific Category Management guidelines and principles to strategic account category manager resources.
• Set and achieve KPIs (Depletions, Distribution, Ads, Displays, Features, Shelf Execution, Digital Posts, Menu Placement, Wells, House Pours, POS, Permanent Signage, etc.).
• Engage in relationship-building activities with buyers for all key accounts.
• Conduct weekly pre-plans and recaps to achieve Hemp Beverage Sales and Distribution KPIs.
• Achieve monthly KPI goals and communicate/manage targets.
• Collaborate with Allied Beverage Group Managers on key priorities, including:
  • Weekly check-ins on targets and business reviews.
  • Opportunity discussions and supplier ride-withs.
  • Key Account Manager ride-withs.
  • Presenting updates at weekly team meetings.
  • Attending events.
• Manage a core list of Off Premise accounts and a geographic area for the portfolio of brands.
• Plan and prepare account activities and business reviews.
• Activate Hemp / RTD / Low / No Alcohol Brand Marketing Programs.
• Execute Retail Controllables and Brand Standards at L3F Account audits.
• Assess and implement account needs, including consumer sampling and staff education.
• Manage digital posts.

Qualifications

• 1-2 years of sales experience.
• Budget, sales, and marketing experience.
• 4-year college degree or equivalent.
• Comprehensive understanding of Hemp / RTD / Low / No Alcohol brands, including knowledge of categories, basic production, and service.
• Ability to adapt and assist a variety of internal customer groups and varying personality types.
• Strong negotiation skills and an entrepreneurial spirit.
• Ability to create and sell innovative ideas.
• Goal-oriented, focused, and assertive individual who needs little direction or supervision.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including early mornings, evenings, and/or weekends.
• Ability to participate in business meetings, company initiatives, and events upon request.
• Experience managing complex customer relationships.
• Strong sales skills, superior negotiation, and influencing skills.
• Leadership capabilities with strong presentation and interpersonal skills.
• Proficient in fact-based selling and analysis of syndicated consumer data (IRI, Nielsen).
• Basic brand marketing and finance skills.
• Basic computer skills (Excel, Access, Word, PowerPoint, etc.).

Pay

The starting salary for this role is $60,000.

Benefits

• Discretionary bonus eligibility.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including:
  • Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance.
  • 401K plan with company match.
  • Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability.
  • Flexible Spending Account.
  • Employee Assistance Program.
  • Pet Insurance Plan.
• Associate recognition and discounts with several vendors.
• Over 9,000 professional development courses available to employees at any time.