Market Development Spirits Specialist

About the Role

This candidate must be based in Chicago, IL. The Market Development Specialist serves as the dedicated in-market representative for a spirits portfolio within an assigned territory. This role is responsible for bringing the portfolio strategy to life by expanding distribution, increasing portfolio presence, building influential trade relationships, and identifying opportunities that drive sustainable growth. Working closely with distributor partners, key accounts, and trade stakeholders, the Specialist acts as a consultative seller, market expert, and portfolio advocate—leveraging data, local market knowledge, and strong relationships to influence decisions and drive commercial performance.

Success in this role requires strong business acumen, entrepreneurial thinking, relationship-building skills, and a passion for helping brands win in market.

Responsibilities

• Commercial Development & Distribution Growth
  • Drive distribution growth across a focused set of priority brands
  • Identify and secure new placement opportunities within target accounts
  • Increase menu presence, feature activity, back-bar visibility, and account penetration
  • Partner with distributor teams to influence account decisions and accelerate growth opportunities
  • Utilize sales data, market intelligence, and local insights to identify opportunities and prioritize efforts
  • Develop account-specific recommendations and action plans designed to improve performance
  • Execute against core portfolio priorities, including designated focus brands, seasonal initiatives, and/or market-specific opportunities
• Account Strategy & Relationship Management
  • Manage a defined universe of priority on-premise accounts within an assigned market
  • Build and maintain relationships with operators, bartenders, beverage directors, retail buyers, and distributor personnel
  • Establish and grow a core group of high-value accounts that drive long-term market impact
  • Serve as a trusted advisor and portfolio advocate within the local trade community
  • Conduct regular account visits and maintain consistent follow-up against identified opportunities
• Trade Advocacy & Portfolio Development
  • Deliver product education and training to trade and distributor partners
  • Build awareness, advocacy, and recommendation within the trade community
  • Support distributor education efforts and local selling initiatives
  • Identify opportunities to strengthen portfolio relevance and visibility within market
  • Execute local programming, events, and activation initiatives that support commercial objectives
• Market Intelligence & Business Planning
  • Analyze sales performance, distribution data, and account trends to identify opportunities and gaps
  • Monitor competitive activity and emerging market dynamics
  • Capture and communicate account feedback, market insights, and business recommendations
  • Maintain accurate reporting and KPI tracking
  • Provide actionable recommendations designed to improve market performance and accelerate growth
• Strategic Market Support
  • Participate in quarterly market blitzes and concentrated growth initiatives
  • Support priority business needs, distributor mandates, market launches, and portfolio priorities
  • Travel as needed to support regional and national initiatives (less than 25% of time)
  • Collaborate across markets to maximize impact and share best practices
• Physical Demands
  • Regularly lift, carry, push, and/or pull items weighing at least 15 pounds and up to 50 pounds
  • Perform physical tasks associated with the role, including moving materials, equipment, and supplies as needed
  • Ability to stand, walk, bend, stoop, reach, and perform repetitive motions for extended periods

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree preferred
• 3-4 years of beverage alcohol, hospitality, field sales, distributor, broker, or related commercial experience
• Strong understanding of the three-tier system and beverage alcohol landscape
• Existing relationships within the local trade community preferred
• Demonstrated ability to influence, sell, and build relationships
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to utilize data to identify opportunities and drive action
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills
• Self-starter with an entrepreneurial mindset and ability to work independently
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends as business needs require
• Must reside within assigned market and possess a valid driver’s license
• Manage administrative tasks with attention to meeting agency compliance guidelines and standards

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
• 401k with company match
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Bonus-eligible position with incentive opportunities

Pay

The base compensation range for this role is $70,000.00–$80,000.00 annually. The determination of what a specific employee in this job classification is paid depends on factors including, but not limited to, prior employment history, job-related skills and qualifications, length of service, brand program, and geographic location.

About the Company

Inspira is a brand relationship agency focused on cultivating deeper, long-term relationships between brands and consumers. We take an integrated approach to help create powerful, active communities and long-term loyalty. Since day one, we’ve partnered with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, donating a portion of our profits each year to fund pediatric cancer research.