Director of M.S. Walker Brands National On-Premise Accounts
Location: Remote office (United States candidates only) with significant travel throughout the US
Description:
The primary purpose of this role is to drive availability, visibility, velocity and profitability of our M.S. Walker Brands (MSWB) spirits and wine portfolio for the national and regional customer base of on-premise national and strategic accounts. This role will develop and drive strategic account plans that will deliver the results to profitably grow M.S. Walker Brands sales. This individual will work closely with key internal partners within the National and Home Market Sales, Brand Management, Creative Services, and other cross-functional teams to establish tailored customer and marketing activation plans that deliver for the customer, consumer, and M.S. Walker Brands. A key to success is effective and productive collaboration with the M.S. Walker Brands field teams and distributor management teams to ensure alignment on budgets, priority brands, and execution.
Average Monthly Time Management projections (based on 20 sales days/month): 80% Selling, 20% Administrative
Director of National On Premise Accounts Responsibilities:
- Develop and implement annual operating plan which includes financial, volume and distribution objectives
- Manage and achieve annual KPI goals
- Utilize data and trade marketing resources to develop and execute compelling, relevant ideas and programming to create an environment where MSWB’s brands will pull and deliver incremental value to the national customer base
- Contact new and existing customers to discuss their product needs through a relationship-based approach, including national chain on premise and regional on-premise customers
- Work with in-state wholesalers to coordinate on-premise marketing objectives and compliance with their management team
- Conduct educational meetings with our on-premise customers to enhance knowledge of the MSWB portfolio
- Evaluate ROI to participate and galvanize sales leads at national and regional on premise trade conferences and events
- Identify prospective customers by using business directories, following leads from existing clients, participating in organizations and clubs, and attending trade shows and conferences
- Manage wholesale product training for our national and regional on-premise placements and announcements
- Manage supplier relationships in concert with the MSWB Portfolio Management Team as they pertain to national and regional account business.
- Help create additional opportunities for the in-state wholesalers to promote and sell the MSWB portfolio, working with wholesale customer sales reps, specialists and managers as needed
- Quote distributor pricing and answer customer questions about products, prices, and availability by market
- Coordinate efforts with wholesale sales administration and purchasing on contract orders
- Understand a comprehensive knowledge of wine varietals and international wines in addition to all MSWB imported and owned spirits products, including current prices, vintages, regional identity, awards and press
- Strategize on how best to achieve sales and merchandising objectives monthly
- Maintain accurate historical account purchase information
- Achieve monthly, quarterly, and annual sales growth in line with stated overall sales goals
- Coordinate with existing wholesalers for national and regional on-premise account presentations and implementation
- Implement and manage national and regional on-premise chain budgets with prior approval
- Communicate with distributor management on inventory levels and out of stock situations due to possible fluctuations in demand
- Accomplish other duties as assigned
Relationship Management:
- Strengthen and build relationships with key customer(s) in the market and collaborate with division sales, marketing teams, and distributors to establish tailored marketing plans for accounts. Relationships will include buyer, brand, distributor and MSWB market managers and associated field team.
- Manage and communicate national level plans, programs, and approvals directly to the distributor and PR teams to ensure excellent execution at the outlet level.
- Conduct formal action-oriented quarterly meetings with key state and regional channel specific sales management to discuss fiscal progress, current opportunities, and forward-looking needs to support the business. Establish regular monthly check-in calls as well.
- Be the on-premise chain expert for supporting the broader team with best practices, effective sell stories and NABCA/Nielsen, VIPIDIG data to win and grow the overall on premise business.
Tracking / Metrics:
- Use VIPIDIG, Nielsen, and other tools to create account level execution and compliance metrics to track distributor and account performance.
- Conduct post analysis to validate ROI on programs executed
- Create reports and conduct monthly recaps for MSWB Executive Leadership
Knowledge/Skills Required:
- Minimum 10 years experience in distributor and supplier wine and spirits industry national and chain account sales management
- A demonstrated record of success in establishing and delivering sales goals and implementing strategic initiatives thru direct reports and leading teams to achieve objectives
- Ability to read, analyze, and interpret the most complex of documents
- Ability to effectively present information to top management and public groups
- Strong mathematical and analytical abilities
- Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently
- Ability to present to a large group
- Ability to prepare and present complex documents
- Ability to calculate gross profit margin and retail markup
- A significant level of organizational skills are required.
- Must have an equal level of comfort presenting both wines and spirits
- Bachelor's Degree (5+ years) in Marketing, Business Management, or related field
- Relationship building and selling skills a must
- A track record for effectively managing budgets and maximizing returns on investment
- An entrepreneurial approach to managing their business and experience working in a smaller team environment
- Fluent in Microsoft Office programs, especially Teams, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
- Fluent in Zoom for business and Microsoft OneDrive/OneNote
- Fluent in VIP/IDIG
Benefits:
We offer a Comprehensive Benefits Plan that includes the following:
- Medical & Dental Insurance
- Vision Coverage
- Paid-Time-Off Program
- Fidelity Investments 401k
- Disability, Life, Accident & Illness Insurance Packages
- Discounted Fitness Memberships
- Free & Discounted Work/Life Resources
- Career Advancement Opportunities
Who we are:
Founded in Boston in 1933, M.S. Walker is a 5th-generation, family-owned wine and spirits importer and distributor, a spirits bottler, and a national supplier. We serve On-Premise and Off-Premise establishments throughout the Northeast, with direct operations in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey and Rhode Island and brokerage operations in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. We represent a budding portfolio of wine and spirits nationwide, including our own brands, and we strive to offer the most prestigious portfolio in the industry. M.S. Walker has built our foundation and future on our people – our employees are truly our greatest asset. Our company boasts a diverse pool of exceptionally special team members who each bring their unique skills and experience to the organization.
Mission Statement:
Since 1933, our mission has been firmly rooted in our core values of family, integrity, respect, honesty, and hard work. We are deeply committed to upholding these principles for our team members, customers and suppliers alike. We seek to build and maintain long-lasting relationships based on trust and reliability. By honoring our heritage and embracing innovation, we aim to continuously improve and adapt to meet the evolving needs of our industry, while responsibly contributing to the communities we serve. Together, we strive to elevate the spirit of hospitality and foster a vibrant and respectful culture in all facets of the organization and beyond.
Pay Range: $135,000 to $210,000 annually commensurate with experience