Senior National Account Manager – Grocery (Craft Spirits)

Senior National Account Manager – Grocery (Craft Spirits)

Salary band: £45-55k plus share option scheme
Reporting to: Global Commercial Manager

About Us

Maverick Drinks is a rapidly growing distribution agency within the Atom Group (which also includes Masterofmalt.com) representing many exceptional craft and boutique spirits produced both in the UK, and abroad. Our mission is to drive change in the spirits industry by reducing our customers’ reliance on mainstream brands.  We help our customers to deliver better experiences and higher margins by giving consumers access to a higher quality product.  

You will get to lead the conversation with our grocery and eCommerce customers around our stable of multi-award-winning brands including Bathtub Gin and Rumbullion! (Ableforth’s), That Boutique-y Whisky Co, Drinks by the Dram, St George, FEW Spirits, New York Distilling and The Handmade Cocktail Co.

We are growing at an astronomical rate. Hundreds of percent year-on-year, and that growth is still accelerating. We’re in the process of a global roll-out programme, and our brands are about to hit the US market.

About the role

You will be responsible for driving growth in one of the most challenging and exciting channels.  Engaging a commercial mindset and harnessing your entrepreneurial spirit, you will drive distribution and growth of the Maverick Drinks brand portfolio across the national grocery channel.  You will leverage senior relationships to deliver the craft spirits category proposition, and execute trade and promotional marketing campaigns brilliantly.

Main purpose of the role:

• You will create the grocery and eCommerce strategy in line with the Maverick strategic objectives and develop joint business plans in order to deliver against the budgeted growth targets for your channel.
• You will manage the full commercial picture from accurate forecasting to A&P investment, and will ensure that all marketing activity drives a positive return on investment.
• As an expert on the craft spirits category and consumer you will share category trends and insights to facilitate decision making and product ranging, leading to a greater presence for our brands.
• Your primary focus is to drive distribution, visibility and rate of sale of the Maverick Drinks portfolio, and additionally to leverage these listings to extend our range within key customers.
• You will act as the eCommerce consultant for our online specialist retailers and manage the profitability of the customers accordingly.
• You will utilise the wider internal team, including our world class brand ambassadors, to deliver brand and category training to embed our brands and drive value for the customer.
• Working closely with our Head of Brand Development, you will identify future opportunities within your account base, and create compelling craft category propositions.
• Attending channel and customer trade shows, you will broaden your network and influence across your customer base to create ongoing opportunities for the business.

About you

• A proven track record of having managed one or more of the “Big 4” grocers.
• Knowledge and demonstrable experience of managing, planning and marketing with pure play eCommerce retailers.
• You will have delivered exceptional NPD launches within the spirits category.
• You will be confident in talking about category, trends and brands.
• Able to deliver mutual value at every level of the customer hierarchy, specifically with senior stakeholders.
• Strong commercial acumen and numeracy skills with the ability to identify value growth in all areas of the customer.
• You will possess a strong sense of purpose, be proactive and capable of working autonomously.  
• You will think outside the box and be able to challenge the status quo within the channel, be maverick.
• This role is homebased; however it will require nationwide travel and therefore a full UK driving licence is required.