Brand Manager

Brand Manager
Based: North South Wines office, West Drayton
Salary: Commensurate with experience
Reporting to: Buying and Marketing Director
Start Date: 1 September 2019

Company Background
North South Wines is a young, dynamic, forward thinking wine distributor. We set up in 2014 with a view to do things differently. We are not your average wine distributor. We are energetic and creative with the drive to make things happen. We also have a different model. Alongside our UK shareholders we are part owned by 2 wineries meaning we can offer direct supply, better quality and better value. We aim to deliver WOW through service.

Job Description
Due to rapid growth of the business, and of NSW’s branded portfolio, we are looking for an experienced brand manager to join the team. The brand manager will be responsible for brand management of all key brands, NSW’s social media strategy, Independents team sales support and producer and customer winery visits.

Responsibilities

Brand Management
•    Full responsibility for production and implementation of creative and innovative brand plans for La Gioiosa, Villa Sandi, KWV, De Bortoli, The Wine People – Purato, Cortese, Santa Tresa, Belle & Co., Reh Kendermann.
•    Devise channel specific campaigns, through specialist knowledge of each trade channel, to drive sales and achieve growth. Identify opportunities for new distribution.
•    Communicate brand plans to NSW sales team and where relevant, key customers.
•    Ensure sales team are fully trained on brand USPs and competitor set.
•    Monitor performance of brand sales and profitability. Motivate and excite the sales team to deliver targets.
•    Responsibility for monthly reporting of brand performance to brand owner.
•    Evaluate effectiveness of spend ROI and provide feedback and recommendations for action.
•    Be continuously alert to changes, issues and opportunities in the broader market, evaluate and recommend solutions and implement changes to agreed plans to optimise return.
•    Management of brand marketing budgets, in conjunction with the Buying and Marketing Director.
•    Brand Ambassador for given portfolio of brands, representing the wines at tastings and events.
•    Responsibility for management of brand PR agencies.
•    Creation of brand marketing materials and sales tools including POS.
•    Point of contact for generic bodies e.g. Wines of South Africa.

Social Media
•    Responsibility for creation and activation of NSW Social Media plan with an aim to increase engagement with our customers to:
-Build NSW’s reputation as a dynamic and forward-thinking wine distributor.
-Communicate NSW’s areas of specialism and green credentials.
-Raise awareness of key brands.

Producer Visits and Customer Winery Visits
•    Create and distribute Producer visit itineraries in liaison with the sales team ensuring the Producers time is well spent and focussed on developing new sales opportunities. Book travel and accommodation for Producers where required. 
•    Arrange customer visits to wineries for Independent and Regional On-Trade Wholesale sector ensuring customers attending will deliver ROI for producers funding the visit. Book travel and accommodation where required. Send itinerary to customers. 
•    Work with the sales team to ensure all new business leads are followed up post producer visits and customer visits to wineries.
•    Evaluation of visits and report back to producer to ensure ROI.

Independent Sales Team Support
•    Provide Independents Team sales support. Includes a variety of tasks including the production of tasting booklets, Ad artwork, POS, posters, flyers, completing new line forms and other ad-hoc tasks.

Skills and Experience
•    Extensive experience of Brand Management in similar business.
•    Ability to produce creative and innovative brand plans to varying budgets
•    Broad knowledge of multiple trade channels including Impulse (Cash and Carry and Convenience), Independents, Regional On-Trade Wholesale and Dot.com
•    Creative and Commercial thinker with ability to spot and drive new business opportunities.
•    Excellent communicator with ability to adapt to different cultures and personalities.
•    Extremely organised and ability to multi-task.
•    Ability to influence internal stakeholders to deliver results.
•    A strong team player with a can-do attitude and excellent work ethic.
•    Ability to prioritise long term projects whilst meeting short term demands.
•    Excellent oral, written communication and presentation skills. 
•    IT literate – Excel and PowerPoint essential.
•    Strong attention to detail.
•    WSET qualifications preferred but not essential.

Your commitment to the role
•    I make things happen
•    I have boundless energy
•    I deliver WOW through service
•    I have a collaborative pitch in attitude
•    I like to work in a positive team environment
•    I am a good communicator 
•    I am adventurous and creative
•    I learn from my mistakes, own up to them and do things better next time
•    I am passionate, optimistic and determined
•    I have fun at work

Please send your application including CV to jobs@northsouthwines.co.uk