The opportunity
There's a new generation of premium spirits brands doing things differently - built on provenance, flavour, and story rather than marketing spend. And they need someone who can walk into the right venues, start the right conversations, and make them stick.
This is a Central London On Trade BDM role with a fast-growing independent spirits distributor. Small team, serious portfolio, real autonomy. If you want to be a cog in a corporate machine, this isn't the one. If you want to actually own something - territory, relationships, results - keep reading.
The portfolio
You'll be working across a handpicked range of premium spirits that have been deliberately chosen: multi-award-winning gin, an additive-free sustainable tequila, a world-class independent whisky bottler, and more. These are brands with genuine stories, strong quality credentials, and real demand in the right venues. Your job is to put them in front of the right people and build the kind of listings that last.
What you'll be doing
- Developing and managing a portfolio of on-trade accounts- restaurants, hotel bars, cocktail venues, specialist whisky accounts
- Prospecting and winning new business across your territory
- Building deep, trusted relationships with buyers, bartenders, and outlet managers
- Delivering brand education and advocacy at venue level - you'll know these products inside out
- Working closely with the founder and team to shape channel strategy and feed commercial insight back into the business
- Representing the portfolio at trade tastings and industry events
What we're looking for
You'll have a track record in on-trade sales in premium drinks, you understand the difference between making a listing and building a brand, and you care about which one you're doing. You're comfortable working independently, managing your own diary, and taking ownership of your numbers.
Beyond the CV, we want someone who genuinely loves the category, someone who talks about spirits the way our brands are built: with curiosity, knowledge, and a bit of character.
- Demonstrable on-trade sales experience in premium spirits
- Established network across hospitality and/or specialist retail
- Commercial acumen - you understand margin, ranging, and what makes a listing sustainable
- Strong communicator and natural relationship builder
- Self-starter who doesn't need hand-holding but knows when to collaborate
Why this role
Independent distributors move faster, think smarter, and treat their people like adults. You'll have real influence over how the business develops, and you'll be working with brands that are genuinely exciting to talk about.
This is the kind of role that builds careers, not just CVs.