This business is globally recognised as a leading independent Scotch Whisky specialist with a focus and flair for releasing the finest aged Single Cask Single malts and Small Batch bottlings. As they embark on an exciting future with significant strategic plans and projects, they are looking for a Business Development Manager with genuine enthusiasm, drive and a know-how to support and grow with their world-class team.
You will be responsible for the UK distribution network across all channels within a designated territory, with a core focus on improving and maintaining their market position within the UK to achieve financial growth.
Increasing sales, building key customer relationships, identifying business opportunities, negotiating and closing business deals and recruiting new customers.
You will be responsible for:
- Delivering a positive performance v budget on all key metrics (KPIs)
- Creation, development and implementation of regional marketing and business plans to ensure growth in the UK Territory.
- Primary management of Regional RTMs, Specialist Retailers and On Trade customers within territory.
- Setting activity and SMART sales targets for all customer meetings.
- Identifying new business opportunities.
- Attending industry events to generate new business leads.
- Acting as a spokesperson for Douglas Laing at UK events / meetings.
- Research and build relationships with new customers.
- Plan approaches and pitches - developing well thought-through proposals that meets the customer’s needs, concerns and objectives.
- Focus on customer retention by regular communication, presenting new products and value-added services / activity that enhance existing relationships.
- Work with Marketing to generate innovative ideas to meet customer needs.
- Present to and consult with the UK Sales Manager on market trends with a view to developing new services, products, and distribution channels.
- Identify opportunities for brand building activity and distribution channels that will lead to an increase in sale
- Submit monthly plan and present monthly progress reports v KPIs
- Forecasting and depletion plans.
- Monitor and manage T&E costs ensuring all reasonable steps are taken to assess cost v return on Investment.
You will have:
- Excellent communication, team working and interpersonal skills
- The ability to perform under pressure and work in a fast-paced environment
- Commercially focused
- Self-motivated, proactive and adaptable
- Strong analytical and negotiation skills
- Experienced at using Microsoft Office suite.
- Able to convey market and industry knowledge
- Ability to design and effectively implement both short-term and long-term business strategies
- Able to build effective professional working relationships with internal stakeholders, external customers & consumers.
This is an outstanding opportunity for a commercial and ambitious individual from the UK drinks industry, ideally with a passion for the Scotch Whisky category. You will enjoy working with some of the best talent in the industry, in an already established and growing business offering significant opportunities for personal and professional growth.