Business Development Manager - Spirits.

Master of Malt; Tonbridge; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff discount

Job summary

Maverick Drinks is seeking a Partner Manager – On Trade (Brand Builder) to cover Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds, driving brand visibility and growing distribution for a premium spirits portfolio.

You will work at the intersection of sales and brand development, building strong customer partnerships, securing listings, and guiding activations. This is a predominantly field-based role requiring UK residency.

Qualifications

• Experience building on-trade relationships within premium spirits or FMCG.
• Proven track record of growing distribution and account performance.
• Experience with new business development across regional territories.
• Experience managing regional on-trade accounts, opening new premium spirits listings, and growing performance.
• Experience planning activations and managing budgets.
• Strong knowledge of craft spirits trends, category insights, and customer range decisions.
• Eligibility to work in the United Kingdom.
• Predominantly field-based role in covering Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds. Please only apply if you live in one of these areas.

Responsibilities

• Drive distribution and growth of the Maverick Drinks portfolio across assigned accounts.
• Act as a consultant to on-trade customers on craft spirits.
• Collaborate with trade marketing, brand ambassadors, and sales teams to increase distribution and brand awareness.
• Use industry networks to create new business opportunities and build a diverse customer base, including strategic lighthouse accounts.
• Develop territory strategies aligned with company objectives and target listings on back bars and cocktail menus.
• Manage account information and maintain a full view of customer activity.
• Plan and execute A&P investment and trade activations to deliver a positive return on investment.
• Share category trends and consumer insights to support range decisions and expand brand presence.

Skills

On-trade relationships

Distribution growth

New business development

Account management

Budget planning

Craft spirits trends

Job description

Maverick Drinks is an award-winning UK drinks company with a portfolio of craft, premium, and celebrity-owned brands, helping modern beverage brands grow through eCommerce expertise and strong retail, wholesale, and on-trade partnerships. Working across the spirits space, the business partners with modern beverage brands to build presence, strengthen customer relationships, and unlock growth across key channels.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape how the Maverick Drinks portfolio is represented across the on-trade. As a Partner Manager – On Trade (Brand Builder) covering Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds, you will be responsible for driving brand visibility, building strong customer partnerships and growing distribution across a portfolio of premium and award-winning drinks brands.

Working at the intersection of sales and brand development, you'll collaborate closely with customers, commercial teams and brand partners to identify opportunities, secure listings, and create meaningful brand presence in the market. You'll act as a trusted advisor to customers, helping them make informed, range-deciding decisions that deliver value for their business while supporting the continued growth of the Maverick Drinks portfolio.

Responsibilities

• Drive distribution and growth of the Maverick Drinks portfolio across assigned accounts.
• Act as a consultant to on-trade customers on craft spirits.
• Collaborate with trade marketing, brand ambassadors, and sales teams to increase distribution and brand awareness.
• Use industry networks to create new business opportunities and build a diverse customer base, including strategic lighthouse accounts.
• Develop territory strategies aligned with company objectives and target listings on back bars and cocktail menus.
• Manage account information and maintain a full view of customer activity.
• Plan and execute A&P investment and trade activations to deliver a positive return on investment.
• Share category trends and consumer insights to support range decisions and expand brand presence.

Requirements

• Experience building on-trade relationships within premium spirits or FMCG.
• Proven track record of growing distribution and account performance.
• Experience with new business development across regional territories.
• Experience managing regional on-trade accounts, opening new premium spirits listings, and growing performance across an existing territory.
• Experience planning activations and managing budgets.
• Strong knowledge of craft spirits trends, category insights, and customer range decisions.
• Eligibility to work in the United Kingdom.
• Predominantly field-based role in covering Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds. Please only apply if you live in one of these areas.

Benefits

We back curious, ambitious people who want to win. You’ll have real autonomy to run your area, challenge ideas and make decisions that directly impact the growth of a fast-scaling brand.

We move quickly, care deeply about results, and give high performers the trust and ownership to deliver. You’ll be accountable for outcomes, not activity.

There’s no politics or red tape here. Just smart people, high standards and the expectation that you show up, think commercially and get things done.

Alongside core benefits, you’ll get a generous staff discount on over 15,000 brand SKU's.