Market Activation Manager

Strategic Group; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Strategic Group in Boston, MA seeks a Market Activation Manager to drive in-market growth for Gallo’s new innovation wine brand, managing key accounts across on- and off-premise channels. You will build brand visibility, align with distributors, and execute strategic activations that boost trial and sales.

The ideal candidate brings strong local market knowledge, beverage category expertise, and experience navigating distributor partnerships, with the ability to balance sales, marketing, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree plus 3 years of Gallo winery marketing, sales, or distributor sales experience.
• Strong understanding of the local market and trade dynamics within the beverage alcohol industry.
• Experience managing distributor relationships.
• Ability to work remotely while meeting goals.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage key on- and off-premise account relationships.
• Execute brand activations, tastings, and trade initiatives.
• Partner closely with distributor sales teams to drive placements and visibility.
• Maintain knowledge of competitive landscape and category trends.
• Support POS placements and brand storytelling initiatives.
• Manage territory reporting, KPI tracking, and budget accountability.

Skills

Account management

Distributor relationships

Sales strategy

Budget management

Remote work

Education

Bachelor’s Degree + 3 years experience

High School Diploma + 7 years experience

Tools

PowerPoint

Excel

Word

Outlook

Job description

ABOUT STRATEGIC GROUP

Strategic Group is a full-scale marketing agency specializing in experiential programming and salessupport initiatives. For more than two decades, we’ve built a reputation for creating meaningfulconnections between brands, retail customers, and hard-to-reach consumers through innovative, insightdriven activations.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Market Activation Manager serves as the in-market growth driver for Gallo’s new innovation winebrand in Boston, MA, managing key accounts across both on- and off-premise channels. This role isresponsible for building brand visibility, strengthening distributor alignment, developing key accountrelationships, and executing activation strategies that drive trial and sales performance.

The ideal candidate possesses strong local market knowledge, category expertise, experience navigatingdistributor partnerships, and the ability to balance sales, marketing, and compliance within the beveragealcohol industry.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

The Market Activation Manager is responsible for strategic oversight, market growth, and relationshipbuilding. Core responsibilities include:

• Develop and manage key on- and off-premise account relationships.
• Execute brand activations, tastings, and trade initiatives.
• Partner closely with distributor sales teams to drive placements and visibility.
• Maintain knowledge of competitive landscape and category trends.
• Support POS placements and brand storytelling initiatives.
• Manage territory reporting, KPI tracking, and budget accountability.
• Ensure compliance with state and local beverage alcohol laws.
• Serve as the local brand expert within the Boston market.

REQUIREMENTS

Exhibits Intrapreneurship and Ownership Behaviors:

• Intrapreneurship involves thinking boldly, learning from mistakes, showing initiative, andencouraging innovation within an established company.
• Ownership reflects setting high expectations, driving candid discussion, and holding oneself andothers accountable for results.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree plus 3 years of Gallo winery marketing, sales, or distributor sales experienceOR Bachelor’s Degree plus 3 years of relevant Spirits, Brand Sales, Hospitality, Culinary,Mixology, Supplier/Wholesaler, Agency Ambassador, or Tasting Room experience OR HighSchool Diploma plus 7 years of relevant experience in the above fields.
• Strong understanding of the local market, key accounts, and trade dynamics within the beveragealcohol industry.
• Experience managing distributor relationships.
• Strong time management skills, and ability to manage a budget effectively.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work efficiently remotely.
• Creative abilities to develop programming opportunities.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, goal-oriented, dynamic environment.
• Comprehensive understanding of adult beverage practices and regulatory compliance.
• Valid driver’s license, safe driving record, and a reliable vehicle. Must pass an MVR check andobtain any required state driver’s license within 30 days of hire.
• Must be 21 years of age or older and able to obtain any required local or state liquor license.
• Proficiency in the entire Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and Outlook)
• Demonstrated passion and curiosity for wine/spirits, with a strong depth of product knowledge.
• Must be available to work a flexible schedule, including some nights and weekends as needed.
• Must be able to lift at least 50lbs and stand for long periods of time.

Preferred Qualifications

• One or more recognized wine/spirits certifications (e.g., WSET Level 1 & 2, Sommelier, orequivalent).
• Analytical and strategic planning capabilities.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with operational discipline.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with ability to write reports, correspondence, andpress releases, and to present to varied audiences with ease.
• Analytical ability to interpret data, calculate figures and percentages, and solve practical problemswith minimal standardization.
• Existing distributor, on premise, or retail account relationships are a plus.
• Experience representing premium wine or spirits brands.
• Established network in the Boston beverage industry.
• Strong presentation and relationship-building skills.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP AND EVALUATION

Reports directly to and is evaluated by SG’s Regional Manager of Emerging Brands. The above description is intended to Market Activation Manager. It is not to be construed as anexhaustive statement of essential functions, responsibilities, or requirements, nor should it be construed ascreating a contract of employment, which is terminable by the employee or Strategic Group at any timefor any reason.

TARGET MARKETS

Boston, MA