Market Development Spirits Specialist

Enthuse; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Doist seeks a Market Development Specialist based in San Francisco to drive distribution growth for the spirit portfolio within an assigned territory. You will expand presence, build trade relationships, and identify opportunities that accelerate sustainable growth, working with distributors, key accounts, and trade stakeholders.

This role requires strong business acumen, entrepreneurial mindset, and a consultative selling approach to influence decisions and deliver measurable market impact;

Qualifications

• Strong business acumen.
• Entrepreneurial thinking and initiative.
• Relationship-building skills with partners and customers.
• Passion for helping brands win in market.

Responsibilities

• Drive distribution growth for priority brands.
• Identify and secure new placement opportunities in target accounts.
• Increase menu presence, feature activity, and account penetration.
• Partner with distributor teams to influence decisions and accelerate growth.
• Utilize sales data, market intelligence, and local insights to identify opportunities.
• Develop account-specific recommendations and action plans to improve performance.
• Execute core portfolio priorities and market-specific opportunities.
• Travel as needed (less than 25% of time) to support regional initiatives.

Skills

Business acumen

Entrepreneurial thinking

Relationship-building

Consultative selling

Market knowledge

Job description

This candidate must be based San Francisco/ San Jose, CA The Market Development Specialist serves as the dedicated in-market representative for spirit’s portfolio within an assigned territory. This role is responsible for bringing the portfolio strategy to life by expanding distribution, increasing portfolio presence, building influential trade relationships, and identifying opportunities that drive sustainable growth. Working closely with distributor partners, key accounts, and trade stakeholders, the MDS acts as a consultative seller, market expert, and portfolio advocate — leveraging data, local market knowledge, and strong relationships to influence decisions and drive commercial performance. Success in this role requires strong business acumen, entrepreneurial thinking, relationship-building skills, and a passion for helping brands win in market.

Job responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

Commercial Development & Distribution Growth

• Drive distribution growth across a focused set of priority brands
• Identify and secure new placement opportunities within target accounts
• Increase menu presence, feature activity, back-bar visibility, and account penetration
• Partner with distributor teams to influence account decisions and accelerate growth opportunities
• Utilize sales data, market intelligence, and local insights to identify opportunities and prioritize efforts
• Develop account-specific recommendations and action plans designed to improve performance
• Execute against core portfolio priorities, including designated focus brands, seasonal initiatives and/or market-specific opportunities

Account Strategy & Relationship Management

• Manage a defined universe of priority on premise accounts within an assigned market
• Build and maintain relationships with operators, bartenders, beverage directors, retail buyers, and distributor personnel
• Establish and grow a core group of high-value accounts that drive long-term market impact
• Serve as a trusted advisor and portfolio advocate within the local trade community
• Conduct regular account visits and maintain consistent follow-up against identified opportunities

Trade Advocacy & Portfolio Development

• Deliver product education and training to trade and distributor partners
• Build awareness, advocacy, and recommendation within the trade community
• Support distributor education efforts and local selling initiatives
• Identify opportunities to strengthen portfolio relevance and visibility within market
• Execute local programming, events, and activation initiatives that support commercial objectives

Market Intelligence & Business Planning

• Analyze sales performance, distribution data, and account trends to identify opportunities and gaps
• Monitor competitive activity and emerging market dynamics
• Capture and communicate account feedback, market insights, and business recommendations
• Maintain accurate reporting and KPI tracking
• Provide actionable recommendations designed to improve market performance and accelerate growth

Strategic Market Support

• Participate in quarterly market blitzes and concentrated growth initiatives
• Support priority business needs, distributor mandates, market launches, and portfolio priorities
• Travel as needed to support regional and national initiatives (less than 25% of time)
• Collaborate across markets to maximize impact and share best practices

The physical demands of this role require the following:

• Must be able to regularly lift, carry, push, and/or pull items weighing at least 15 pounds and up to 50 pounds.
• Must be able to perform physical tasks associated with the role, including moving materials, equipment, and supplies as needed.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, stoop, reach, and perform repetitive motions for extended periods as required by the position.

The above is not a complete listing of all miscellaneous, incidental, or similar duties which may be required from day to day.