Vice President, Business Development – Spirits

Breakthru Beverage Group; Middle River (MD); Hybrid; USD 200,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Breakthru Beverage Group is seeking a senior Commercial leader to drive supplier relationships and align market strategies across multiple regions. You will shape the commercial agenda, influence cross-functional teams, and push execution of branding and sales initiatives.

The role requires extensive experience in beverage distribution, strong negotiation skills, and a strategic mindset to identify growth across diverse markets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field and/or equivalent training and work experience.
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in finance, commercial, sales with significant leadership experience in a beverage alcohol distributor or supplier tier.
• Demonstrated multi-market sales experience with responsibility for leading, influencing, or driving commercial performance across multiple markets.
• Proven ability to translate enterprise or supplier strategies into market-level sales plans and drive consistent execution.
• Advanced PC skills including MS Office and related software.

Responsibilities

• Develop collaborative relationships with BBG Regional Presidents and General Managers to align supplier goals and drive activation across markets.
• Identify opportunities for resource efficiency and investment strategies.
• Collaborate with Supplier Sales, Marketing, Strategy, Finance, Purchasing, HR, Digital and PR teams.
• Negotiate supplier marketing opportunities such as launches, test markets, and consumer research.
• Identify growth drivers and communicate trends to suppliers; propose quick actions.

Skills

Multi-market sales leadership

Strategic partnership development

Market analysis

Negotiation

MS Office proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

MBA (preferred)

Tools

SAP

DSS

HANA

PowerPoint

Job description

Cicero IL USA

Phoenix AZ USA

Las Vegas NV USA

Middle River MD USA

Denver CO USA

Tampa, Florida

Full time

R0043688

Time Type

Full time

Remote Type

Job Family Group

Commercial

Job Description Summary

To build outstanding sales & marketing capabilities throughout the organization, which enhance and champion BBG’s corporate relationships with wine, spirits & beer suppliers. Provide the BBG business with strategic short and long-term direction based upon supplier sales, marketing and corporate strategies. Enhance BBG’s position as preferred partner through superior performance and comprehensive activation. Maintain and strengthen the existing alignment of BBG and supplier cultures and drive the performance plan better than the supplier’s national average. Leverage multi-market sales experience and a deep understanding of market-level differences to drive consistent execution, identify growth opportunities, and scale supplier strategies across BBG’s markets.

Job Description

This role follows a flexible hybrid schedule and can be performed from any Breakthru Beverage office location.

Job Responsibilities

• Develop collaborative relationships with BBG Regional Presidents, General Managers & BMs to align and build momentum around Supplier’s vision, portfolio, and brand strategies to ensure seamless activation and execution of Supplier’s brand goals, strategies, and programs; identify opportunities, anticipate market-specific needs, and drive consistent commercial execution across markets. Drive expansion of Supplier relationships to new BBG markets.


• Identify opportunities for Supplier resource efficiency and investment strategies.


• Develop collaborative relationships with all levels of Supplier’s Sales, Marketing, Strategy, Finance, Purchasing, HR, Digital and PR teams.


• Negotiate/solicit Supplier Marketing for collaborative opportunities such as product launches, test markets, strategic marketing/consumer research and field-testing. Provide input towards and communicate BBG strategies and vision to Supplier.


• Identify and define consumer and customer growth drivers for BBG and Supplier’s brands. Identify and communicate consumer and customer trends and competitive activity to Supplier and propose solutions, actions, and interventions to address opportunities quickly.


• Manage Supplier’s sales/marketing calendar.


• Ensure optimal alignment across the calendar.


• Optimize synergistic programming, messaging and timing to create initiatives that drive growth.


• Identify and develop cross portfolio opportunities as appropriate.


• Actively partner with Supplier’s agencies for seamless integration and 360-activation in all BBG markets.


• Collaborate with BBG’s Commercial Excellence Team and local Trade resources to develop local marketing materials consistent with brand positioning.


• Evaluate qualitative performance and share best practices across markets.


• Create, implement, and monitor Supplier Satisfaction Scorecard for all BBG markets.


• Other duties, as assigned by the jobholder’s supervisor, may also be required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field and/or equivalent training and work experience


• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in finance, commercial, sales with significant leadership experience in a beverage alcohol distributor or combination of experience at both the supplier and distributor tier


• Demonstrated multi-market sales experience, with responsibility for leading, influencing, or driving commercial performance across multiple geographic markets, regions, or territories


• Proven ability to translate enterprise or supplier strategies into market-level sales plans and drive consistent execution while adapting to local market dynamics


• Advanced PC skills using MS Office and other various computer programs including presentation software


• Must be a results-oriented professional with verbal/written communication skills using diplomacy and discretion as well as customer service skills


• Ability to multi-task, work independently and/or within a team, pay attention to detail and meet deadlines


• Analytic and Reporting skills


• Utilize sound judgement and problem-solving skills


• Ability to work in fast-paced, high-volume, team environment

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA


• Significant experience in a beverage alcohol distributor or supplier with emphasis in spirits and/or wine


• Experience leading sales initiatives across multiple markets with varying customer, competitive, regulatory, and commercial dynamics


• Analytical abilities and in-depth experience with core Breakthru systems (e.g. SAP, DSS, HANA, etc.)


• Knowledge of legacy Sales organization and deep understanding of sales/pricing processes/trade development, business managers processes


• Proficient in Power Point, Excel, Nielsen Data


• Expertise in local market pricing and programming systems/regulations


• Experience with large-scale change management and driving change through influence

Physical Requirements

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to remain in a stationary position at times; communicate, and operate a computer and telephone

Competencies

• People management responsibility for pay reviews, performance management, training, and resource planning.


• Requires conceptual thinking to understand complex issues and their implications, where sufficient information may not be available.

This job description is only a summary of the typical functions of this position, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks and duties. Responsibilities, tasks, and duties of individual jobholders may vary from the above description.

Any offered salary is determined based on internal equity, internal salary ranges, market data/ranges, applicant’s skills and prior relevant experience.

Salary Range: $200,000 - $250,000

This position is eligible to participate in a bonus program. Metrics and level of participation are determined annually.

This position is eligible for health care benefits, life insurance, time off benefits and participation in the Company’s 401(k) plan

Breakthru Beverage Group is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. The EEO is the Law poster is available here (https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf) . If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please call [phone] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

We’re driven to be the industry leader in every way, including how we treat our associates. Which is why we’ve built a people-centric, relationship-driven culture designed to maximize career advancement, a sense of belonging, and wellness. Focused on enhancing every aspect and phase of your career, the Breakthru experience includes our commitment to your growth, belonging, and wellness.

Breakthru Beverage is a family-owned and operated company with operations across the U.S. and Canada, and more than $8 billion in annual sales driven by a team of 10,000 associates. We deliver world-renowned brands to the doorsteps of North America’s retail, bar and restaurant businesses.