Wine Portfolio Manager

Johnson Brothers Liquor Company; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Johnson Brothers Liquor Company in Phoenix, AZ seeks a Portfolio Manager to lead supplier relationships, curate wine and spirits portfolios, manage pricing and promotions, and drive category growth. The role includes coordinating launches, tracking profitability, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to meet annual goals.

The ideal candidate has a strong wine knowledge base (WSET 3 preferred), distribution experience, and demonstrated ability to analyze data and drive results.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Sales or related field or equivalent job experience.
• Background or experience in distribution and at least 3 years of prior Brand Management experience in distribution.
• Strong persuasive presentations skills, including the ability to speak before large audiences both internally and externally.
• Knowledge of the alcoholic beverage industry, including knowledge of wine and spirits terms, and their production process techniques helpful.
• Passion for wine and spirits with the ability to continuously learn new brands and represent effectively to customers.
• Ability to understand and execute brand strategy at the market level
• Has a passion for marketing and promotional events in all channels
• Ability to interpret consumer research data and analyze competitive activity
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Has strong attention to detail
• Ability to multi-task and be a self-starter
• Ability to focus and be flexible in pressure situations and resolve conflicts in a calm and professional manner
• Learns quickly and takes direction/coaching and feedback well
• Demonstrate and promote a climate of courtesy, respect and professionalism to coworkers, the customers served by this company and others with whom her/his job puts her/him in contact.
• Must pass a criminal background check and MVR

Responsibilities

• Develops and maintains long-term relationships with key Supplier Partners; including Winery principals, winemakers, Regional and National Sales Managers, Brand Ambassadors and other gatekeepers/influencers.
• Works with Executive Team and Sales Leadership to establish quarterly and annual goal objectives as it relates to the portfolio they manage.
• Analyzes portfolio development as it relates to opportunities of growth and recommends new brands and product elimination.
• Responsible for all portfolio pricing and programming to ensure alignment with overall company profitability standards.
• Manages and executes successful new product launches including item setup/pricing, updating marketing materials and communication to the Sales Team.
• Provides ongoing business analysis of products/profitability/inventory/product turns and conducts quarterly/yearly reviews.
• Creates and implements sales incentive structures for sales management and teams.
• Supply Chain Management – Ensure appropriate inventory and manage product turns with purchasing.
• Travel within established geographic areas as necessary.

Job description

Looking for a rewarding career? Johnson Brothers is a leading family-owned distributor of wine, spirits, and beer, delivering exceptional service since 1953. We proudly represent the world’s top beverage brands and are committed to excellence, innovation, and growth. Johnson Brothers offers exciting opportunities in a variety of areas. Join our passionate team and help shape the future of the beverage industry! A Portfolio Manager is the primary contact with our suppliers and takes the point on managing all of their business in the wholesale channel. They are directly responsible for curating the portfolio, managing pricing, margins, inventory, education, goal setting and execution. Strong Wine knowledge a must! WSET 3 strongly preferred.

Job Description: Essential Functions (This list may not include all duties as assigned):

Essential Functions (This list may not include all duties as assigned)

• Develops and maintains long-term relationships with key Supplier Partners; including Winery principals, winemakers, Regional and National Sales Managers, Brand Ambassadors and other gatekeepers/influencers.
• Has a strong understanding of supplier’s expectations, focus items, market supports, brand standards and is the main conduit for this information being communicated so all departments are aligned and can work together to exceed expectations.
• Works in conjunction with the Executive Team and Sales Leadership to establish the company’s agreed upon brand specific quarterly and annual goal objectives as it relates to the portfolio(s) they manage.
• Analyzes portfolio development as it relates to opportunities of growth and recommends new brands and product elimination to align with the Company’s overall growth strategy.
• Responsible for all portfolio pricing and programming to ensure alignment with overall company profitability standards. This includes, but is not limited to, acquiring supplier financial support and managing supported programs for all channels.
• Manages and executes successful new product launches including item setup/pricing, updating marketing materials (website, social media, portfolio) and communication to the Sales Team to insure customer retention and engagement.
• Provides an ongoing business analysis of products/ profitability/ inventory/ product turns/ aged inventory to include quarterly and yearly business review and planning.
• Creates and implements sales incentive structures for sales management and sales teams.
• Supply Chain Management – Ensure appropriate inventory, and manage product turns in concert with the purchasing team.
• Manage new vendor and item set ups, special order items where appropriate, increased inventory needs for market programs, trends, and National account programs.
• Manages and executes on pre-sale and allocation offers.
• Works with suppliers on market calendar availability and frequency of time in market and communicates focus items, event expectations and trade investments.
• Executes in conjunction with statewide and regional sales management.
• Brand Mangers are trade facing, product educators, company ambassadors and members of the statewide leadership team. Members of the Brand Management team should embrace opportunities to provide education and mentorship throughout the organization and trade.
• Other: Must be able to travel within established geographic areas, as necessary. Must have reliable transportation, hold a valid drivers’ license and meet company driving record & automobile insurance requirements. Performs other duties, as assigned.

Required Skills

• Must possess a Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Sales or related field or equivalent job experience.
• Bachelor's Degree preferred.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience that is determined to be directly related to the foregoing specified requirements may be considered for substitution.
• Background or experience in distribution and at least 3 years of prior Brand Management experience in distribution.
• Strong persuasive presentations skills, including the ability to speak before large audiences both internally and externally.
• Knowledge of the alcoholic beverage industry, including knowledge of wine and spirits terms, and their production process techniques helpful.
• Passion for wine and spirits with the ability to continuously learn new brands and represent effectively to customers.
• Ability to understand and execute brand strategy at the market level Has a passion for marketing and promotional events in all channels
• Ability to interpret consumer research data and analyze competitive activity
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Has strong attention to detail
• Ability to multi-task and be a self-starter
• Ability to focus and be flexible in pressure situations and resolve conflicts in a calm and professional manner
• Learns quickly and takes direction/coaching and feedback well
• Demonstrate and promote a climate of courtesy, respect and professionalism to coworkers, the customers served by this company and others with whom her/his job puts her/him in contact.
• Must pass a criminal background check and MVR

Johnson Brothers is an equal opportunity employer, committed to fair treatment and hiring based on qualifications. We prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status, or any other protected status under applicable laws.

Worker Sub-Type: Regular Time Type: Full time

Johnson Brothers is a third-generation, family-owned wine, beer, and spirits distributor founded in 1953 by Lynn Johnson in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Guided by its founding values of work ethic, teamwork, excellence, innovation, passion, and integrity, the company partners with top-tier suppliers to deliver a world-class portfolio and exceptional service to customers across 25 states. The company was recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s Most Trustworthy Companies for three consecutive years (2023–2025).

Learn more at johnsonbrothers.com | LinkedIn | Instagram.