Category Development Specialist - Bergen County

Job description

Join the team at **New Jersey’s largest wine and spirits distributor!** At Allied Beverage Group, we’re proud of our dynamic, family-based culture and our role in keeping the beverage industry moving. If you're looking for a great company with great people—this is the place to be! **Overview** The Category Development Specialist role will be responsible Hemp Direct Sales, RTD, Low and No Activation inclusive of achieving customer objectives in both the Off & On Premise, Key Performance Indicators (KPI), and targets by implementing strategies and tactics while managing customers in a manner that will achieve profitable long-term growth for Hemp, Low / No Alcohol brands within the portfolio. **Responsibilities** **Customer** • Sales of THC Hemp Beverage Portfolio Deliver on volume and profitability objective by brand • Ensure compliance to Corporate Hemp / RTD /Low / No Alcohol Brand Strategies • Increase the quality/quantity of accepted innovative business building proposals • Cold Box Management • Category Management \*Understand best practices \*Apply comprehensive market, product and consumer information to generate brand and volume building activities • Increase number of accounts where we are considered trusted advisor: \*Become part of customers planning process \*Obtain preferred supplier status (right of first refusal) \*Understand and deliver on account’s goals, strategies and opportunities \*Set goals, measure, evaluate and adapt to changes • Meet and exceed customer expectation on fundamental business needs **Organizational** • Identify and adopt key account management best practices beyond customer and industry • Lead development of annual plans for key accounts that reflect agreed brand and customer strategies and support the delivery of business goals • Develop preferred supplier status with accounts by participating in the accounts planning process • Communicate market, brand and consumer developments/trends/best practices inside and outside the category and/or industry • Influence Allied Beverage Group sales teams to develop account specific programs in line with RTD / Low / No Alcohol brand strategies using local consumer insight as well as category trends. • Recommend suitable account specific brand and volume mix targets • Oversee account performance and implement corrective business building actions • Proactively participate in strategy briefing sessions and provide continuous feedback on execution and program effectiveness • Ensure delivery of specific Category Management guidelines and principles to strategic account category manager resource aligned against customers • Set and achieve KPI’s (Depletions, Distribution, Ads, Displays, Features, Shelf Execution, Digital Posts, Menu Placement, Wells, House Pours, POS, Permanent Signage etc.) • Engage in relationship building activities with buyer for all key accounts **KPI’s** • Weekly Pre-plans and Recaps • Achieve Hemp Beverage Sales and Distribution KPI’s • Achieve monthly KPI Goals • Communicate and Manage Targets • Work with Allied Beverage Group Managers on key priorities \*Weekly check-in on targets – Business Reviews and opportunity discussions \*Supplier ride-withs \*Key Account Manager ride-withs \*Presenting updates at weekly team meetings \*Attend events • Responsibility for Core list of Off Premise accounts • Responsibility for Geographic Area for Portfolio of Brands • Plan & Prepare Account/Activities • Account Business Reviews • Activate Hemp / RTD / Low / No Alcohol Brand Marketing Programs • Execute Retail Controllables and Brand Standards at L3F • Account audits • Assess and implement account needs • Consumer Sampling • Staff Education • Digital Posts ### Qualifications - 1-2 years Sales Experience - Budget, sales, and marketing experience - 4-year college degree or equivalent - Comprehensive understanding of Hemp / RTD / Low / No Alcohol brands to include knowledge of categories, basic production, and service - Ability to adapt and can assist a variety of internal customer groups and varying personality types - Strong negotiation skills; demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit - Ability to create and sell innovative ideas - Goal oriented, focused, and assertive individual who needs little direction or supervision - Ability to work flexible hours which include early morning evenings, and/or weekends - Ability to participate in business meetings, company initiatives and events upon request - Managing complex customer relationships - Strong sales skills, superior negotiation and influencing skills - Leadership capabilities with strong presentation and interpersonal skills - Proficient in fact-based selling and analysis of syndicated consumer data (IRI, Nielsen) - Basic brand marketing and finance skills - Basic computer skills (excel, access, word, PowerPoint etc.)