Who we are: Founded in Boston in 1933, M.S. Walker is a 5th-generation, family-owned wine and spirits importer and distributor, a spirits bottler, and a national supplier. We serve On-Premise and Off-Premise establishments throughout the Northeast, with direct operations in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey and Rhode Island and brokerage operations in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. We represent a budding portfolio of wine and spirits nationwide, including our own brands, and we strive to offer the most prestigious portfolio in the industry. M.S. Walker has built our foundation and future on our people – our employees are truly our greatest asset. Our company boasts a diverse pool of exceptionally special team members who each bring their unique skills and experience to the organization.

What we are looking for: M.S. Walker has an immediate opening for a Regional Brand Ambassador for the MS Walker Brands Spirits Portfolio - This position will be based in New York City

Information regarding the brands represented can be found at:
http://www.mswalker.com/national-brands/
Also, on Instagram at:
@mswalkerbrands

Responsibilities:
Sales / Trade Engagement / Education

o Achieve sales success:
• Visit 45+ New York/New Jersey accounts weekly
• Cultivate and curate MSWB “partner” accounts
• Secure new retail and On-Premise cocktail and “btg” volume placements
• Selling in and merchandising retail displays in existing and new retailers
• activate brand cocktail strategy at retail
• Achieve competitive brand adjacencies at retail for existing and new placements
• Achieve in service or volume cocktail placements in the On-Premise channel
• Merchandise current and new placements with the most up to date point of sale materials
• Follow up to train staff on DNA, provenance, features, and benefits of the brands

Serve as regional facing product knowledge expert for MS Walker Brands Spirits Portfolio; with a passion for storytelling and effective way to communicate brand's features, benefits, heritage, and personality
Educate trade and M.S. Walker sales team on benefits of the MS Walker Brands Portfolio
Contribute to social media content that documents the brand’s impact in the regional community
Support and work with sales teams at distributor in the market, at meetings and events
Collaborate with local brand management monthly, by brand, by key account to deliver against goal
Create and manage agenda for MSWB portfolio management team and brand owner/dignitary market work, events etc.
Responsible for planning and market work for brand owners in New York/New Jersey

• Events
o Support retail, on-trade and consumer shows as required; attend the brand's booth at fests and other events in core markets
• Minimum of 3 in store tastings a month between Thursday afternoon and Sunday afternoon

• Reporting

o Provide monthly recaps of all activities to direct report as well as local distributor management
o Track KPIs, sales and reach goals regularly
o Report markets trends and competitor activity

Who you are: The ideal candidate will possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities in order to be successful in this role:

• Deep knowledge of wine and spirits industry from production process to trends and brands
• Strong relationships in both the independent off and On-Premise channels.
• Deep knowledge of spirits and cocktail development. Experience as a bartender creating craft cocktails
• Natural and charismatic storyteller, with strong public speaking skills, who has a passion for sharing their cocktailing tales with others
• Credibility with the on-trade is essential; be part of that community with existing network, bartender and “SOM” groups, presence, and respect within the community of gatekeepers
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including writing and delivering presentations
• Deadline-oriented self-starter who is proactive and holds self to high standard of work quality
• Ability to motivate and collaborate with the distributor personnel
• Strong and active social media presence.
• Works well independently, without need of micromanagement, problem solver
• Preferred to be bilingual in both English and Spanish
• Ability to travel throughout New York and New Jersey required

Benefits:

We offer a Comprehensive Benefits Plan that includes the following:
• Medical and dental coverage through Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Vision coverage through VSP
• 401k program through Fidelity Investments
• Flexible spending options (medical, transit, and dependent care)
• Disability & Life Insurance packages
• Paid Vacation & 11 paid Holidays
• Career advancement opportunities
• Wellness programs and discount fitness memberships
• Employee Assistance Program through AllOne Health