Brand Manager - Imports - #258994

Established by Bill Foley in 1996, Foley Family Wines & Spirits (FFWS) is a portfolio of highly acclaimed wines and spirits from some of the world’s greatest estates. The company owns more than 25 wineries and distilleries, each with its distinct style, legacy, and approach to hospitality.

** Hybrid schedule | Onsite days, Tuesday - Thursday | Remote, M & F**

The Brand Manager – Imports role will drive significant growth across the portfolio (Dashwood, Vavasour, Lucien Albrecht, Nieto Sentiner, Mt. Difficulty, and Roaring Meg). We are looking for a dynamic, fast-paced brand manager who can both envision and execute quickly, all with the consumer at the forefront of their thinking.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Brand Strategy and Brand Planning:
• Develops brand strategies and positioning for priority brands, including consumer-compelling point of difference
• Develops brand marketing plans that are applicable across PR, paid media, partnerships, events, and retail accounts
  
  
  

Marketing Programs and Production:

• Manages execution of brand marketing plan including paid advertising & promotion, trade marketing programs, public relations and product development, including packaging. Ensures consistent messaging, imagery and quality standards
• Maintains accountability for approved brand budgets, revenue, and gross margin
• Assigns and manages creative work through external agencies/vendors
• Interfaces with Production and Winemaking teams including, but not limited to, written technical product specs, liaison to agencies/vendors/production to lead and monitor quality and timelines, track shipments/depletions against vintage transitions as well as participation in packaging/production meetings
• Interfaces with import partners to ensure alignment with brand story and mutual business objectives
  
  
  

Marketing Communication:

• Communicates monthly brand business status and programs to Management, including marketplace goals and accomplishments, promotional programs, inventory, merchandising status, and wine availability issues. Consistent contact with Sales to maintain accuracy and evaluation; ad hoc reporting may be required
• Works closely with Sales to execute the marketing plan and ensure that materials are available to drive results
• Ensures that brand strategies are implemented within PR initiatives. Coordinates branded special events, winemaker appearances, wine submissions and story pitches as needed
• Provides content for website and manages brands’ trade materials
• Performs as an effective and eloquent ambassador for the brands at both trade and consumer events. Direct winery team travel commitments such as participation in events, trade shows, distributor presentations and blitzes in conjunction with the Sales team
• Stays up-to-date on the latest marketing trends and best practices
  
  
  

Analysis:

• Works with Sales & Marketing Analytics team to analyze brand performance and competitive information using several forms of intelligence including internal (Targit) and external (e.g., Circana)
• Identifies opportunities by channel, market, consumer, product or other for brand consideration
• Works with Sales to identify issues/opportunities, promotional needs and implements necessary programs by channel
• Track and measure the results of marketing campaigns
  
  
  

Required Knowledge, Skills & Other Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree required. 4 years of premium wine brand marketing and/or luxury goods or beverage experience preferred.
• Significant experience in promotion, packaging and merchandising design/implementation
• Experience in brand strategy, marketing communications planning, and budget/P&L management
• Strong analytic, strategic and creative skills.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills.
• Ability to balance multiple priorities, meet deadlines and thrive in a demanding, constantly changing environment
• Attention to detail a must.
• Self-motivated, team-oriented ethics and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Some travel required.
  
  
  

Company Core Values:

• Teamwork – Be a Spirited Partner
• Commitment – Crush Every Day
• Quality – Good vs. Grape: It’s All in The Details
• Integrity – It Takes a Community
• Safety – Tend the Vines
• Entrepreneurship – Love the Wine You’re With
• Fun! - Smile! You Have Purple Teeth!
  
  
  

FFWS has expanded its portfolio significantly since its founding, now including such storied brands as Chalk Hill Estate Winery, Sebastiani, Roth, Banshee, Ferrari-Carano, Chateau St. Jean, and Lancaster in Sonoma County; Merus, Silverado, and Foley Johnson in Napa Valley; Lincourt, Firestone, and Foley Estates in Southern California; Chalone Vineyard in Monterey County; Four Graces and Acrobat in Oregon; and Three Rivers in Washington. Foley Family Wine & Spirits import wines include Lucien Albrecht in France, Nieto Senetiner in Argentina, and 14 wine brands spanning three of New Zealand’s most acclaimed winegrowing regions: Marlborough, Central Otago, and Martinborough. The growing global spirits portfolio includes Minden Mill Distilling, Charles Goodnight Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey, New Zealand’s Lighthouse Gin, El Mexicano Tequila, The Loch Lomond Group in Scotland, Two Stacks Irish Whisky and Killowen.

Foley Family Wines & Spirits provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status or any other characteristic protected under federal, state or local law.