Business Development Manager

Brown-Forman Australia Pty. Ltd.; Greater London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - GBP 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A global premium spirits company based in London is seeking a seasoned professional to lead the commercial strategy for its NWE Partner Markets. The ideal candidate will have over 8 years of experience in the FMCG industry, particularly in spirits, and possess excellent negotiation and communication skills. This role involves collaboration with distributors, strategy development, and driving growth initiatives. Join a company where your contributions matter and help shape the future of our brand.

Benefits

Equitable pay structures

Premium benefits

Opportunities for personal growth

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in the FMCG industry, preferably spirits.
• Excellent negotiation and communication skills.
• Emotionally intelligent, self-motivated, ability to work under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Lead the commercial strategy for NWE Partner Markets.
• Develop and strengthen partnerships with distributor teams.
• Monitor trade spend and manage sales targets.

Skills

FMCG experience

Commercial acumen

Excellent negotiation skills

Team leadership

Project management

Job description

We believe great people build great brands. And we know there is Nothing Better in the Market than a career at Brown-Forman. Being a part of Brown-Forman means you will grow both personally and professionally. You will have the opportunity to solve problems, seize opportunities, and generate bold ideas. You will belong to a place where teamwork matters and where you are encouraged to bring your best self to work.

Overview

Lead the commercial strategy for NWE Partner Markets, collaborating with distributors and regional management to drive growth. Reporting to the NWE Commercial Director and forming part of the NWE Extended Leadership team, this role is key to Brown-Forman’s regional success.

Role and Responsibilities

• Lead the commercial strategy for NWE Partner Markets, collaborating with distributors and regional management to drive growth. Reporting to the NWE Commercial Director and forming part of the NWE Extended Leadership team, this role is key to Brown-Forman’s regional success.
• Leading multiple distributor relationships with the key Nordic (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway & Sweden) and Baltic (Lithuania, Latvia & Estonia) regions, this role has a far reaching and sizable impact (c14%) on the NWE Region.
• Strategy & Business Development 30%: Leading, developing and translating the B-F commercial strategy, aligned with B-F brand’s strategy and the long-term B-F priorities; Explore and accelerate new growth opportunities and lead B-F portfolio expansion across the territory; As the B-F expert in the region, identify opportunities to optimize, streamline and improve ways of working and business operations in close collaboration with key cross-functional stakeholders.
• Distributor Management and Execution of Commercial/Portfolio/Channel Strategy Plans - 40%: Develop and strengthen sustainable partnerships and collaborative relationships with the distributor teams, leading with influence as the main commercial point of contact; Build annual sales plans (Market/Portfolio/Channel) and deliver against Sales targets with focus on key performance indicators (distribution, listing, merchandising standards, shelf share targets, picture of success, strategic price positioning, promotional pricing and promotional effectiveness) and qualitative targets (trade education and motivation programs, DP team onboarding & coaching); Lead development and management of route-to-consumer models and lead negotiation of distributor contracts to drive long-term, sustainable growth; Collaborate with B-F Marketing team and the Finance business partner on defining Annual Country/Brand Business Plans, and enrich with insights from trade resources (distributors and customers) throughout the year.
• Plan and Activity Evaluation - 20%: Monitor trade spend provided via price structures/value chain ensuring efficient trade investment; Partner with B-F marketing team in planning, ordering and allocating global POSMs.
• In collaboration with Finance, monitor the value chain to effectively manage Net Sales and Margin, while identifying and implementing key Revenue Growth Management (RGM) initiatives.
• Business Updates / Ad-hoc Initiatives - 10%: Provide updates to the leadership team on market environment, portfolio/channel developments and promotional activities as part of Quarterly Business Reviews; provide regular in-flight updates on performance and course-correct as necessary; work with distributor partners to lead rolling forecasting updates and ensure resource allocation supports growth expectations.

What You Bring to the Table

• Preferred location London
• 8+ years’ experience in the FMCG industry, preferably spirits/image products and ideally knowledgeable of the distributor/brand owner relationship
• Deep commercial understanding with +8 years of direct customer/distributor expertise
• Strategic vision and thinking ability, with out-of-the-box thinking to uncover new market, portfolio, channel opportunities
• Commercial acumen, ability to translate business strategy into operational tactics, ability to unpack the needs of channels/customers and provide a “persuasive offer”
• Demonstrated ability to manage, prioritize and complete workload for self and team in a high pressure/ fast-paced environment
• Ability to take initiative to act independently and solve problems by analyzing and finding effective solutions, strong and balanced decision making
• Excellent negotiation and communication skills (influencing, listening, presenting, writing, fluent English)
• Emotionally intelligent, self-motivated, high-energy, can-do attitude and capable to work effectively under stress and time pressure while maintaining professionalism
• Foster own and team development and be a D&I champion
• Be an integral part of the Sales Leadership team, interact closely and foster productive relationships across B-F functions and with external stakeholders (team player)
• Willing to travel up to 20% of time
• IT literate
• Project & time management
• Leading change

Who We Are

We believe great people build great brands. And we know there is Nothing Better in the Market than a career at Brown-Forman. Being a part of Brown-Forman means you will grow both personally and professionally. You will have the opportunity to solve problems, seize opportunities, and generate bold ideas. You will belong to a place where teamwork matters and where you are encouraged to bring your best self to work.

What We Offer

Total Rewards at Brown-Forman is designed to engage our people to ensure sustainable and profitable growth for generations to come. As a premium spirits company, we offer equitable pay structures for individual and company performance alongside a premium employee experience. We offer a range of premium benefits that reflect our company values and meet the needs of our diverse workforce.

If you are ready to become a part of our team and drive our business to new heights, we want to hear from you!

Join us at Brown-Forman and be part of a company where your contributions truly matter.

Brown-Forman Corporation is committed to equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment. It is the policy of Brown-Forman Corporation to provide full and equal employment opportunities to all employees and potential employees without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, veteran status, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disability or any other legally protected status.