JOB TITLE: Portfolio Associate — William Grant & Sons on behalf of Ayatana XP

REPORTS TO: AXP Account Executive, William Grant & Sons Sales Marketing

ABOUT AYATANA XP:Ayatana XP strategically executes retail sampling demos for your favorite brands on a national scale every single day. Our diverse team of brand ambassadors help build brand awareness for buzzy celebrity brands, challenger brands just making a splash on the scene and even convince the loyalists of consumers to shake it up and try something new.

SUMMARY: The Portfolio Associate acts as the commercial face of the brands in their respective markets in a set number of accounts. They will work to build and maintain relationships with key trade stakeholders and distributor audiences to drive velocity and visibility. The Portfolio Associate will manage the activities and budget goals set by the Sales & Marketing teams to effectively build the brand amongst target audiences, achieve growth, and perform against KPI’s.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to the following:
Brand Awareness and Education:develop brand awareness, adoption, visibility and recommendation within key account in respective markets for our fast growing company

Key Accountabilities:

• Work with Sales Team to identify appropriate target accounts that will support brand equity development and KPI goals
• Engage those accounts directly (brand education, demonstration, personal selling, relationship building) to gain brand adoption and advocacy (distribution, menu and feature drink placement)
• Motivate and develop distributor sales team through trainings and ride-withs in order to achieve volume targets and sell through objectives (POS, drink promotion, back bar placement, drink lists, distribution and brand promotion) in the market

Execution of Programming:support the successful execution of national and local marketing and sales initiatives

Key Accountabilities:

• Execute all national and local programs assigned to the market such as road shows, incentive trips, and power period distribution drives
• Manage communication flow between AXP, distributor and WGS teams related to events
• Help set-up, merchandise and break down events where Associate is assigned responsibility
• Conduct general sales and promotional-activity training to account staff & management
• Coordinate and ensure product availability with distributor sales rep
• Notify Sales Team and AXP of any issues and steps taken to resolve those issues
• Perform against established Programming KPIs and market goals

Reporting: evaluate and report on market results as well as changing market activity and the progress of the brand’s development against clearly identified metrics and goals

Key Accountabilities:

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date programming calendar, allocation tracking, budgets, and recapping of events in the reporting system.
• Generate accurate post-event reports using the reporting site within 24 hours of event completion, capturing key goals/metrics specified for each program.
• Analyze reports and make recommendations to AXP and WGS Sales Team
• Distribute weekly reports to key contacts as designated by market (AXP, WGS Sales Team, etc.)
• Working with local distributor team to provide recommendations against the target account list and update as needed with new account openings, new opportunities, etc. Ensure all activity is executed within these key target accounts.
• Complete and submit detailed reports for expenses, promotional activity, as well as T&E on a weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly basis as determined by AXP and WGS Sales Teams

Hiring and Training (where applicable):lead recruiting, hiring, and training of all Promotional Specialists in each market within assigned territory

Key Accountabilities:

• Maintain brand specific standards for event
• Select and designate Team Leaders within your marketplace
• Ensure all Promo Specialists have been trained and are able to communicate key brand concepts to consumers
• Schedule promotional staff to work approved events in a timely fashion
• Review and approve or change Promo Specialists’ online timesheets weekly
• Maintain enough staff of highly trained, professional Promo Specialist’s to meet the market needs

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

• Minimum three-four years of experience in a related Wine & Spirits role
• Knowledge of local on/off premise spirits market, including local laws & statutes
• Must be available to work night shifts, weekend shifts, and holidays as required. Schedules may vary week to week and include the occasional overnight stay
• Must own or have reliable access to a personal vehicle through ownership or lease agreement AND have current auto insurance coverage that meets state minimum requirements
• Ability to prioritize and juggle many tasks as well as work within prescribed timelines and deadlines
• Self-starter, outgoing personality
• Adept at selling and interacting with diverse groups of people
• Strong written, verbal and public speaking skills
• Strong budget management skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and Web-based reporting tools
• Valid driver’s license with a driving record in good standing. Maintaining a good driving record (as defined by the organization) is a condition of employment
• Position contingent upon successful completion of background check

BENEFITS:

• Health / Dental / Vision
• 401K (5% match, vested after 2 years)
• Gym Membership Fees (50% up to $600 annually)
• Cell Phone Reimbursement ($100/mo)
• Flex Spending (defer up to $3,050)
• Transit Benefits (defer up to $278)
• Competitive PTO
• 2 Personal Days
• 11 Company Holidays
• Summer Fridays
• Parental Leave Policy

SALARY RANGE: The expected annual base salary for this position is 60k to 75K; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.