Spirits League Commercial Planning Director

Cheers to an exciting role with the Spirits League!

Let's talk about the role...

A Spirits League Commercial Planning Director is responsible for leading, developing and managing all the activities of the brands within the guidelines to achieve profitable growth.  A Spirits League Commercial Planning Director leads the company and the Spirits League members ensuring alignment with suppliers’ needs while meeting Andrews’ and the Spirits League’s strategic priorities.  The Spirits League Commercial Planning Director drives results and ensures resources are optimized and focused on profit driven activities that drive the business and company strategies.

The position serves as the primary liaison to the Texas Spirits League, an incorporated nonprofit (501 C6) created by Texas distributors to serve as a competitive network for spirits with a strong focus on building supplier brands. Given the nature of this role, strict adherence to Retailer and Supplier Antitrust Law Compliance Guidelines is required.

Here's more of what you will do...

A Spirits League Commercial Planning Director can be expected to perform the following tasks in this role as a routine part of their job:

Brand Strategy Implementation

• Develops and executes category and brand strategies aligned with Andrews’ and Spirits League’s strategic priorities.

• Creates distribution plans and oversees SKU optimization.

• Partners with Supply Chain to actively manage inventory levels and adjust plans as needed.

• Delivers accurate, on-time quarterly planning documents and participates in all planning sessions.

• Collaborates with Sales to translate brand strategy into effective trade programs.

• Works with On- and Off-Premise Sales and National Accounts teams to evaluate and plan channel-specific opportunities.

• Conducts portfolio analyses, including recommending removal of underperforming SKUs.

• Leads Sales and National Accounts teams in launching new products, initiatives, and performance-driving programs across all channels.

Marketing Strategy and Execution

• Designs and implements marketing strategies for assigned brands, including events, programs, sponsorships, and social media initiatives.

• Conducts ongoing SWOT analyses of assigned and competitive brands and takes strategic action based on market intelligence.

• Manages pricing strategies for the brand portfolio.

• Utilizes the Spirits League CRM to monitor execution and performance across the state.

• Provides strategic support for key retailer and distributor meetings.

Market Analysis, Metrics and Reporting

• Reviews sales trends, distribution performance, and pricing insights to monitor brand and market health.

• Leverages consumer data to support long-term brand growth.

• Remains current on industry dynamics, trends, and emerging insights.

Relationship Building and Collaboration

• Builds strong, collaborative relationships with suppliers, partners, and internal teams.

• Works with On- and Off-Premise partners to build annual sales and marketing plans that align with supplier priorities and marketplace opportunities.

Spirits League Membership Collaboration and Development

• Leads development and engagement of Spirits League members through training and coaching as appropriate.

• Drives a culture of continuous improvement, encouraging innovation and operational efficiencies.

• Leads monthly Spirits League meetings to track progress against objectives.

• Utilizes the League’s CRM platform for communication with members and suppliers.

• Visits Spirits League members (within Texas) in their hometowns as needed on a monthly basis.

Compliance

• Ensures all activities comply with Supplier Antitrust Law Compliance Guidelines.

  • Promotes the Spirits League’s statewide distribution coverage by sharing existing distribution footprints and historical assignments, where appropriate.

  • Responds to supplier requests for aggregated statewide insights (e.g., pricing, new item introductions, QD tracking) while minimizing any anti competitive effects.

  • Retailer communications must minimize anti-competitive impact.

  • All communications must include required representations

  • Commercial information provided is aggregated and sourced from publicly available data.

  • Any questions or concerns about specific issues must be directed to the independent Spirits League member.

  • Non public information must only be provided to individuals with a legitimate “need to know.”

This list is not all inclusive of other tasks and subtasks that may be necessary in performing this role, but rather an overview of the role’s primary work tasks.

Here's what you must have to be considered for this role:

Bachelor’s Degree in Sales, Marketing, Business or Other Related Field

• Five Plus Years of Spirits Industry Experience

• Demonstrated Success Working with National Account Retailers

• Minimum Ten Years Progressive Sales, Marketing, Program/Brand Management, Pricing Management, and Strategy Development, Implementation and Execution Experience

• Proven Change Management Leadership Skills

• Advanced Analytical Capabilities with Strong Financial and Business Acumen

• Exceptional Relationship Building, Collaboration and Communication Skills

• Strong Understanding of the Beverage Industry; Managing Multiple Brands within a Large Product Portfolio Across the Business

• High Level of Agility and Comfort Operating in a Fast-paced, Entrepreneurial Environment and Emerging-Brand Environments

Here's what we hope you will have:

• Previous Project Management and Process Implementation Skills

• Demonstrated Proficiency in MS Excel (V-Lookup, Pivot Tables and PowerPoint

• Previous Public Speaking Experience

• Previous Supervisory Experience and/or Team Management

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