Director of High Proof Spirits

Job Summary 

        The Director of High Proof Spirits is a strategic and operational leader responsible for driving growth, brand performance, and market share across a diverse spirits portfolio. Serving as the primary liaison between supplier partners and internal teams, this role develops and executes brand strategies, marketing plans, and sales initiatives tailored to the high‑proof spirits category. 

        The Director oversees a team that includes the Brokerage Administrator, On‑Premise Key Account Managers, and Spirits Merchandising Representatives, ensuring seamless alignment between brand priorities and field execution. Additionally, the Director leads the high‑proof brokerage efforts for the state of Ohio, guiding strategic market development, ensuring regulatory compliance, and maximizing performance across the high‑proof segment. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

Strategic Planning & Portfolio Development 

• Develop and implement short- and long-term growth strategies for the spirits portfolio to drive market share and profitability. 

• Forecast annual sales by brand and analyze market trends, competitive activity, and consumer behavior to inform planning. 

• Establish distribution goals and pricing strategies by route and channel, including specialty pricing and promotional structures. 

• Create and manage annual marketing plans and budgets, including monthly tactical calendars aligned with supplier and company goals. 

Team Leadership & Development 

• Lead and mentor a team that includes the Marketing Manager and Bottle Engravers, fostering a collaborative, high-performance culture. 

• Set clear objectives, provide regular feedback, and support professional development for direct reports. 

• Ensure alignment between team activities and broader brand and sales strategies. 

Brand & Supplier Management 

• Serve as the primary liaison between spirits suppliers and internal stakeholders, ensuring brand alignment and executional excellence. 

• Coordinate and attend supplier meetings, trade calls, and market visits to assess program effectiveness and identify new opportunities. 

• Manage brand-level marketing efforts, including POS materials, promotional items, and media planning. 

• Track and reconcile supplier funding, co-op budgets, and credit issues in a timely manner. 

Local Marketing & Execution 

• Oversee the execution of local marketing initiatives, including events, ride-alongs, and promotional campaigns. 

• Maintain a marketing calendar and ensure timely delivery of materials and support to the sales team. 

• Evaluate the effectiveness of local marketing activities and recommend adjustments to maximize ROI. 

• Collaborate with sales leadership to align marketing efforts with sales objectives and performance metrics. 

Operational Oversight & Compliance 

• Oversee operational and financial performance of the high‑proof spirits portfolio, including monitoring sales results, key market indicators, and brand-level financials to ensure alignment with strategic objectives. 

• Ensure full compliance with company policies and all local, state, and federal liquor regulations; maintain strict adherence to Ohio high‑proof brokerage requirements, regulatory reporting standards, and evolving industry rules and best practices. 

• Manage tactical brand and supplier expenses with accuracy and fiscal discipline, ensuring proper reporting and adherence to budget expectations. 

• Oversee ongoing training and guidance to sales personnel to strengthen brand knowledge, executional consistency, and alignment with field and supplier priorities. 

• Ensure compliance with all regulatory and company policies related to alcohol sales and distribution. 

• Stay informed on industry regulations and best practices. 

Organizational Stewardship 

• Maintain open communication with company leadership and staff to support a collaborative work environment. 

• Take initiative to understand roles beyond your own to support succession planning and organizational agility. 

• Champion Superior Beverage Group’s mission to be “first-in-class” by driving innovation, accountability, and excellence. 

• Maintain open and clear communications with the owners, managers, and other employees of the Company. 

• Comply with all relevant company policies and procedures outlined in the Superior Beverage Group Employee Handbook. 

Qualifications 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Education – Bachelor’s Degree, or equivalent 

• Experience – seven- ten (7-10) or more years sales and management experience, prefer CPG industry 

• Strong understanding of Ohio’s high‑proof liquor regulations, brokerage requirements, and industry compliance standards. 

• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop teams, manage cross‑functional relationships, and collaborate effectively with supplier partners. 

• Proven analytical and financial acumen, including experience interpreting sales data, forecasting, and managing budgets. 

• Excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation skills, with the ability to influence internal and external stakeholders. 

• Experience developing and executing strategic marketing, sales plans, and field execution initiatives. 

• High level of organizational discipline, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment. 

• Licensing – valid Driver's License