Overview
Brand Development Specialist – Craft Beer / Beverage Jobs in Milwaukee, WI at Brew City Distribution & Consulting
Title: Brand Development Specialist – Craft Beer / Beverage
Company: Brew City Distribution & Consulting
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Overview
Brand Development Specialist serves as the frontline ambassador for a portfolio of four unique craft beer / beverage brands. This role is responsible for increasing craft beer / beverage presence, driving sales, and nurturing strong relationships with on- and off-premise accounts. The specialist will act as the face of each craft beer / beverage, communicating their individual stories and values while managing sales goals and market performance for all four craft beer / beverages in a balanced, professional manner. This role focuses on building strong retailer, bar, and restaurant relationships while driving product visibility, sales growth, and brand loyalty for a diverse portfolio of craft beer / beverages.
Brand & Account Development
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with on- and off-premise accounts (bars, restaurants, retail stores, chains, independents) and distributor partners across the assigned territory.
- Represent and promote four craft beer / beverage brands with equal focus, maintaining a deep understanding of each craft beer / beverage's identity, portfolio, positioning, and target accounts.
- Act as the primary brand-side point of contact for distributor sales teams, participating in ride‑alongs, sales meetings, and planning sessions to align on goals and incentives for all four craft beer / beverages.
- Manage a prioritized account list (key chains, independents, and high-impact on-premise) and conduct regular sales calls to sell in new placements, packages, and seasonal or limited releases.
- Develop and execute a territory business plan to grow distribution, velocity, and volume for all four craft beer / beverages across on- and off-premise channels.
- Manage schedule and priorities to equitably support each brand’s goals and agreed-upon objectives, ensuring no craft beer / beverage is under-represented in the field.
Sales Execution & Territory Management
- Execute sales and merchandising initiatives, including tap placements, menu features, displays, and in-store/on-premise promotional programs.
- Lead execution of craft beer / beverage standards in the market, including draft quality, freshness, date coding, proper rotation, POS placement, and visual merchandising for each craft beer / beverage.
- Ensure effective merchandising and product freshness in all accounts, in line with craft beer / beverage quality standards and distributor expectations.
- Coordinate sales efforts with distributor teams to achieve volume, distribution, and placement goals for all four craft beer / beverages.
- Maintain awareness of pricing architecture, chain programs, and promotional calendars to support competitive positioning at retail.
- Maintain compliance with all local and state alcohol regulations, as well as internal company policies and supplier guidelines.
Events, Education & Marketing Support
- Plan and participate in tastings, festivals, tap takeovers, beer dinners, and consumer events that showcase the full portfolio while highlighting each craft beer / beverage's distinct identity.
- Execute in-store and on-premise promotions, samplings, and craft beer / beverage brand activations to drive consumer awareness, product trial, and incremental volume.
- Organize and execute staff trainings, beer schools, and menu/tap list consultations to increase product knowledge and recommendation rate among retailer and distributor staff.
- Support craft beer / beverage programs including product launches, seasonal offerings, limited releases, staff trainings, menus, and tap takeovers, ensuring timely sell-in and execution at key accounts.
- Collaborate with the marketing team and craft beer / beverage partners on sell sheets, POS, displays, menus, and social/media activations that support priority SKUs, new releases, and seasonal campaigns.
Reporting, Insights & Compliance
- Track sales performance by brand, package, and account; monitor pricing, promotions, and competitive activity across brands and territories.
- Maintain accurate records of account visits, placements, events, and follow-ups; provide weekly/monthly market recaps and performance insights to each craft beer / beverage partner and internal leadership.
- Gather and communicate field-level feedback on market conditions, competitive products, pricing, and retailer needs to inform craft beer / beverage plans and innovation decisions.
- Serve as the “eyes and ears” of the craft beer / beverage in the field, proactively identifying opportunities for new placements, distribution expansion, and improved craft beer / beverage presentation, and sharing those opportunities with craft beer / beverage and distributor stakeholders.
Qualifications
- Strong passion and knowledge of craft beer styles, brewery culture, and industry trends.
- In-depth knowledge of craft beer, including familiarity with brewing processes, styles, flavor profiles, and draft systems.
- Proven ability to manage multiple brands and priorities without bias, ensuring fair and accurate representation aligned with portfolio objectives.
- Demonstrated success managing a territory and consistently meeting or exceeding volume, distribution, and execution goals.
- Proven track record of executing successful market promotions, tastings, and brand activations.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills with both distributor personnel and retail buyers.
- Strong time management and organizational skills; self-motivated, highly organized, and comfortable working autonomously in the field.
- Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and ability to lift and transport cases or kegs (up to 75 lbs.).
- 3+ years of sales, brand representation, or account management experience in craft beer, beverage alcohol, or hospitality; brewery-side or distributor-side experience strongly preferred.
- Must live in the market you are applying for.
Additional Qualifications
- Certified Beer Server, Certified Cicerone®, or similar beer education credential preferred.
- Experience working with wholesale distributors, distributor networks, or multi-supplier/multi-brand portfolios.
- Prior experience representing multiple breweries or a multi-brand portfolio (e.g., house brands plus partners, or domestic plus import portfolio).
- Creative thinker with the ability to develop engaging field marketing ideas and event concepts that support brand priorities.
- Event execution, social media engagement, and consumer education experience is a plus.
- Comfortable using CRM or sales-tracking tools, with basic proficiency in spreadsheets and presentation software for recaps, planning, and reporting.
- Outgoing, credible, and professional presence in the trade, with the ability to embody four distinct brand voices while upholding one unified portfolio standard.
Job Type: Full-Time, Salaried Position, Overtime Exempt
Salary Range: $60,000 to $80,000 per annum
Benefits:
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Health savings account
- Mileage reimbursement
- Paid time off
- Travel reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- Monday to Friday
Supplemental pay types:
- Bonus pay
Experience:
- Sales Occupations: 3 years (Preferred)
License/Certification:
- Driver's License (Required)
