Marketing Director, Spirits
Are you a difference maker ready to lead and shape marketing for Palm Bay’s largest Spirit brands? Can you build marketing plans that are proven to drive awareness & sales? Are you capable of blending analytical recommendations with marketing intuition & know-how? How about taking initiative and striving for results? If you’re jumping up and down saying YES, then this is the right role for you! Please complete our survey for full consideration:
Palm Bay International ( is looking for a dynamic, forward-thinking individual who has experience working in the Spirits industry, developing brands with impactful consumer marketing and trade programming. This Marketing Director is a self-starter that values working in a fast-paced environment and will bring energy and creativity when we’re collaborating in the office environment. Reporting to the Vice President of Brand Excellence and with 1 direct report, this position will manage and oversee all marketing & strategic activity of Palm Bay’s Drumshanbo portfolio (Gunpowder Irish Gin, Irish Whiskey, & Sausage Tree Vodka). We are seeking someone who balances marketing and portfolio management skillsets and can inspire our internal and external stakeholders with a vision of how to unlock our portfolio’s full potential.
Palm Bay International, a dynamic family-owned company, offers one of the nation’s most comprehensive portfolios of imported wines and spirits, including over 50 suppliers from around the globe. Among Palm Bay’s most valued assets is its remarkable network of long-term partnerships with the foremost wholesale companies in all 50 states, as well as the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America. With the crucial collaboration of these partners, Palm Bay’s portfolio is able to meet the needs of every level of the industry, from independent restaurants and retail stores, to chain accounts, supermarkets, hotels, airlines, cruise ships, duty-free accounts and U.S. military bases. This impressive roster of brands, accounts and relationships positions Palm Bay as a major source of fine wines and spirits and an industry leader in the U.S. marketplace. For more visit:
Location: NY, NY
Office Expectation: Hybrid
Position Overview:
This role requires both marketing and portfolio management experience. Manages the development and creation of all strategic and tactical marketing activities for Gunpowder Irish Gin, Drumshanbo Irish Whiskey, & Sausage Tree Vodka. Works collaboratively with The Shed Distillery personnel, internal and external creative teams to develop dynamic and ownable marketing assets for both trade and consumer communication platforms. Works closely with key Field Sales and National Account teams in creating customer focused trade materials to drive sales success. Accountable for driving brand performance and manages the P&L. Works cross-functionally with Sales, Public Relations, Legal, and Finance teams. Reports to the VP of Brand Excellence and leads one brand manager.
Responsibilities/Essential Functions:
- Manages a direct report responsible for:
- Day-to-day creative development of innovative consumer and trade marketing materials for local and national programs.
- Development and execution of 360 marketing programs — strategy, media, creative, digital, retail, trade toolkits, channel and/or customer strategies.
- Leading development of annual brand plans and budgets.
- Leading all portfolio decisions inclusive of P&L management and supplier financials.
- Partnering with sales on distributor programming and education.
- Developing programs and toolkits to directly support selling efforts on and off premise.
- Partnering with our Ireland supplier, The Shed, on social strategy and content.
- Analyzing brand and marketing program performance through syndicated and internal data.
- Collaborating closely with suppliers/brand owners to prepare business review presentations of sales and marketing programs, results, and future plans.
- In-market visits to represent brands to wholesalers, key retailers, and market intelligence gathering alongside distributor sales reps and portfolio team.
- Overseeing line extensions and new brand launches including label creation and design, label copy and TTB approvals. Working closely with the supplier on related logistics.
- Tracking competition in-market across creative, in-store, and experiential efforts.
- Ensures continued differentiation of brands within the portfolio (brand positioning, voice, identity) and ongoing consistency of those brand IDs across all channels.
- Ensures inspiring relationships with internal and external agencies.
- Responsible for sharing team status with VP of Brand Excellence.
Qualifications/Requirements:
- Bachelor’s Degree required; MBA a plus
- Minimum 7 years’ experience in marketing (Spirits experience required)
- Minimum 3 years’ experience managing a team
- Superior organizational skills, detail-oriented, must be able to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a matrix organization
- Strong understanding of the US 3-Tier system, its laws and state-by-state route-to-market
- Strong understanding of media strategies and tactics, particularly on digital platforms
- Strong communication, both written and verbal and ability to present in front of large groups
- Ability to work independently and in a dynamic, high energy, team-oriented atmosphere
- Proficiency with technology, 3rd-party syndicated data platforms
- Domestic travel up to 10% with potential travel opportunity to Ireland
Benefits Overview:
We offer a competitive compensation package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(K), paid vacation, personal time off and 11 paid company holidays.
We are an equal opportunity employer.