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About the Role

The Business Development Manager is a new, field-focused sales role responsible for driving distribution, visibility, and velocity of IJW Spirits’ brands across on- and off-premise accounts. This role leads direct selling efforts, executes brand objectives, and educates trade partners and consumers. Success requires a competitive, self-starting mindset, strong discipline, a sense of urgency, and a relentless focus on winning in the market.

Responsibilities

Sell IJW brands directly to On and Off-Premise customers.
Recruit consumers through education and sampling.
Sell in distribution, secure menu placements, and establish back-bar placement.
Ensure shelves are set to standard and achieve targeted display execution.
Execute brand building in targeted accounts, educate staff and buyers, and evaluate pricing strategies, brand positioning, visibility, and promotional merchandising.
Develop strong relationships with bartenders, bar managers, waitstaff, and owners to drive drink features, cocktail menu placements, staff advocacy, and education.
Operate with urgency and discipline to out-execute competition, identify performance gaps, and maximize opportunities in assigned territory.
Work closely with distributor sales teams to prioritize activities, lead by example in the field, and ensure consistent execution against agreed-upon goals.
Attend and motivate distributor personnel at General Sales Meetings.
Maintain a strong understanding of competitive pricing strategies and consumer dynamics to adjust to drive volume.
Plan and execute tastings, promotions, educations, events, ride-withs, and market blitzes.
Utilize provided systems to track performance, distribution, and executional wins.
Provide clear market intel and insights to sales and marketing leadership.

Requirements

3–5+ years of experience in spirits sales, brand development, or field marketing.
Proven success selling directly to On and Off-Premise accounts.
Strong understanding of the three-tier system.
Demonstrated ability to execute brand standards consistently and without compromise.
Experience working with distributor partners and leading from the field.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, performance-driven environment.
Ability to motivate and inspire stakeholders (team members, distributors, customers, influencers, consumers).
Valid driver’s license and ability to travel extensively within assigned territory.

Skills

Deep knowledge of the spirits category, competitive set, and on/off-premise dynamics.
Exceptional selling, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
High level of industry curiosity, discipline, personal accountability, and attention to detail.
Strong work ethic with a “do‑the‑work” mindset.
Ability to “find a way”, prioritize, execute, and deliver results with limited supervision.
Confident communicator with the presence to influence customers and distributor partners.
Comfortable being measured by execution and results.
Competitive.
Good teammate.

Location

Northern California
Southern California
Dallas
Miami
New York

Work Type

Field-focused
Full-time

Experience Level

3-5+ years

Benefits

401(k) with matching
Health, dental, vision insurance
Health savings and flexible savings account
Short-term and long-term disability insurance
Paid time off
Referral program
Life insurance

About the Company

IJW Whiskey Company, LLC (IJW) is a dynamic, fully integrated spirits company founded in 2017.
We have compiled the largest independent library of aged Kentucky bourbon and rye and established a global presence including offices in Beverly Hills, Louisville and Tokyo, Japan, and a 40-acre campus in Danville.
Our ambitious growth trajectory includes a new whiskey distillery in Shelbyville, KY, slated for completion in early 2026, and a Japanese distillery in Chitose that will be completed in late 2026.
With over 100 years of combined industry expertise, our diverse team of seasoned professionals and dynamic newcomers has propelled IJW to the forefront of the spirits industry.
Our strategic partnership with one of the nation's largest independent Wine & Spirits distributors has enabled us to offer 22 products across four unique private label bourbon brands in 28 states.
We have added to our spirits portfolio with our first Tequila and Mezcal brands.