Business Development Executive – On Trade Spirits
3 days ago
Edinburgh
Scotland & North of England Field-Based | Full-Time | Competitive Salary + Bonus Rutland Square Spirits is building a premium spirits company from Scotland with international ambitions. We are a young, fast-growing drinks business focused on developing distinctive spirits brands and expanding distribution across key hospitality markets. With strong traction in the UK on-trade and international expansion underway, we are continuing to grow our presence across Scotland and the North of England. We are now looking for a Business Development Executive to join the commercial team and help drive the next stage of growth. This is an exciting opportunity for someone early in their commercial career who understands hospitality and wants to learn how premium spirits brands are built and scaled in the on-trade. You may currently be working as a brand ambassador, bartender, bar manager, account executive or junior field sales representative, and be ready to step into a role with more commercial responsibility. You will manage a territory across Scotland and into Northern England, building relationships with venues and route-to-market partners while developing distribution for the Rutland Square Spirits portfolio. The Role: This is a hands-on field sales role where success comes from building strong relationships and maintaining consistent activity across your territory. Your responsibilities will include: • Securing new listings in high-quality on-trade venues, • Developing relationships with bartenders, venue managers and buyers, • Supporting existing accounts to increase visibility and rate of sale, • Working with wholesalers and route-to-market partners to expand distribution, • Supporting cocktail menu placements and brand activations, • Delivering tastings and staff training sessions in venues, • Managing territory planning, activity tracking and reporting What Success Looks Like: Success in this role will be measured by: • Growth in active distribution across your territory, • New listings in priority on-trade venues, • Strong engagement with wholesalers and route-to-market partners, • Increased rate of sale within existing accounts, • Consistent activation activity including tastings, menu placements and trainings What We’re Looking For: We are looking for someone who enjoys hospitality culture and is excited about building a premium drinks brand in the on-trade. You may have: • 1–3 years experience in hospitality, drinks, FMCG or field sales, • A strong understanding of how on-trade venues operate, • Existing relationships within the bar and hospitality community (helpful but not essential), • Confidence talking about spirits, cocktails and brands, • Strong organisation and territory management skills, • A proactive, energetic and relationship-focused mindset, • A full UK driving licence, • Most importantly, we are looking for someone motivated, personable and excited about the drinks industry. This Role Could Be Ideal If You Are: • A brand ambassador ready to move into a commercial role, • A bartender or bar manager interested in a career in spirits sales, • A junior field sales representative or account executive looking to specialise in premium drinks What We Offer • Competitive salary plus performance bonus, • Travel expenses covered, • Ownership of your own sales territory, • Opportunity to learn the commercial side of the premium spirits industry, • Career progression as the company continues to grow, • For the right person, this role offers a clear pathway into a long-term career in premium drinks sales, brand building and international spirits distribution. How to Apply: Please send a short note answering the following question: • Tell us about two on-trade venues you know well in Scotland or Northern England., • Why are they influential in their local scene, and which spirits brands perform well there? Application Deadline: Applications will close on 27 March 2026. We encourage early applications as interviews may begin before the closing date. Apply via LinkedIn or email: Paul Crolla