Business Development Manager (On-Trade)
2 days ago
City Of Edinburgh
Business Development Manager (On-Trade) Scotland & North of England Field-Based | Full-Time | Competitive Base + Uncapped Performance Bonus Rutland Square Spirits is a premium drinks company building a scalable international spirits platform from Scotland. With strong UK on-trade traction and global expansion underway, we are accelerating distribution and rate-of-sale growth across Scotland and the North of England. We are seeking a high-performing Business Development Manager with experience in premium spirits, FMCG, or route-to-market partnerships — ideally from Diageo, Pernod Ricard, Bacardi, or an ambitious independent premium brand. This is a territory ownership role — not a support position. You will build, win, and scale distribution in premium independent free trade. The Mandate You will own Scotland & North of England as a commercial unit. Your focus: • Win premium independent free trade listings, • Drive weighted distribution and rate of sale, • Execute alongside RTM partners and wholesalers, • Build sustainable brand advocacy in-market This role suits someone who understands that: • Distribution without ROS is vanity., • Listings without visibility are temporary., • And territory planning is everything. Core Responsibilities • Open high-quality independent free trade accounts, • Secure menu placements, cocktail features, and back-bar visibility, • Drive reorder velocity through activation and training, • Execute structured joint business plans with wholesalers, • Maintain disciplined pipeline reporting and call rhythm, • Represent the brand at industry events and key accounts What success looks like (KPIs you’ll own) We’ll agree targets together, but you should expect to be measured on: • New account openings / new listings, • Active distribution and weighted distribution in priority venues, • Rate of sale and reorder frequency (by account and via RTM partners), • Activation cadence: tastings, staff training, and menu placements, • Wholesaler engagement: joint calls, focus lines, and contribution to partner targets Success Metrics (Clear & Measurable) • New distribution points (quality weighted), • Active distribution in priority venues, • Rate of sale per account, • Reorder frequency via RTM, • Activation cadence (trainings, menu features), • Contribution to territory revenue targets, • Experience in hospitality, drinks, or field sales with confidence in the on-trade, • Comfortable prospecting, negotiating, and closing in premium venues, • Organised and self-directed: you can run a territory without hand-holding, • A relationship builder with a commercial edge (you enjoy the win), • Full UK driving licence; happy travelling across the territory Ideal Profile • 3–7+ years in on-trade field sales or premium drinks, • Experience working with UK wholesalers / RTM partners, • Comfortable prospecting and negotiating premium placements, • Strong commercial acumen — understands margin, mix, and ROS, • Self-sufficient territory manager, • Full UK driving licence WSET or premium spirits education advantageous. What We Offer • Competitive base salary aligned to UK premium BDM benchmarks, • Performance bonus directly linked to measurable KPIs, • Travel expenses covered, • Real autonomy and territory ownership, • Clear progression as the company scales For the right individual, this role can evolve into a senior regional or national commercial position. How to apply Send your CV (or LinkedIn profile) plus a short note answering: 1. Which venues/areas in this territory would you win first, and why?, 2. What’s one recent brand win you’re proud of (listing/menu/activation)? DM me here on LinkedIn or email: • (Subject: BDM — Scotland & North England)