Brand Manager - New York and New Jersey
Location: New Rochelle, NY

Position Overview:
The Brand Manager for New York and New Jersey is responsible for leading portfolio management for designated wine and spirits suppliers across both markets. This role focuses on developing and executing profitable growth strategies, strengthening supplier partnerships, and equipping internal teams with the tools, insights, and support needed to achieve shared business objectives.

Key Responsibilities:
Strategy & Portfolio Management

Help define supplier go-to-market strategies, pricing approaches, and portfolio profitability targets.
Stay current on category analytics, market trends, and supplier-relevant industry developments.
Share data-driven insights with the sales team to support portfolio growth and market execution.
Oversee portfolio sales forecasts and inventory performance, with close attention to high-growth items, turn levels, and healthy stock positions.
Take a leadership role in business reviews by communicating progress, successes, and opportunities across short-, near-, and long-term depletion and placement goals.

Sales Enablement & Education

Support sales representatives directly and through educational initiatives for both internal teams and customers.
Deliver formal and informal wine and spirits education to the M.S. Walker sales team and customers.
Create authentic, producer-specific content to support internal and external sales efforts.
Design sales incentive programs with clearly defined goals, sales expectations, and distribution targets.
Translate press reviews, vintage releases, market data, packaging updates, and technical information into effective sales support materials and point-of-sale resources.

Supplier & Market Relationship Management

Serve as a category and portfolio expert while building relationships with key accounts across New York and New Jersey.
Develop deep knowledge of supplier products through in-market work, supplier visits, internal training, and field travel.
Maintain and strengthen supplier relationships through consistent, direct communication.
Coordinate supplier-specific events, market visits, and field activity with producers.

Cross-Functional Leadership & Compliance

Communicate regularly with senior management, purchasing, receiving, sales, administration, accounts payable and receivable, marketing, corporate teams, and suppliers.
Ensure compliance with state regulations and internal portfolio policies in partnership with compliance and administrative teams.

Qualifications:

10+ years of experience in portfolio, brand, or supplier management, or in a related sales or marketing leadership role.
10+ years of experience in the wine and spirits industry.
Bachelor’s degree required.
Goal-oriented professional with a strong work ethic, positive attitude, and collaborative approach.
Excellent organizational, follow-up, communication, critical thinking, and analytical skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Zoom, and Teams.

Benefits:
We offer a Comprehensive Benefits Plan that includes the following:

Medical & Dental Insurance
Vision Coverage
Paid-Time-Off Program
Fidelity Investments 401k
Disability, Life, Accident & Illness Insurance Packages
Discounted Fitness Memberships
Free & Discounted Work/Life Resources
Career Advancement Opportunities

Who we are:
Founded in Boston in 1933, M.S. Walker is a 5th-generation, family-owned wine and spirits importer and distributor, a spirits bottler, and a national supplier. We serve On-Premise and Off-Premise establishments throughout the Northeast, with direct operations in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey and Rhode Island and brokerage operations in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. We represent a budding portfolio of wine and spirits nationwide, including our own brands, and we strive to offer the most prestigious portfolio in the industry. M.S. Walker has built our foundation and future on our people – our employees are truly our greatest asset. Our company boasts a diverse pool of exceptionally special team members who each bring their unique skills and experience to the organization.

Mission Statement:
Since 1933, our mission has been firmly rooted in our core values of family, integrity, respect, honesty, and hard work. We are deeply committed to upholding these principles for our team members, customers and suppliers alike. We seek to build and maintain long-lasting relationships based on trust and reliability. By honoring our heritage and embracing innovation, we aim to continuously improve and adapt to meet the evolving needs of our industry, while responsibly contributing to the communities we serve. Together, we strive to elevate the spirit of hospitality and foster a vibrant and respectful culture in all facets of the organization and beyond.

Pay Range: $85,000 - $120,000 base salary + bonus program.

Brand Manager - New York and New Jersey

About M.S. WALKER INC.