Brands Manager - NonAlc Beverages

Summary 

The Brands Manager plays a key role in driving the success of Columbia Distributing’s brand portfolio within the market. This position partners with supplier representatives, sales leadership, and retail customers to translate brand strategy into strong market presence and sustainable growth. By combining industry knowledge, data insights, and close collaboration with field teams, the Brands Manager helps ensure brands are positioned for success across distribution, promotions, and customer engagement. This role also serves as an important connection point between suppliers and internal teams, helping align priorities and support the continued growth of Columbia’s beverage portfolio.

 

Primary Responsibilities

• Work with supplier representative to create annual business plan
• Create and implement brand focus plan objectives to include company and supplier goals of volume, profit, distribution, display, promotions and marketing expense
• Analyze available data sources and utilize data to drive improved performance within the sales teams and the retail trade
• Work with supplier and sales teams on a consistent basis to ensure Focus plans are executed, achieved and training is performed
• Work with and assist category management team to ensure brand objectives are met through the category management reset process
• Actively participate in all sales meetings, promotional events and training sessions relevant to brand management
• Serve as a primary conduit between retailers, field sales and senior management for all market intelligence
• Develop and maintain positive, cooperative and team-orientated relationships with co-workers and customers
• Manage inventory including brand forecasts as well as inventory expense versus budget
• Market survey (MVP) program execution according to company standards
• Maintain a high level of industry knowledge for beer and non-alcoholic beverages including education, Nielsen's, market share, trade journals, etc.
• Adhere to all state liquor laws and regulations
• Recruit, train, supervise and evaluate department staff
• Demonstrate behaviors consistent with those of the Company's Core Values at all times
• Complete all other tasks or projects as assigned

 

Key Competencies

• General knowledge of industry products
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple tasks and meet deadlines
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Effective organizational and time management skills
• Ability to develop strong relationships with internal and external customers
• Active listening skills/listening for intention
• Dealing with difficult personalities/conflict resolution
• Negotiation tactics

 

People Management

None

Work Environment

This job operates in our accounts, mostly indoors with occasional outdoor work.

Physical Demands

• Lift/Carry and Push/Pull up to 165lbs.
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