Market Development Specialist

Company Description

Inspira is a brand relationship agency. We focus on cultivating deeper, long-term relationships between brands and consumers, creating powerful, active communities and lasting loyalty. Because brands are like people, the best ones are those people enjoy getting to know better.

This candidate must be based in San Francisco/San Jose, CA.

The Market Development Specialist serves as the dedicated in‑market representative for the spirit’s portfolio within an assigned territory.

This role brings the portfolio strategy to life by expanding distribution, increasing portfolio presence, building influential trade relationships, and identifying opportunities that drive sustainable growth.

Working closely with distributor partners, key accounts, and trade stakeholders, the MDS acts as a consultative seller, market expert, and portfolio advocate — leveraging data, local market knowledge, and strong relationships to influence decisions and drive commercial performance.

Success requires strong business acumen, entrepreneurial thinking, relationship‑building skills, and a passion for helping brands win in market.

• Drive distribution growth across a focused set of priority brands
• Identify and secure new placement opportunities within target accounts
• Increase menu presence, feature activity, back‑bar visibility, and account penetration
• Partner with distributor teams to influence account decisions and accelerate growth opportunities
• Utilize sales data, market intelligence, and local insights to identify opportunities and prioritize efforts
• Develop account‑specific recommendations and action plans designed to improve performance
• Execute against core portfolio priorities, including designated focus brands, seasonal initiatives and/or market‑specific opportunities

• Manage a defined universe of priority on‑premise accounts within an assigned market
• Build and maintain relationships with operators, bartenders, beverage directors, retail buyers, and distributor personnel
• Establish and grow a core group of high‑value accounts that drive long‑term market impact
• Serve as a trusted advisor and portfolio advocate within the local trade community
• Conduct regular account visits and maintain consistent follow‑up against identified opportunities

• Deliver product education and training to trade and distributor partners
• Build awareness, advocacy, and recommendation within the trade community
• Support distributor education efforts and local selling initiatives
• Identify opportunities to strengthen portfolio relevance and visibility within market
• Execute local programming, events, and activation initiatives that support commercial objectives

• Analyze sales performance, distribution data, and account trends to identify opportunities and gaps
• Monitor competitive activity and emerging market dynamics
• Capture and communicate account feedback, market insights, and business recommendations
• Maintain accurate reporting and KPI tracking
• Provide actionable recommendations designed to improve market performance and accelerate growth

• Participate in quarterly market blitzes and concentrated growth initiatives
• Support priority business needs, distributor mandates, market launches, and portfolio priorities
• Travel as needed to support regional and national initiatives (less than 25% of time)
• Collaborate across markets to maximize impact and share best practices

• Must be able to regularly lift, carry, push, and/or pull items weighing at least 15 pounds and up to 50 pounds.
• Must be able to perform physical tasks associated with the role, including moving materials, equipment, and supplies as needed.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, stoop, reach, and perform repetitive motions for extended periods as required by the position.

• Bachelor's degree preferred
• 3‑4 years of beverage alcohol, hospitality, field sales, distributor, broker, or related commercial experience
• Strong understanding of the three‑tier system and beverage…