Category Developer - Westminster​/Thornton

Job Description Summary

The Category Developer is the sales lead for their assigned portfolio within a targeted account base. They are focused against increasing share and velocity of their assigned commodity using tactics that help sell‑in the right brands to customers and sell‑out to consumers via planning and execution of brand activations. This role must maintain strong relationships with the key stakeholders/gatekeepers of the supplier accounts and be the ‘go‑to’ consultant for the accounts.

The Category Developer will be active with in‑market events and education.

Our Category Developers will be required to participate in a two-week ‘in‑person’ Academy Category Training.

This position will support accounts in the greater Westminster / Thornton area.

Drive and deliver on sales and marketing goals of assigned category and brands.

• Serve as the expert and resource for the division or group in developing beverage and marketing strategies and plans for growth of assigned category.
• Research trends, category, and portfolio to ensure that the group or division and company meet supplier goals as established.
• Present new products and beverage offerings and conduct monthly business reviews.
• Plan high‑end consumer activations within key accounts to elevate category awareness based on customer needs.
• Drive real‑time market insights to inform, apply, unlock, and accelerate growth.
• Lead, organize, report, field intel and insights for assigned territory and categories.

Collaborate with on‑premise & retail sales teams, developing creative solutions to help drive business and growth in assigned categories across their assigned territory.

• Develop and deliver training modules to the sales team, customers, and suppliers regarding sales trends.
• Determine specific areas in which the category has opportunity for growth (territories, accounts, etc.).
• Establish merchandising objectives relative to brand priority for each account by understanding company priorities and defining POS needs to the supplier.
• Focus on increasing share and velocity of assigned category.
• Ownership of account plan and execution based on brand plans.
• Obtain appropriate distribution of category throughout account base by presenting and selling based on the brands’ features and benefits.
• Conduct staff education and building of the category.

Maintain and build strong relationships with the key stakeholders/gatekeepers of the assigned accounts.

• Participate in supplier and category specific work‑with sales calls.
• Attend educational workshops, review professional publications, establish personal networks to build and maintain industry knowledge.
• Maintain customer confidence and protect operations by keeping information confidential.
• Maintain a safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules and regulations.

Other duties, as assigned by the jobholder’s supervisor, may also be required.

• Bachelor’s degree in related field and/or equivalent training and work experience.
• Minimum of 3 years in sales or industry related experience.
• Deep knowledge of category or responsibility that this role will support.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and be able to operate a motor vehicle.
• Proficient PC skills using MS Office and other various computer programs including presentation software.
• Must be a results‑oriented professional with verbal/written communication skills using diplomacy and discretion as well as customer service skills.
• Ability to multi‑task, work independently and/or within a team, pay attention to detail and meet deadlines.
• Analytic and Reporting skills.
• Utilize sound judgement and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to work in fast‑paced, high‑volume, team environment.

• 5 years’ experience in industry or related and category expertise experience; such as:
  • CSS Certification or WSET Spirits level 2; or
  • Category specific certifications (Whiskey or Tequila)
• On‑premise/hospitality experience.
• Strong understanding or background of consumer engagement mechanics.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, sit; talk, hear,…