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Vice President, Business Development – Spirits

Breakthru Beverage · Cicero, IL · $200,000–$250,000 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 1, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you scaled a supplier strategy across multiple markets with different conditions.

What they are checking: Multi-market experience and adapting execution to local differences.

Tell me about a time you developed sales and marketing capability in an organization.

What they are checking: Building lasting capabilities, which the posting lists as a core purpose.

How do you keep supplier and company cultures aligned over time?

What they are checking: Long-term relationship stewardship, which the posting calls out explicitly.

What would you do

How would you build a relationship with a major spirits supplier that wants us to outperform their national average?

What they are checking: Strategic supplier partnership skill tied to the performance goal the posting names.

How do you get regional presidents and general managers aligned behind a supplier's brand plan?

What they are checking: Influence without direct authority across a distributed organization.

A supplier is unhappy with performance in two markets. How do you respond?

What they are checking: Ability to diagnose, own the issue and rebuild confidence with a key partner.

How would you handle a conflict between what a supplier wants and what our market leaders think is right?

What they are checking: Balancing supplier and company interests while keeping trust on both sides.

About the work

How do you decide which growth opportunities to put resources behind?

What they are checking: Business judgment using data on brands, channels and market potential.

What does great brand activation look like in a market, from the warehouse to the shelf?

What they are checking: Understanding of what drives execution in the distribution business.

What trends in the spirits category are you watching, and how would they shape strategy?

What they are checking: Industry knowledge and forward thinking about the spirits business.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Breakthru Beverage.

Are you a current Associate? To be considered, you must submit your application through the internal Career Portal (Jobs Hub). Click here to access. Time Type: Full time Remote Type: Job Family Group: Commercial Job Description Summary: To build outstanding sales & marketing capabilities throughout the organization, which enhance and champion BBG’s corporate relationships with wine, spirits & beer suppliers. Provide the BBG business with strategic short and long-term direction based upon supplier sales, marketing and corporate strategies. Enhance BBG’s position as preferred partner through superior performance and comprehensive activation. Maintain and strengthen the existing alignment of BBG and supplier cultures and drive the performance plan better than the supplier’s national average. Leverage multi-market sales experience and a deep understanding of market-level differences to drive consistent execution, identify growth opportunities, and scale supplier strategies across BBG’s markets. Job Description: This role follows a flexible hybrid schedule and can be performed from any Breakthru Beverage office location. Job Responsibilities: • Develop collaborative relationships with BBG Regional Presidents, General Managers & BMs to align and build momentum around Supplier’s vision, portfolio, and brand strategies to ensure seamless activation and execution of Supplier’s brand goals, strategies, and programs; identify opportunities, anticipate market-specific needs, and drive consistent commercial execution across markets. Drive expansion of Supplier relationships to new BBG markets. • Identify opportunities for Supplier resource efficiency and investment strategies. • Develop collaborative relationships with all levels of Supplier’s Sales, Marketing, Strategy, Finance, Purchasing, HR, Digital and PR teams. • Negotiate/solicit Supplier Marketing for collaborative opportunities such as product launches, test markets, strategic marketing/consumer research and field-testing. Provide input towards and communicate BBG strategies and vision to Supplier. • Identify and define consumer and customer growth drivers for BBG and Supplier’s brands. Identify and communicate consumer and customer trends and competitive activity to Supplier and propose solutions, actions, and interventions to address opportunities quickly. • Manage Supplier’s sales/marketing calendar. • Ensure optimal alignment across the calendar. • Optimize synergistic programming, messaging and timing to create initiatives that drive growth. • Identify and develop cross portfolio opportunities as appropriate. • Actively partner with Supplier’s agencies for seamless integration and 360-activation in all BBG markets. • Collaborate with BBG’s Commercial Excellence Team and local Trade resources to develop local marketing materials consistent with brand positioning. • Evaluate qualitative performance and share best practices across markets. • Create, implement, and monitor Supplier Satisfaction Scorecard for all BBG markets. • Other duties, as assigned by the jobholder’s supervisor, may also be required. Minimum Qualifications: • Bachelor’s degree in related field and/or equivalent training and work experience • Minimum of 10 years’ experience in finance, commercial, sales with significant leadership experience in a beverage alcohol distributor or combination of experience at both the supplier and distributor tier • Demonstrated multi-market sales experience, with responsibility for leading, influencing, or driving commercial performance across multiple geographic markets, regions, or territories • Proven ability to translate enterprise or supplier strategies into market-level sales plans and drive consistent execution while adapting to local market dynamics • Advanced 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 Preferred Qualifications: • MBA • Significant experience in a beverage alcohol distributor or supplier with emphasis in spirits and/or wine • Experience leading sales initiatives across multiple markets with varying customer, competitive, regulatory, and commercial dynamics • Analytical abilities and in-depth experience with core Breakthru systems (e.g. SAP, DSS, HANA, etc.) • Knowledge of legacy Sales organization and deep understanding of sales/pricing processes/trade development, business managers processes • Proficient in Power Point, Excel, Nielsen Data • Expertise in local market pricing and programming systems/regulations • Experience with large-scale change management and driving change through influence Physical Requirements: • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to remain in a stationary position at times; communicate, and operate a computer and telephone Competencies: • People management responsibility for pay reviews, performance management, training, and resource planning. • Requires conceptual thinking to understand complex issues and their implications, where sufficient information may not be available. This job description is only a summary of the typical functions of this position, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks and duties. Responsibilities, tasks, and duties of individual jobholders may vary from the above description. Any offered salary is determined based on internal equity, internal salary ranges, market data/ranges, applicant’s skills and prior relevant experience. Salary Range: $200,000 - $250,000 This position is eligible to participate in a bonus program. Metrics and level of participation are determined annually. This position is eligible for health care benefits, life insurance, time off benefits and participation in the Company’s 401(k) plan - - Breakthru Beverage Group is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. The EEO is the Law poster is available here . If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please call (708) 298-3536 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

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