Business Development Manager; -Trade

Field-Based | Full-Time | Competitive Base + Uncapped Performance Bonus

Rutland Square Spirits is a premium drinks company building a scalable international spirits platform from Scotland. With strong UK on-trade traction and global expansion underway, we are accelerating distribution and rate-of-sale growth across Scotland and the North of England.

We are seeking a high-performing Business Development Manager with experience in premium spirits, FMCG, or route-to-market partnerships — ideally from Diageo, Pernod Ricard, Bacardi, or an ambitious independent premium brand.

This is a territory ownership role — not a support position. You will build, win, and scale distribution in premium independent free trade.

You will own Scotland & North of England as a commercial unit.

• Win premium independent free trade listings
• Drive weighted distribution and rate of sale
• Execute alongside RTM partners and wholesalers
• Build sustainable brand advocacy in-market

This role suits someone who understands that:

• Distribution without ROS is vanity.
• Listings without visibility are temporary.
• And territory planning is everything.

• Open high-quality independent free trade accounts
• Secure menu placements, cocktail features, and back-bar visibility
• Drive reorder velocity through activation and training
• Execute structured joint business plans with wholesalers
• Maintain disciplined pipeline reporting and call rhythm
• Represent the brand at industry events and key accounts

We’ll agree targets together, but you should expect to be measured on:

• Active distribution and weighted distribution in priority venues
• Rate of sale and reorder frequency (by account and via RTM partners)
• Activation cadence: tastings, staff training, and menu placements
• Wholesaler engagement: joint calls, focus lines, and contribution to partner targets

• New distribution points (quality weighted)
• Active distribution in priority venues
• Rate of sale per account
• Reorder frequency via RTM
• Contribution to territory revenue targets
• Experience in hospitality, drinks, or field sales with confidence in the on-trade
• Comfortable prospecting, negotiating, and closing in premium venues
• Organised and self-directed: you can run a territory without hand-holding
• A relationship builder with a commercial edge (you enjoy the win)
• Full UK driving licence; happy travelling across the territory

• 3–7+ years in on-trade field sales or premium drinks
• Experience working with UK wholesalers / RTM partners
• Comfortable prospecting and negotiating premium placements
• Strong commercial acumen — understands margin, mix, and ROS
• Self-sufficient territory manager
• Full UK driving licence
• WSET or premium spirits education advantageous.

• Competitive base salary aligned to UK premium BDM benchmarks
• Performance bonus directly linked to measurable KPIs
• Real autonomy and territory ownership
• Clear progression as the company scales

For the right individual, this role can evolve into a senior regional or national commercial position.

Send your CV (or Linked In profile) plus a short note answering:

1. Which venues/areas in this territory would you win first, and why?

2. What’s one recent brand win you’re proud of (listing/menu/activation)?

• (Subject: BDM — Scotland & North England)