Bib & Tucker Head Blender - Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits : Job Details

CHEERS! Founded in 1981, Deutsch Family Wine and Spirits markets quality wines produced by prestigious families from major wine regions of the world. With our headquarters in Stamford, CT, DFWS is the 4th largest wine company with one of the fastest growing spirits portfolios. With our family values and unique culture, DFWS was recognized as one of the Top Workplaces in the U.S. in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits is currently seeking a Head Blender for Bib & Tucker Small Batch Bourbon who possesses the below qualifications.

Reporting to the Vice President of Spirits, the Head Blender, Bib & Tucker will inspire consumers, on/off trade professionals and distributor partners to become staunch advocates of this up-and-coming brand. Furthermore, the Head Blender will deliver award winning quality through working with the production team on the brand's current whiskey portfolio and drive exciting future innovation. In addition to being a charismatic bourbon storyteller, the head blender will exemplify the brand values of discovery and exploration with a witty, vibrant personality and a high level of integrity. This role requires significant travel to promote the brand to consumers, press and the trade executing educational mentoring events, as well as building out their expertise on the blending/production side.

This role requires significant travel and will provide brand education to targeted DFWS salespeople, distributors, major retailers, top bartenders, and target consumers. The Head Blender will be the face of the brand at key industry events and festivals and responsible for development and implementation of trade advocacy focused national programming. In addition, this person will create custom programming in which he or she will execute it, within a designated budget, and with the guidance from the VP Marketing.

• Natural and charismatic storyteller, with strong public speaking skills, who enjoys sharing their bourbon tales with others.
• Strong interpersonal skills who is comfortable with building strong relationships with suppliers, consumers, and the trade.
• Media training and comfort with conducting interviews with the press including on-camera and for print/online.
• Ability to successfully partner with cross-functional teams, particularly brand team, to execute Bib & Tucker strategic priorities.
• Comfortable in communicating the steps associated with spirits production and category education in a clear and simple fashion.
• Ability to work independently and complete tasks in a timely fashion.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Comfortable in a fast-paced production environment
• Self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced working environment and the challenges of having to achieve deadlines and targets.
• Able to manage, track and forecast funds while executing within a prescribed budget.
• A team player who enjoys solving problems and is solution orientated.
• A passion for delivering excellence in a cost-effective way.
• Comfortable in a corporate yet artistic environment.
• Experience with production teams and brands in the brown spirits space.
• Expert tasting palette with ability to recognize and describe off quality defects in matured spirits.

Responsibilities:

The Head Blender will dedicate 70% of their efforts to representing Bib & Tucker publicly as the brand's credible external face of the brand, while allocating the remaining 30% to serving as an influential internal leader alongside production colleagues and helping establish a clear vision for the brand's future. Serve as national facing product knowledge expert for Bib & Tucker Bourbon; with a flair for storytelling and effective way to communicate brand's features, benefits, story, and personality.

• Trade Engagement / Education
  • Serve as national facing product knowledge expert for Bib & Tucker Bourbon; with a flair for storytelling and effective way to communicate brand's features, benefits, heritage and personality
  • Educate DFWS, trade, retailer, and distributor/broker partners on Bib & Tucker distinctive whiskey profile
  • Support sales division teams at distributor meetings and events
  • Help expand whiskey knowledge within DFWS
• Media / PR / Partnerships
  • Develop and maintain close relationship with national journalists as well as local journalists in key markets for trade, industry and lifestyle media. Using opportunities to build awareness around events, rare and vintage releases, and the distillery
  • Conduct media interviews for on camera, print and digital executions.
  • Working with PR and PR agencies to identify sponsorship & partnership opportunities within brand guidelines
• Consumer Education / Events / Mentoring
  • Support on-trade and consumer shows as required; attend and manage the brand's footprint at festivals and other events in core markets
  • Lead consumer driven mentoring programming conducting world class tastings and bringing the brand to life for consumers and trade.
  • Retailer-
  • Assist in planning and execution of key national events and trade programming
• Commercial Team
  • Support sales division teams at distributor meetings and events
• Reporting
  • Provide monthly recaps of all activities
  • Maintain accurate and up to date monthly budget and expenses
  • KPI self-assessment
  • Report markets trends and competitor activity
• Operations/Production
  • Responsible for working with the DFWS Master Blender on blending quality of the Bib & Tucker portfolio achieving the highest levels of quality and creativity.
  • Desire to push the envelope and explore new-to-world and new-to-brand innovation; work alongside DFWS Master Blender to drive Bib & Tucker Bourbon innovation agenda
  • Must have a true passion for, and a detailed understanding of distillation the components that affect a distilled spirit's flavor and development.
  • Willingness and ability to drive, travel and spend time in remote co-packing facilities.
  • Participate in DFWS tasting panel to identify competitive sets.

What We Offer:

• Medical, dental, vision and life insurance, PTO
• 401(k) match
• Product allowance to enjoy on DFWS products
• Tuition Reimbursement and a Scholarship Program for employees' children
• Gym reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program

We Value Diversity

At DFWS, we believe that our differences are our strengths. We embrace and celebrate the diversity of our team members, our customers, and our communities. We strive to create a work environment that fosters inclusion, respect, and collaboration. We are constantly learning and growing from our diverse perspectives and experiences. Inclusion and diversity are not just goals for us, but the core of all we do. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates as we foster a culture of inclusion that provides fair and equal opportunities for all. Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

About Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits

Initially called W.J. Deutsch & Sons Ltd., the company was founded in 1981 by Chairman Bill Deutsch to market quality wines produced by prestigious families from major wine regions of the world. In 2009, it announced the expansion of the award-winning company to include a Spirits Portfolio. Today the company is renowned for its brand-building prowess and its ability to meet the needs of the modern consumer. Bill's son Peter Deutsch is CEO; thus two generations of the Deutsch family work side by side in their continuous quest to build strong brands and relationships throughout the wine and spirits industry.

The portfolio includes award-winning wines from Australia: [ yellow tail ], [ yellow tail ] Pure Bright; California: Bellacosa, Force & Grace, Honest Thief, Josh Cellars, Josh Cellars Reserve, The Calling; France: Beau Joie, Cave de Lugny, Fleurs de Prairie, Hob Nob Vineyards, Sauvion et Fils; Italy: Barone Fini, Villa Pozzi; New Zealand: The Crossings; Portugal: Quinta Do Vale Meao; Argentina: Clos de los Siete; and award-winning spirits: Redemption Whiskey, Bib & Tucker Bourbon, Masterson's Rye, Gray Whale Gin, Luksusowa Vodka and Cantera Negra Tequila.

Learn more about Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits at www.deutschfamily.com

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