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 seeks an Associate Brand Manager, Innovation, reporting to the Senior Brand Manager, Innovation, to conceive and develop new products that engage consumers, enhance brand equity and build long-term profit growth for the company. This is a hybrid home/office opportunity at the company's headquarters in Stamford, CT.

The Associate Brand Manager, Innovation will join a team of Innovation specialists in developing a pipeline of products - in both wine and spirits - that broaden our existing brands and create new opportunities for development.

This position requires a creative mindset that encourages others to think bigger, and to work cross-functionally with internal stakeholders and external agencies to produce best-in-class results. Using the Stage-Gate process, this individual will ensure a disciplined and consistent approach to idea development from concept, to liquid, to packaging to brand asset creation.

Responsibilities are outlined below. These responsibilities are representative of the key areas of focus but are not limited to the items listed below.

Responsibilities:

• Works with the Senior Brand Manager to shepherd projects through the Stage-Gate process, ensuring the integrity of an idea or concept is maintained throughout. Mastery of the stage-gate process and associated digital platforms is a key function of this role.
• Supports the team in gathering consumer insights, industry trends, competitive intelligence, to create a holistic view of the consumer, enabling better briefs and product formation
• Assists in the crafting of exceptional briefs that inspire our creative partners to think bigger and deliver concepts and ideas that surpass our consumer research success benchmarks.
• Assist in the design and implementation of consumer research, in conjunction with our Consumer Insights Team.
• Help guide development work, pushing for new and better ways to address business challenges and communication objectives.
• Participates in the development of launch strategies and exciting D1 national launch presentations in close partnership with the Brand Teams
• Participates in the management of the innovation budget on a project-by-project basis, including joint responsibility for managing agency RFPs; develop a competency in understanding Brand P&Ls, particularly with regard to product development.

Critical Skills:

• Structured thinker, effective communicator with excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to collaborate with partners across all levels of the organization
• Excellent organizational and project management skills. Highly organized with an affinity for operational processes and systems; must demonstrate painstaking attention to detail.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects with large groups of distributed stakeholders and project team members simultaneously
• Self-starter with the ability to navigate ambiguity with thoughtful problem-solving.
• The ability to anticipate, problem solve, make quick decisions in an environment of ambiguity, break down barriers to progress through personal initiative, influencing others or rapidly escalating issues.
• Is optimistic in the face of barriers and failures, has the patience and fortitude to press forward with new solutions and/or ideas until the best one is found.
• Effective influencer of senior managers as well as cross-functional business partners; natural collaborator, proactive, solutions oriented; excellent communication skills-written & verbal.
• Demonstrates financial competency in managing project budgets, Request for Proposals, etc
• An understanding and experience with consumer research, including when to use and how to interpret consumer data.
• Solid knowledge of marketing principles and the creative development process

Qualifications:

• BS/BA degree, ideally in Marketing or Communications; MBA preferred.
• 2-5 years of Innovation and/or brand management experience (preferably client-side).
• Experience in CPG a plus, but not required.

What We Offer:

• Competitive compensation
• Career development opportunities
• Medical, dental, vision and life insurance, PTO
• 401 (k) match
• Product allowance to enjoy on DFWS products
• Tuition Reimbursement and a Pot Secondary education 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.

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, Girard Winery, Force & Grace, Josh Cellars, Josh Cellars Reserve, Layer Cake, The Calling; France: Andre Lurton, 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 Tequilla.

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