Senior Brand Manager, Innovation - WJ Deutsch & Sons : Job Details

Job DetailsLevel Management Job Location CT - CT Secondary Job Location(s) NY - NY Job Category Brand Marketing DescriptionCHEERS! 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, 2024 and 2025. Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits seeks a Senior Brand Manager, Innovation, reporting to the Director of 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 Senior 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:

• Support the Director of Innovation in developing a pipeline of Innovation for our Wine & Spirits portfolio, leveraging consumer insights, industry trends, competitive intelligence, and a deep understanding of production capabilities (including distillation and winemaking).
• Write exceptional briefs that inspire our creative partners to think bigger and deliver concepts/ideas that surpass our internal success benchmarks.
• With the support of the Director of New Products and Project Management team, leading the process of bringing new products to life, from concept to first case shipped, using the Stage Gate process.
• Demonstrate a mastery of the Stage Gate process, and a facility for leading cross-functional teams through this process, resulting in flawless on-time execution of our Innovation priorities.
• Work with Consumer Insights and the Director of Innovation to develop benchmarking criteria and best practices for DFWS Innovation that enable quicker decision-making by management.
• Work with Creative Services team and/or external agency partners to deliver breakthrough creative executions in packaging and other brand support materials. Demonstrate a strong facility for brand building and use of DFWS strategic and brand building tools.
• Work with Business Intelligence to identify trends, or portfolio opportunities, that Innovation can exploit faster than our competition.
• Lead the development of launch strategies and exciting national launch presentations - crafted in conjunction with our Brand partners -- to include the creation of ATL (above-the-line) and BTL (below-the-line) launch materials in support of a new product introduction.
• Develop and manage Innovation budgets on a project-by-project basis, including agency RFPs.
• Develop a deep knowledge of brand P&Ls and Cost structures.

Critical Skills:

• Has a vision for how to structure projects, work autonomously, engage with cross functional resources, encourage bigger thinking, and deliver consistently reliable results on tight deadlines.
• 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
• The ability to articulate new ideas, create compelling stories and translate data/trends into usable strategies and insights.
• Write effective strategies and briefs, leveraging Consumer Insights, Business Insights and other internal and external resources.
• Understand and respond to commercial needs with ideas and insights articulated in a manner that promotes general understanding and acceptance.
• Demonstrate financial competency in managing project budgets, request for proposals, and the like.
• The ability to inspire internal and external partners to produce superior strategic and creative output. And to rally cross-functional teams to break down barriers and solve problems.
• Proficient understanding and experience with consumer research, including when to use and how to interpret consumer data.
• Deep curiosity and the ability to think of creative solutions to problems.
• Diverse portfolio of skills and experience, including depth of knowledge in concept development, strategic positioning, research methodologies and fluent in the application of packaging regulations
• Effective influencer of senior management as well as cross-functional business partners; natural collaborator, proactive, solutions oriented; excellent communication skills-written & verbal.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.

Qualifications:

• BS/BA degree, preferably in Marketing or Communications; MBA preferred.
• 7+ years of Innovation and/or Brand Management experience (preferably in client-side environments).
• Experience in Wine & Spirits or CPG a plus but not required.
• Demonstrable strategic and creative thinking skills, coupled with flawless execution.

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 Post 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: 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.