Market Sales Manager - UK & USA
(Wine Jobs:
Sales & Marketing)
Full Time
Hambledon,
England
Market Sales Manager – UK & USA
Reports to: Head of UK Sales (UK market – 80% of time), Managing Director (USA market – 20% of time)
About Us
Hambledon is a 220-acre Hampshire wine estate, the Birthplace of English wine*, located in the South Downs National Park. In 2023 it was purchased by British owned and multi-generational businesses, Symington Family Estates and Berry Bros. & Rudd.
Taking our founder’s and new owner’s pioneering spirit, our vision is to create the finest English sparkling wine that earns a deserved place in the hearts of consumers alongside the world’s most prestigious champagne houses.
Role Summary
Overview
We are seeking a commercially driven and relationship-focused person to support the continued growth of the brand across the UK and USA trade. The role will focus on strengthening existing listings through impactful brand activation and education, while identifying, securing and converting new business opportunities and tenders across key on- and off-trade channels.
This is a highly visible role requiring a balance of strategic thinking, commercial discipline and hands-on execution. The successful candidate will act as a key ambassador for Hambledon, championing the brand with customers, trade partners and industry stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
Existing Trade Development
- Manage and grow relationships with existing national and regional trade accounts.
- Support current listings with tailored activation plans to increase visibility, rate of sale and consumer engagement.
- Deliver staff education, tastings and training sessions to trade teams, buyers and key stakeholders.
- Collaborate with distributor and wholesale partners to maximise execution in market.
- Monitor account performance and identify opportunities for growth, upselling and deeper penetration.
New Business & Tender Conversion
- Identify and target new trade opportunities across hospitality, premium retail, travel, corporate and events sectors.
- Lead the preparation, submission and follow-through of tenders and commercial proposals.
- Build a robust pipeline of prospective customers and strategic partnerships.
- Negotiate commercial agreements in line with company objectives and margin expectations.
- Convert new listings into long-term profitable partnerships.
Brand Representation & Market Presence
- Represent Hambledon at trade events, tastings, dinners and industry activations.
- Act as a credible and passionate ambassador for English sparkling wine and the Hambledon story.
- Gather market intelligence and competitor insight to inform commercial strategy.
- Work closely with marketing and leadership teams to align sales activity with wider brand objectives.
Candidate Profile
Experience
- Proven track record in UK wine, spirits or premium beverage sales. Experience in the USA market is an advantage.
- Experience managing trade accounts and developing national or regional listings.
- Strong understanding of the UK on-trade and/or premium retail landscape.
- Demonstrable success in winning new business and converting commercial opportunities.
- Experience responding to or managing tenders is highly desirable.
Skills & Attributes
- Commercially astute with strong negotiation and relationship management skills.
- Excellent communication and presentation capabilities.
- Self-motivated, entrepreneurial and results-oriented.
- Organised with strong pipeline and account management discipline.
- Passionate about premium brands, hospitality and customer experience.
- WSET qualification or equivalent industry knowledge preferred.
Success Measures
- Growth and retention of existing trade accounts.
- Increased rate of sale and visibility within current listings.
- Successful acquisition and conversion of new tenders and trade accounts.
- Delivery of impactful trade education and activation programmes.
- Contribution to overall UK revenue and brand growth objectives.
Salary & Benefits
Up to £45k + performance related bonus and support for professional development, as well as the opportunity to be part of one of the UK’s most exciting new joint ventures between Symington Family Estates and Berry Bros & Rudd.
£45,000 plus bonus
