Brand Development Manager

Brand Development Manager – Walkerswood (NY & NJ)

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

Looking for a hands-on individual to drive sustainable and profitable growth of the Walkerswood portfolio across the New York and New Jersey markets. You will be responsible for broadening distribution in both traditional Caribbean channels and mainstream retail, while elevating the brand’s image as the premier Caribbean seasoning and sauce authority for a diverse consumer base.

Compensation Structure: Starting at $80,000. Salary commensurate upon experience. Eligibility of earning a quarterly bonus based on performance targets. Expense reimbursement.

Core Responsibilities

Pound the Pavement: Drive daily territory coverage to find, open, and cultivate new business opportunities across independent grocers and ethnic markets.

Own the Shelf: Partner directly with store management and distributors to optimize product placement, secure eye-level shelf space, and build high-traffic secondary displays.

Distributor Alignment: Work side-by-side with local Caribbean-interest distributor networks, providing hands-on, on-the-ground guidance to their sales teams.

Field Audits: Conduct frequent retail store visits to check stock levels, ensure product freshness, and maintain strict visual merchandising standards.

High-Energy Activations: Coordinate and execute consumer sampling programs, local food festivals, and seasonal events (like Jerk Festivals and BBQ season) to drive immediate store traffic.

Brand Advocacy: Serve as the primary, authentic ambassador for the Walkerswood heritage, educating retail partners and store staff on product usage.

Requirements & Skills

Field Experience: 5+ years of hands-on experience in retail store management, field sales, or route distribution within the food and beverage sector.

Territory Hustle: Deep familiarity with the local NY/NJ retail landscape and a proven track record of building long-term relationships with neighborhood store owners.

Merchandising Expertise: Strong background in physical store operations, cash/inventory management, and setting up creative point-of-sale displays.

Relationship First: A natural, persuasive communicator who excels at consultative selling, handling customer issues, and closing deals face-to-face.

Bilingual Advantage: Full professional fluency in Spanish is highly preferred to effectively navigate and build trust within diverse ethnic markets.