ASSISTANT PORTFOLIO MANAGER – SPIRITS SUPPLIER MANAGEMENT & MARKETING STRATEGY

Skurnik Wines & Spirits is seeking an Assistant Portfolio Manager to support our growing Spirits portfolio(s). This supplier- and customer-facing role suits someone eager to expand category expertise and take on greater responsibility within Team Spirits. The APM will work directly with Spirits team leadership, supporting day-to-day supplier relationships, spearheading the private barrel program, and helping maintain an operational rhythm across Skurnik markets. The right candidate can be in the room with suppliers and customers, speak credibly about our products, and represent the Spirits portfolio and greater Skurnik ethos.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supplier Communication & Relationship Support • Participate in supplier meetings alongside the Portfolio Manager, contributing ideas, tracking commitments, and building rapport with supplier partners. • Serve as the day-to-day point of contact for Spirits suppliers. • Maintain a running log of open supplier requests and follow-ups. • Recognize and escalate critical and strategic matters to the Portfolio Manager. • Coordinate logistics for supplier visits, calls, and market work. • Category Development & Customer Engagement • Build expertise across the Spirits portfolio(s) through supplier engagement, tastings, internal education, and independent study. • Engage customers directly and substantively, representing the portfolio credibly and answering product questions authoritatively. • Partner with Sales Ambassadors to reinforce consistent category messaging. • Private Barrel Program Coordination • Manage, track, and expedite end-to-end sample requests, communications, and deliveries to exceed expectations. • Inbox & Correspondence Management • Manage Spirits inboxes daily, responding to inquiries, acknowledging inventory and incoming items, and routing supplier/account requests. • Flag recurring or emerging issues to Portfolio Managers. • Allocations & Offer Coordination • Track allocation and inventory requests; liaise with Spirits management. • Help build and enter allocations and communicate readiness and launch to relevant team members. • Work with Portfolio Managers to build customer-facing offers for Sales Ambassadors, Sales Reps, and Spirits Specialists. • Market Work & Activation Support • Help coordinate market work, activation planning, and execution.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 1–3 years in spirits, wine, or beverage distribution; supplier- or account-facing experience strongly preferred. • Demonstrated spirits category knowledge, enthusiasm for continued learning, and a growth mindset to earn supplier and account trust while expanding responsibilities. • Strong verbal communication and presence – ability to engage suppliers and customers in substantive, credible conversation. • Strong organizational skills. • Supplier, customer, and colleague relationship management. • Proficiency with order management and inventory systems.

COMPENSATION:

Skurnik Wines & Spirits offers a competitive compensation package: an expected first-year salary of $60,000–$65,000, plus a discretionary bonus and competitive benefits. This is an average range for this position; final offers will reflect each candidate’s education, skills, and experience.

Interested candidates, please submit your application to Erica Skurnik at es@skurnik.com.

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