Market Development Manager - Distributor Sales - Illinois

Build your career at Sazerac! With almost 400 years of rich history, Sazerac Company has thrived as an independent, American family-owned company with operations in the United States and around the world. Since the 2000s, Sazerac has averaged double digit growth every year! Sazerac Company produces and markets the most award-winning bourbons and whiskeys in the world, including Buffalo Trace, Pappy Van Winkle, Eagle Rare, Blanton’s, Traveller, and Sazerac Rye. Additionally, Sazerac owns many popular brands across a range of spirits, including Fireball, Svedka, Wheatley, BuzzBallz, Southern Comfort, Seagram’s V.O., Myers’s, Goldschläger, Parrot Bay, 99 Brand, and Platinum Vodka.

We’re proud of our award-winning culture and distilleries. Our Louisville office has been named one of the “Best Places to Work in Kentucky” four times, and our Buffalo Trace Distillery has earned the title of “world’s most award-winning distillery” through the dedication of our craftsmen for well over 200 years. Whether you’re a recent graduate or an experienced professional, Sazerac provides extraordinary opportunities for growth with competitive salaries and benefits in an exciting, entrepreneurial industry.

As a Market Development Manager - Distributor Sales, you will own how brands grow in a market, not just support it. You will partner directly with the State Manager and distributor network to drive share, accelerate priority brands, and ensure the right strategies show up where they matter most. From pricing to programming to execution, you will connect strategy to results and hold partners accountable for delivering them. Based in Illinois, you will have high visibility, ownership, and direct impact on market performance.

What You’ll Do

• Partner with distributors and the State Manager to drive volume, share growth, and execution of priority brands• Develop and lead high-impact programming (pricing, promotions, KPIs) that accelerates sales velocity and delivers ROI• Hold distributor partners accountable through KPI tracking, performance management, and ongoing business reviews• Identify market opportunities through data, competitive activity, and field insights, then turn them into action• Build strong relationships across distributors, retailers, and internal teams to ensure consistent, high-quality execution

Required:• Bachelor’s degree in Business or a related field• 3+ years of experience in alcohol beverage or CPG sales, market development, or distributor management• Proven ability to drive results through distributor or partner networks and manage performance against KPIs• Ability to operate independently, manage priorities, and work flexible hours, including nights/weekends and travel

Preferred:• Experience across on- and off-premise accounts or within distributor/broker networks• Background in market development, sales analysis, or building customer relationships in a field-based role• Experience using sales or forecasting tools (e.g., COGNOS) and translating data into actionable plans

Physical Requirements: 

• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds 

Sazerac offers a comprehensive compensation and benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, 401K, paid time off, and more. These benefits may vary depending on location and work type. Learn more about how we support our employees here. 

The annual salary range for this role is $86,520 - $129,780. Final compensation will be based on relevant experience, qualifications, geographic location, and internal pay equity considerations.

For roles within our commercial team - the Salary range refers to base salary only and does not include car allowance, annual bonus, fuel or cell phone reimbursement. Please ask your Talent Acquisition Partner for more information about our total rewards package. 

Sazerac is committed to equality of opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, veteran status, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disability or any other legally protected status. 

What’s Next: 

After you apply, a recruiter will review your application and reach out to qualified candidates. Selected candidates will follow our interview process, which may include a phone screen, hiring manager interview, and panel interviews with business leaders. There may be additional steps or assessments throughout the process dependent on the position. Applicants who are not selected to move through the process, at any stage, will be notified via email. 

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