Responsible for commercial development, financial performance, and growth of Noblewood Brands across CIS, Israel, Former Yugoslav Markets and Duty Free, managing distributors, Travel Retail partners, sales, marketing, and regional strategy.

The Managing Director ensures the successful development and growth of the Company’s business and Noblewood Brands Portfolio across the assigned markets and Duty Free / Travel Retail channel.

The position is responsible for achieving regional sales, profitability, distribution, and market development objectives across on-trade, off-trade, and Duty Free channels through effective commercial management, business development, distributor and travel retail management, marketing execution, and team leadership.

The Managing Director represents the Company across the assigned markets and maintains strategic relationships with customers, distributors, Duty Free operators, Travel Retail partners, and other key stakeholders.

Essential Duties

(1) Develop and execute the regional business, sales, and commercial strategy to increase sales, market presence, distribution, and profitability of the Noblewood Brands Portfolio.

(2) Drive business growth across on-trade, off-trade, Duty Free, and Travel Retail channels, identifying new customers, distribution opportunities, markets, operators, and commercial partnerships.

(3) Lead business development across the Duty Free and Travel Retail channel, identifying new operators, distributors, locations, and commercial opportunities and developing relationships with key travel retail partners.

(4) Lead negotiations and manage strategic relationships with Duty Free operators, Travel Retail partners, distributors, key accounts, customers, suppliers, and business partners, ensuring commercially favorable and sustainable terms.

(5) Develop and implement channel-specific commercial and marketing strategies for Duty Free and Travel Retail, including distribution, pricing, assortment, promotions, activations, and brand visibility.

(6) Regularly visit key customers, distributors, Duty Free operators, Travel Retail partners, and other stakeholders to strengthen relationships, monitor business performance, and identify new opportunities.

(7) Lead the annual sales and business planning process, including targets, budgets, forecasts, KPIs, and performance measures, and monitor achievement of agreed objectives.

(8) Monitor sales, revenue, profitability, distribution, market performance, Duty Free performance, and competitive developments and implement corrective actions where necessary.

(9) Lead, manage, and develop the regional team, including setting objectives and KPIs, monitoring performance, delegating responsibilities, providing coaching and support, and ensuring achievement of business objectives.

(10) Ensure effective leadership and development of a team of at least 10 employees, fostering a high-performing, accountable, and collaborative working environment.

(11) Collaborate with the global marketing team and oversee the implementation of regional marketing, promotional, branding, Duty Free, Travel Retail, and trade activation activities in accordance with global brand guidelines and local market requirements.

(12) Identify and develop new markets, distribution channels, Duty Free locations, customers, products, and strategic business opportunities to expand the Noblewood Brands Portfolio.

(13) Monitor Duty Free and Travel Retail sales performance, distribution, stock availability, pricing, promotional effectiveness, assortment, and profitability, and implement corrective actions where necessary.

(14) Monitor local market trends, consumer behavior, competitor activities, pricing, distribution, Duty Free and Travel Retail developments, and other relevant factors and provide recommendations to senior management.

(15) Prepare and present regular management reports, including monthly sales reports, quarterly marketing reports, forecasts, business reviews, Duty Free / Travel Retail performance, and annual sales plans.

(16) Ensure effective allocation and management of financial, commercial, human, and other business resources in accordance with approved budgets and the Company’s strategy.

(17) Oversee customer, distributor, and Travel Retail partner payment performance and support effective management of commercial contracts and agreements in cooperation with the Legal and Finance functions where required.

(18) Ensure that business activities comply with applicable local laws and regulations, including requirements relating to the import, distribution, marketing, promotion, and sale of alcoholic beverages.

(19) Identify and manage key commercial, financial, operational, contractual, and regulatory risks affecting the regional business.

(20) Represent the Company at customer and distributor meetings, Duty Free and Travel Retail meetings, industry events, negotiations, and other relevant business activities.

(21) Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Company.

Minimum Requirements

Minimum Education Qualifications

(1) University degree in Business Administration, Economics, Marketing, Management, Finance, or a related field.

(2) Additional qualification in international business, sales, marketing, management, or a related discipline is an advantage.

(3) MBA degree is an advantage, particularly in Business Administration, Management, Marketing, Finance, Strategy, or a related field.

Experience Required

(1) Minimum 10 years of professional experience in the alcoholic beverages industry, preferably in the spirits or premium spirits sector.

(2) Minimum 10 years of experience in managerial or senior leadership positions within the alcoholic beverages industry, with responsibility for commercial, sales, business development, or general management activities.

(3) Proven experience as a Managing Director or in a senior Business Development / Commercial leadership role, with responsibility for sales and super-premium spirits across Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Israel, and Duty Free / Travel Retail markets.

(4) Strong experience in international sales, distribution, cross-border business, distributor management, and key account management across multiple markets.

(5) Proven experience in Duty Free / Travel Retail, including relationships with international operators, distributors, airports, travel retail partners, and other key channel stakeholders.

(6) Proven track record of achieving sales, revenue, profitability, distribution, and market development targets across multiple channels.

(7) Proven experience directly managing and leading a team of at least 10 employees, including responsibility for KPIs, performance management, delegation, coaching, and professional development.

(8) Strong experience negotiating and managing commercial relationships with international distributors, importers, retailers, hospitality groups, Duty Free operators, Travel Retail partners, key accounts, and strategic partners.

(9) Experience managing budgets, forecasts, commercial planning, resource allocation, pricing, margins, and financial performance.

(10) Strong knowledge of the alcoholic beverages market, including on-trade, off-trade, Duty Free and Travel Retail channels, distribution models, trade marketing, brand development, and relevant regulatory requirements.

Professional Skills and Competencies

(1) Strong strategic and commercial business thinking.

(2) Strong leadership and people management skills.

(3) Advanced negotiation and relationship management skills.

(4) Strong sales, business development, distributor, and Travel Retail management capabilities.

(5) Strong financial and analytical skills, including budgeting, forecasting, profitability analysis, and KPI management.

(6) Strong understanding of international alcoholic beverage markets and premium and super-premium spirits.

(7) Strong understanding of on-trade, off-trade, Duty Free, Travel Retail, distribution, trade marketing, and brand development.

(8) Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.

(9) Strong decision-making, problem-solving, and business judgment.

(10) High level of accountability, initiative, commercial awareness, and ability to operate effectively in an international and multicultural environment.

Language Requirements

(1) Fluent English, fluent Russian, and strong working proficiency in Montenegrin are required for this role.

Managing Director (cis, Israel, Duty Free & Balkans)

Job Description