Assistant Brand Manager

About West Cork Distillers

Established in 2003 by John O'Connell, Denis McCarthy, and Ger McCarthy, West Cork Distillers has expanded to over 200 employees with operations including a distillery in Skibbereen, County Cork, and a second production plant, Donohoe Drinks, located in Waterford. Driven by an entrepreneurial mindset and a keen passion for the craft and science of alcohol, spirits, and whiskey making, the company is renowned for producing some of the finest craft Irish whiskey available globally.

Position Overview

We are on the lookout for an enthusiastic and imaginative Assistant Brand Manager to join our expanding marketing division. This role is ideal for recent graduates holding a degree in marketing or similar fields who wish to pursue a career in brand management within the premium spirits sector. The role offers practical experience managing brand campaigns, new product launches, packaging, point-of-sale materials, trade activations, and analyzing market insights to boost brand presence in both domestic and international markets.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the planning and implementation of brand marketing initiatives, including packaging, POS, digital channels, social media, and in-store and trade activations.
• Assist with introducing new products, taking part in packaging decisions and market positioning.
• Collaborate with internal teams such as sales, production, and design to maintain brand uniformity.
• Perform market research and evaluate competitor activity to identify emerging trends and opportunities.
• Contribute to managing social media calendars and assess performance metrics to refine campaigns.
• Help create marketing collateral, including presentations, POS materials, and promotional content.
• Monitor and report campaign outcomes, delivering insights and actionable recommendations.
• Assist in organizing and executing brand-related events such as tastings and promotional activations, handling logistics and supplier coordination.
• Perform other duties as assigned by management.

Candidate Profile

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related area.
• Passion for branding, storytelling, and the alcoholic beverage industry.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Creatively inclined with a keen eye for details.
• Effective organizational and time management skills.
• Fundamental knowledge of digital marketing and social media platforms.
• Analytical capabilities for interpreting data and market insights.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite (PowerPoint, Excel, Word).
• Previous internship or project experience relevant to marketing or branding.
• Awareness of the Irish whiskey market or premium fast-moving consumer goods sector.
• Familiarity with design software such as Canva or Adobe Creative Suite.
• Interest or prior involvement in event planning or coordination.

Employee Benefits

• Competitive salary package.
• Company pension scheme.
• Health insurance coverage.
• Additional annual leave entitlement based on length of service.
• Support for ongoing education and professional development.
• Staff discounts on products.
• Complimentary lunch every Thursday.
• Fresh fruit delivered twice weekly.
• Referral bonus of €1000 for recommending new employees.
• Available on-site parking facilities.
• On-site kitchen area equipped with vending machines and quality coffee.
• Participation in the Bike to Work program.
• Access to employee assistance programmes.
• Organized social and wellness events for employees.