Key Account Manager - National On-Trade

About Cygnet Gin: A Note From Our Founder, Katherine Jenkins OBE When I founded Cygnet, my mission was a very personal one: to create a gin that I could enjoy. As a professional singer, my body is my instrument, and throughout my career I’ve consciously needed to balance, protect and nourish it. What I consume directly affects my ability to perform at my best, whether I’m on the world’s biggest stages or sharing moments with loved ones.

As a lifelong gin enthusiast, I faced a challenge: finding a spirit that wouldn’t compromise my voice. During my training I discovered that I’d have to abstain from G&Ts in the run up to performances, as the harsh finish of most spirits and mixers irritated my vocal cords. This frustration stayed with me as I travelled the world, but it also inspired me to create something better - something that met the high standards my body demands.

And so, Cygnet was born. More than a luxury gin, Cygnet is crafted with the same dedication and care that I bring to my music. With an unwavering commitment to quality and with no expense spared to ensure we crafted the smoothest, most luxurious gin.

Made near my childhood home in Wales, at the Copperworks Distillery, each bottle blends the finest botanicals with the purest Welsh water, drawing inspiration from the valleys that shaped my early years. The result is a spirit with an exceptionally silky-smooth finish, allowing it to be enjoyed neat, over ice, or as the perfect foundation for a Cygnet 2.2 Sip Martini. Cygnet 22, The World’s Most Luxurious Gin, features my own ‘secret ingredient’, Manuka honey a source of natural care throughout my career.

It’s an ingredient I’ve trusted for years to protect my voice, my health, and the wellbeing of my family, and now it lends its rich, smooth character to the essence of Cygnet 22. The honey’s sweetness is removed but it creates a silky-smooth finish that lingers. Cygnet isn’t just a brand; it’s a reflection of my values: true luxury lies in the details, in taking time to savour life’s special moments, and in caring for the world around us.

As a female-founded, female-led company, we’re driven by a sense of sisterhood and a commitment to sustainability. Our Cygnet 22 bottle is as thoughtfully approached as the liquid within, with its water-drop design inspired by the clarity of Welsh waters, its lighter weight reduces its carbon footprint and its removable branding allows the bottle to continue as a beautiful keepsake. Creating Cygnet has been a deeply personal and fulfilling journey, a blend of my passion for music, the environment, and a love for a spirit that celebrates life’s joys.

From my heart to your glass, here’s to savouring the luxury you deserve. The Role This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious sales professional to take ownership of Cygnet Gin's national on-trade channel, focusing on multi-site retail groups and key account partnerships. You will play a pivotal role in accelerating volume growth across the brand, building lasting commercial relationships and being the face of Cygnet Gin in the on-trade.

You will manage the end-to-end sales process, from contract negotiation through to in-field execution, holding full accountability for your own P&L, wholesaler relationships and business development pipeline. This is a role for someone who thrives in an autonomous environment and is hungry to make a real commercial impact. Key Responsibilities Account Management • Own and develop a portfolio of national multi-site on-trade accounts, including premium restaurant groups, premium bar chains, casual dining and hotels. • Negotiate and manage commercial contracts, ensuring terms are aligned to brand strategy and deliver profitable growth. • Build strong, trust-based relationships with key buyers and decision-makers across your account base. • Conduct regular business reviews, presenting performance data and forward-looking joint business plans.

Commercial & P&L Ownership • Take full responsibility for your individual P&L, managing investment, pricing and promotional activity to deliver volume and margin targets. • Monitor account profitability and proactively identify opportunities to improve commercial terms. • Manage trade spend and promotional budgets with discipline, ensuring strong return on investment. Wholesaler Relationships • Develop and maintain strong working relationships with key on-trade wholesalers and distributors operating within your account territory. • Collaborate with wholesaler sales teams to drive sell-out and maximise distribution across the Cygnet Gin portfolio. • Identify and resolve supply, pricing or listing issues in a timely and professional manner. Business Development • Proactively identify and pursue new account opportunities within the national on-trade multi-site segment. • Lead compelling brand presentations and product pitches, bringing Cygnet Gin’s story to life for prospective customers. • Stay close to market trends, competitor activity and channel dynamics to identify where growth is possible. • Work cross-functionally with the marketing team to support activation plans and bring brand campaigns to life in the trade.

Portfolio & SKU Focus • Drive volume, distribution and visibility across all three core SKUs: Cygnet Welsh Dry, Cygnet 22 and Cygnet Infinity 0.0%. • Champion the 0.0% Botanical Spirit range as a key growth driver within the low and no category. • Ensure accurate range recommendations and menu placements are appropriate to each account. What We’re Looking For Essential • Demonstrable experience in a field sales or account management role, ideally within drinks, FMCG or hospitality. • Experience working with on-trade customers - pub groups, hotels, restaurants, bars and leisure operators. • Strong commercial acumen with confidence managing a P&L and negotiating commercial agreements. • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; able to build rapport quickly and influence at multiple levels. • Self-motivated and highly organised, with the ability to manage your own diary, pipeline and priorities. • Start up energy, bring fire and drive to your role, constantly think outside the box and enjoy operating within a fast paced environment. Desirable • Experience with national multi-site on-trade groups or key account management. • Existing wholesaler relationships within the on-trade channel. • Knowledge of the gin or premium spirits category. • Familiarity with the low and no alcohol category, particularly non-alcoholic spirits. • WSET or equivalent spirits qualification.

What We Offer We’re proud to offer a package that reflects the importance of this role and our commitment to attracting brilliant people: Salary Competitive base salary, reviewed annually (please discuss with hiring manager) Bonus Performance-related annual bonus tied to volume and revenue targets Car Allowance Car allowance or company car provided for field travel Holiday 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays Expenses Cygnet to cover travel and generic business expenses Our Culture At Cygnet Gin, we believe the best results come from people who care deeply about the product, the customer and each other. We’re a small, ambitious team where every individual makes a real difference. We celebrate hard work, move quickly and aren’t afraid to try new things.

You’ll be joining a brand at an exciting stage of its journey, with a strong product, growing recognition and clear commercial ambition. If you’re passionate about luxury spirits, want genuine autonomy and are ready to grow with us, we’d love to hear from you. How to Apply To apply, please send your CV and a brief covering note outlining your relevant experience and why you’re excited about joining Cygnet Gin to: [email protected] We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.