Maker's Mark Diplomat - Southern CA

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Date: Oct 28, 2026

Location: Los Angeles, CA, US

Company: Suntory Global Spirits

At Suntory Global Spirits, we craft spirits of the highest quality and deliver brilliant experiences to people around the world. Suntory Global Spirits has evolved into the world's third largest leading premium spirits company ... where each employee is treated like family and trusted with legacy. With our greatest assets - our premium spirits and our people - we're driving growth through impactful marketing, innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit. Suntory Global Spirits is a place where you can come Unleash your Spirit by making an impact each and every day.

 

What makes this a great opportunity?

Are you passionate about bourbon?  Dynamic and personable (yet humble and approachable)?  Only satisfied with excellence in all things?  Maybe just a wee bit competitive?  Have we got a job for you! 

The story of Maker’s Mark began when our founder, Bill Samuels, Sr., resolved to create a full-flavored yet easy-to-drink bourbon that he’d enjoy sharing with friends.  And ever since then, we’ve been doing just that, even as our friends’ number in the millions and our audience has grown from the Commonwealth of Kentucky to the entire world. 

Maker’s Mark, America’s premium handmade bourbon, continues its uninterrupted 60-year growth trajectory.  And we are looking for someone special to serve as our Brand Diplomat in Southern California, based in San Diego. 

Advocacy Attributes 

  • Face of the Brand: Be the face of Maker’s Mark within your territory/ State(s); leading brand and program education for Consumer, BSI Sales, Regional Marketing & Distributor.  
  • Engaging Educator: Public speaking and presentation skills are used to recruit and engage brand fans, as well as reinforce brand affinity with internal teams 
  • Entrepreneurial Spirit: Independently identify opportunities across customers, trade, and consumers and build solutions rooted in brand DNA and tailored for market needs 
  • Earn Preference: Gain third-party recommendation through key account relationships and program development across influential Off-Premise and On-Premise partners 
  • Collaborative Partner: Drive trust and belief by collaborating with sales and distributor stakeholders to meet commercial objectives 

Role Responsibilities

  • Private Selection Barrel Program Management: Manage market allocation of Maker’s Mark Private Selection barrels and lead personalized recipe development initiatives with key customers.  
  • Create & lead unique experiences for remote barrel selections and bring the distillery to life in the market 
  • Leading development, end to end process management of VIP experiences (logistics of to and from distillery travel and hosting at the distillery) 
  • Act as sole approver for accounts within territory/state(s) allocation 
  • Manage barrel launch to support awareness and pull through  
  • Influence program evolution: unique account asset creation, market allocation and potential new accounts.  
  • Assist local commercial teams in securing barrel reorders with key accounts.  
  • Support Sales team with program conversations/sell-in 
  • Barrel case management (varies by market) input, approval, selection within Salesforce system and market deployment planning and execution of launch.  
  • Know Your Numbers: Manage and have accountability for diplomat budget to ensure effective spend against brand building priorities and influence supplementary market budgets to achieve against territory goals.  
    • Track Maker’s Mark business results within market remit utilizing syndicated and internal reporting tools.  
  • In Market Execution & Planning: Lead events, meetings, development of specific PBMC local market plans, account identification and support model by channel segment and target audience.  
    • Influencing development of global trade advocacy program and translation into market specific plans to ensure proper localized activation.  
    • Plan and execute Heritage Team market visits; (senior distillery leadership) across all market stakeholders to maximize brand building priorities.  
    • Support and execute National brand initiatives in market.  
  • Local Brand Program Support & Asset Development: Management of local CRM program Engagement (Ambassador program) creation of programming, artwork and copy development, activation oversight, budget management and working cross functionally with digital, agency, local commercial for execution. 
  • Innovation Support: Territory/ State(s) strategy development lead for all innovation releases 
    • Lead education, activation, tools and communications across all key stakeholders for MM46, WFS, Cellar Aged, Cask Strength and Star Hill Farm 
  • Local Influence:  
    • Elevate perception and craft credentials within local trade community   
    • Engage the BSI teams ensuring relevancy of Maker’s Mark within local community 
    • Local Media & PR Support 
    • Working with Distributors to support their loyalty with the brand 
    • Identify & report micro trends within local market – to influence innovation and drink strategy  
    • Support Distillery & BSI initiatives: sustainability, diversity and inclusion, charitable partnerships. 

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree preferred  
  • Professional individual with at least 5 years’ experience in related field with hospitality, sales, or education background, 3+ years of experience within the alcohol industry preferred 
  • A strong sense of the On-Premise and Off-Premise retail landscape and knowledge of the three-tier system. 
  • Genuine passion for Whisk(e)y, with extensive spirits knowledge and deep understanding of the alcohol industry within the region 
  • Excellent communicator, both verbal and written 
  • Proficient in budget management and performance analysis 
  • Passionate, competitive, and naturally curious 
  • Location: Role is field-based and primarily focused on San Diego, Orange County and Inland Empire, with additional travel approx. ~20% of time, primarily to Kentucky for barrel selections and meetings 

 

Salary Range - The salary range for this role, based in California is $90,000 to $100,000 along with an annual bonus, 401K match, profit sharing, and medical and wellness benefits. The salary range is commensurate with the candidate’s location, experience, and skillset. 

 

While relocation, immigration, and/or tax compliance support are not guaranteed, we may offer assistance to successful candidates depending on factors such as role requirements in accordance with company guidelines.

At Suntory Global Spirits, people are our number one priority, and we believe our people grow together in diverse and inclusive environments where their unique insights, experiences and backgrounds are valued and respected. Suntory Global Spirits is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, military veteran status and all other characteristics, attributes or choices protected by law. All recruitment and hiring decisions are based on an applicant’s skills and experience.


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