MGP Ingredients is a leading supplier of premium distilled spirits and food ingredient solutions. Its Distilling Solutions segment provides bourbons, whiskeys, ryes, gins, and vodkas to craft and multinational brands. MGP's own Branded Spirts business is growing following the 2021 acquisition of Luxco, a top spirits producer, bottler, supplier, and importer as well as the 2023 acquisition of Penelope Bourbon, known for its wide range of uniquely blended expressions. Ingredient Solutions delivers nutritional, functional wheat- and pea-based ingredients aligned with consumer trends. The company operates in locations across the Midwestern U.S., and overseas in Northern Ireland and Mexico.
*Job Description updated as of 7/21/26*
THE OPPORTUNITY:
Penelope Bourbon is one of the fastest-growing premium whiskey brands, and we're looking for a Brand Manager to help write its next chapter. Reporting to the Brand Director, the Brand Manager will provide strategic leadership for the Penelope bourbon portfolio with a strong focus on innovation/new product development.
This role will shape the trajectory of Penelope by driving P&L performance and commercial execution, while also leading the charge on what's next: new expressions, limited-time offerings, and packaging innovation that keep the brand culturally relevant and commercially strong. This role ensures all innovation initiatives are grounded in consumer insights, aligned with brand strategy, and executed against established timelines and financial targets.
WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING:
Brand Strategy & P&L Ownership
• Own full P&L of the Penelope portfolio: manage net revenue, gross margin, A&P investment, and profitability targets in partnership with the Brand Director
• Translate consumer insights, category trends, and competitive dynamics into a clear brand strategy and annual marketing plan
• Manage A&P budget allocation across programming, media, sampling, and other touchpoints to maximize ROI
• Build the business case for brand investments, balancing core equity-building activity with new growth opportunities
Innovation & New Product Development
• Own the annual NPD and LTO development calendar, managing concepts from ideation through commercialization across LTOs, aged/finished expressions, and emerging formats (e.g. RTP cocktails).
• Lead concept development (liquid brief, naming, and positioning) in close collaboration with the Brand Director, cross-functional stakeholders, and agency partners
• Translate consumer research, sensory panels, and trade feedback into sharp product and packaging decisions
• Build financial models for proposed innovation (volume, COGS, pricing architecture, margin)
• Maintain launch readiness trackers and stage-gate checkpoints to keep every innovation project on time and on budget
Reporting & Business Analytics
• Track actual vs. planned performance for launched innovations; prepare post-launch KPI trackers and identify learnings to inform future pipeline decisions
• Synthesize data from multiple sources (Nielsen/IRI, shipments/depletions, and syndicated research) into clear reporting and actionable recommendations
• Prepare and present monthly brand performance updates to the Brand Director and senior leadership
Cross-Functional Leadership & Commercial Execution
• Serve as the connective tissue across Supply Chain, Distillery, Legal/Regulatory, Finance, Sales, Operations, and external agencies to bring both core brand initiatives and NPD launches to life
• Partner with Sales and Trade Marketing to build compelling sell-in stories, trade programming, and retailer assets (POS, sell sheets, digital imagery) that drive distribution and velocity
• Manage packaging development end-to-end: structural and graphic design, internal approvals, and regulatory/label compliance
• Coordinate with production and supply chain on liquid availability, barrel inventory, and bottling timelines to ensure launches land on schedule
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR:
• B.A./B.S. in Marketing, Business, or a related field
• 4+ years in CPG brand management, marketing, or new product development; beverage alcohol or three-tier distribution experience strongly preferred
• Strategic and analytical thinking - ability to synthesize data across multiple sources and translate into business cases with actionable recommendations.
• Commercial acumen with prior experience owning a P&L including managing A&P budget
• Strong project management skills with ability to take initiatives from concept to execution.
• Understanding of the innovation/stage-gate process within CPG or spirits.
• Excellent cross-functional collaborator with sharp written and verbal communication skills
• Agency management experience (writing a brief, managing an agency to develop and deliver assets))
• Self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment. Ability to work within ambiguity and problem solve.
• Passion for spirits and enthusiasm for the Penelope brand story and portfolio
• Working knowledge of packaging development, print production, and regulatory/TTB label requirements a plus
Physical Requirements:
Type of Equipment Operated: Includes frequently used office equipment, computer software programs, manuals, books, or other written resources, Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook, SAP, copier/printer. Office Equipment: Computer, Copier, Fax machine, project management software. If you require a reasonable accommodation in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to Caitlin Zbikowski, Talent Manager @ c.zbikowski@mgpi.com.
If the above speaks to you, we’re excited to learn more about you! At MGP, we know that our people are our greatest strength. With different perspectives and unique ways of thinking, our employees are as varied as our products. We believe that inclusivity strengthens the organization and champions a company culture that is evolving to reflect all of us. Culture results from our behaviors, our personal commitment, our curiosity, how we collaborate, and the ways we courageously share our perspectives and expect others to do the same. Each of us can make a difference by fostering thinking and actions that empower us to connect, belong and grow together.
Compensation is competitive and is commensurate with experience. MGP offers exceptional medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, 401(k) Match and PTO.
All successful candidates for this position will be required to submit to a criminal background check and drug test.