The Great Drinks Disruption.
As the market continues to adjust following covid, supply chain shortages, and rising costs, the light at the end of the tunnel is beginning to grow brighter by the day, and the dust is beginning to settle.
Demand is continuing to gather pace among RTD and no-and-low producers, with a range of new product releases continuing to flow into the market. As a result, we’re supporting a number of UK manufacturers as they look to build on their established Operations, Commercial, Marketing, Procurement, and Finance teams.
With NPD and innovation witnessing a meteoric rise in investment, many of our clients have experience portfolio growth. As a result, Marketing in particular has seen a gradual rise in preference toward agency professionals, with the flexibility and fast paced nature lending itself well to many of the ‘multi-brand’ groups that we’ve supported during Q1 and Q2.
With many clients entering new markets, high-performing sales professionals are also in high-demand, including NAM’s, KAM’s, Departmental Heads, and Region/Area/Country Managers. A number of executive headhunts are also due to commence in Q3, particularly in the UK and Scotland, with a number of Commercial positions in our pipeline.
In a boost for the Wine market, the UK government announced a free trade deal between Australia and New Zealand. Coming into effect at the end of Q1, forecast’s have predicted a 53-59% increased in bi-lateral trade, also making it easier for UK professionals to live and work in Australia. However, similar trade deals with the US and the EU, sought by the UK government, have been denied and are looking increasingly unlikely in the short-mid term.
During Q2, our dedicated practice launched a range of successful partnerships with brands across Australia, Germany, and the UK, supporting new clients within craft beer, rum, and luxury spirits. A number of Q3 talent maps are actively being produced on behalf of clients, particularly with Global Travel Retail Executives, International/Senior Key Account Managers, as well as Logistics/Supply Chain, and as always, Skilled Engineers, with a range of exciting new vacancies due to be released in the coming weeks.
To meet the increased demand among NPD, innovation, and operational roles, our global Drinks practice welcomed award-winning mixologist Kieron Hall to the team, who supports our Operations function across national and international Drinks clients.
If you’d like to discuss our support on a current or future role, or are looking for your next career move, get in touch with our dedicated Drinks Practice today via hello@macgregorblack.com or by calling +44 (0)191 691 1949