Assistant Manager, Portfolio Strategy & Innovation

Join Corby Spirit and Wine Limited and Hiram Walker & Sons Ltd.,: Where Moments Matter

At Corby and Hiram Walker, we’re more than a company - we’re curators of unforgettable moments. Our portfolio boasts some of Canada’s most iconic and award-winning brands, including J.P. Wiser’s, Lot No. 40, Pike Creek, and Gooderham & Worts Canadian whiskies, Polar Ice vodka, Lamb’s rum, Ungava gin, McGuinness and Cabot Trail liqueurs, Ace Beverage Group’s Cottage Springs, Cabana Coast, Liberty Village, and Good Vines, and Foreign Affair wines. But that’s just the beginning.

Through its affiliation with Pernod Ricard SA, Corby represents leading international brands such as Absolut vodka, Jameson and Redbreast Irish whiskies, The Glenlivet, Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s and Aberlour Scotch whiskies, , Altos tequila, Malibu and Havana Club rums, Kahlua liqueur, Skrewball Peanut Butter whiskey, Jefferson’s and Rabbit Hole bourbon whiskies, Del Maguey Single Village mezcal, Beefeater and Malfy gins, and Perrier-Jouët and Mumm champagnes, – making our portfolio the most comprehensive in the market.

Why Choose Us?

Igniting Conviviality: Derived from the French word “convivialité,” our ethos centres on human connection, authenticity, and friendliness. We create moments that matter, starting with how we work together.

Progressive Opportunities: Fuel your ambition with outstanding career prospects and rewards. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting your journey, we’re invested in your growth.

Guided by our 4 core values: (1) grounded in the real; (2) fiercely authentic; (3) passion for challenge; and (4) connected beyond borders; we are team players, dream makers, trailblazers, movers and (cocktail) shakers. We have a passion for living life to the fullest, making new friends every day, and realizing our potential as people and as a business! 

Learn about our rich heritage by clicking HERE for Corby and HERE for Hiram Walker.

Join us at Corby and Hiram Walker, where every day is an opportunity to make a difference.

Position Summary and Purpose:

Note: This opportunity is an 18-month contract position, with an estimated end date of April 2027. Please note that contract roles do not include additional monetary benefits or health care coverage

We currently work under a hybrid model, with three days a week in the office (225 King St. West, Toronto). This approach gives you the best of both worlds — the flexibility to work remotely while still benefiting from in-person collaboration, connection, and teamwork that happens when we’re together.

Our shift towards Demand is consistently applied across our operating model and is at the core of our annual Brand growth strategy.

The Assistant Manager, Portfolio Strategy & Innovation will support Corby’s overall business strategy by ensuring our extensive portfolio of premium brands is leveraged to accelerate growth.

Specifically, you will:

• Champion innovation ideation and whitespace identification for Corby owned brands by facilitating cross-functional ideation sessions, monitoring developments in Spirits and Wine innovation and analyzing new brand opportunities for Corby
• Act as coordinator for Corby’s innovation process, overseeing a strong innovation pipeline designed to drive growth for the company
• Build quantitative summaries of the innovation pipeline to assist in discussions around prioritization and adherence to overall company innovation strategy
• Use various data sources including sales data, innovation tracking and consumer insights data to provide recommendations for in-market innovations
• Support cross category and whitespace portfolio initiatives by conducting category management analysis and making recommendations for new and/or evolving categories
• Assist in Corby’s mission of consumer centricity by proactively collecting and sharing consumer, category, product and innovation trends
• Assist brand marketing teams with completing liquor board product applications

Primary Responsibilities

• Liaise with brand marketing and global / regional innovation hub teams to organize monthly innovation stage gate meetings, ensuring proper processes are being followed, milestones are being met, and all stakeholders are engaged
• Working with commercial team to ensure alignment of innovation prioritization and implementation into the sales strategy, as well as coordinating with relevant commercial stakeholders during the innovation development process (e.g., gathering customer feedback, aligning on volume ambitions, etc.)
• Support commercial and marketing teams by providing category management view and merchandising optimizations as required (e.g., thought leadership on emerging categories / opportunities)
• Own innovation tracking and reporting of innovation performance internally, including consumer insights data from our innovation tracking project, but also sales data vs. ambition. Lead development of one year in-market performance analysis across various data points including commercial (distribution, sales, etc.) and marketing (campaign spend, touchpoints activated, etc.)

Key Competencies and Experience

• Analytical thinker that can distill actionable outputs from various data sources
• Strong project management and organization skills, and ability to hold colleagues responsible for following a process
• Strong capacity to energize groups and bring stakeholders together to collaborate
• Strong organizational and planning skills, forward thinker
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in a marketing, consumer insights, brand management or analyst role
• Minimum of bachelor’s degree, preferably in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing
• Proficient in MS Office (specifically excel for analysis and PowerPoint for presentations)

At Corby and Hiram Walker, we’re committed to fostering a workplace that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals and Indigenous peoples, visible minorities, individuals with a disability, and 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals are encouraged to apply.

Our Commitment: Accessible Employment Practices

Pernod Ricard, alongside it’s Canadian affiliates Corby and Hiram Walker, is dedicated to providing accessible employment opportunities. If you require accommodation due to a disability or a medical need during any phase of the recruitment process or want to review our accommodation policies, please reach out to our Human Resources Department at [email protected].

Ontario Applicants: Our practices align with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Join us in creating a vibrant, inclusive workplace where everyone’s voice matters. Apply today!

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