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THE OPPORTUNITY

• Are you energized by innovation, inspired by developing people, and driven to transform ideas into premium products?
• Ready to lead the journey from idea to launch, working alongside Operations and Marketing to create innovative products that delight customers and strengthen business performance?
• Are you looking for an opportunity where your expertise can leave a lasting mark on iconic brands, a growing organization, and a talented team that is committed to delivering excellence from concept to consumer?

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Proximo Spirits, Inc., is a $1B+ American multinational alcoholic beverage company, with its headquarters in Jersey City, New Jersey. It is a major distributor of tequila and other spirits, best known for Jose Cuervo, the world's largest-selling tequila brand. With over three hundred employees, the Lawrenceburg, Indiana facility (Proximo Distillers Indiana - PDI) bottles about nine million cases a year for North America.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

Reporting to the VP ISC Operations, this leadership role is responsible for a technical team of 4 based across NJ (corporate office) and IN (manufacturing site). Works closely with Operations and Marketing teams in developing premium, innovative, first-to-market products, while driving existing margin enhancements.Acts as the gate keeper for the NPD Stage Gate process, ensuring adherence to standards and cross-functional collaboration. Evaluates and resolves technical feasibilities, design optimizations, and manufacturing capabilities. Most importantly, builds & develops talent within the organization to provide bench strength and career growth opportunities.

Product Innovation & Commercialization Leadership

• Leads, coaches, and develops a team that provides meaningful and technical insights and product development direction for the broader organization.
• Builds talent to develop pipeline of R&D leaders at Proximo
• Manages the NPD process to ensure quality, efficiency, and profitability for the Proximo-produced brand portfolio.
• Continually improves the Stage Gate process through close collaboration with Marketing and key stakeholders.
• Collaborates across functions to optimize design, materials, manufacturing feasibility, and vendor strategies.
• Identifies emerging industry trends and innovation opportunities through benchmarking, trade shows, and supplier engagement.
• Strong in program management, prioritizes, plans, and communicates work activity across a broad suite of projects. Sets goals & objectives, organizes timelines and realistic action plans.

Portfolio & Business Performance

• Achieves product launch timelines and gross margin targets in line with established standards.
• Drives profitability through informed technical and operational decision-making.

Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence

• Champions a Continuous Improvement mindset focused on enhancing quality, cost, and assembly performance across existing products.
• Partners with Operations and Supply Chain teams to improve manufacturing efficiency and product performance.
• Partners with Marketing and cross functional stakeholders to continue to improve and enhance stage gate process and adherence

IDEAL CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Technical bachelor’s degree required (Packaging Science degree a plus)
• 7+ years’ experience in Spirits or related industry
• Managerial experience leading and developing a team of seasoned technical professionals, fostering accountability, collaboration, and high performance
• Proficiency Project Management software and techniques
• Working knowledge of SAP
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex information

KEY PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Demonstrates Understanding of business implications of decisions and ability to align work with strategic goals.
• Analytical-Synthesizes complex information into actionable insights, using intuition and experience to complement data.
• Quality Management--Continuously seeks ways to improve quality; demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
• Adaptability--Adapts to changes in priorities, manages and prioritizes competing demands.
• Curious & Innovation-Focused – Naturally inquisitive with a passion for exploring emerging trends, new technologies, and consumer insights to identify opportunities for product innovation, process improvement, and competitive advantage.
• Flexible & Adaptable – Thrives in dynamic, fast-paced environments, effectively balancing shifting priorities, evolving business needs, and complex cross-functional projects while maintaining focus on results.
• Forward-Thinking Strategic Leader – Anticipates future market, operational, and organizational needs, proactively developing solutions that support long-term growth, profitability, and continuous improvement objectives.
• Change Agent – Embraces and leads change with a positive mindset, driving transformation initiatives, process enhancements, and organizational alignment.
• Roll-Up-Your-Sleeves Leadership Style – Hands-on leader who actively partners with teams to solve problems, remove obstacles, and execute critical initiatives.

THE PAYOFF

This is a unique opportunity for a proven technical leader to make a visible impact across innovation, operations, and talent development. Reporting directly to the VP of ISC Operations, you will lead a high-performing team across New Jersey and Indiana while serving as a key driver of premium, first-to-market product innovation.

Beyond the technical challenge, this position offers the chance to build organizational capability by developing talent, strengthening succession pipelines, and creating meaningful career growth opportunities for your team. For leaders who are energized by innovation, collaboration, and coaching others to achieve their potential, this role provides both significant business impact and long-term career visibility.

OUR COMMITMENT TO CANDIDATES

Gilman Partners is committed to strengthening leadership teams and elevating talent in our communities—and that means all qualified applicants will receive consideration. You do not have to meet every qualification in this job description to apply. If you are drawn to the position and believe your experience makes you a good fit, we encourage you to apply.