Overview:
We are seeking a dynamic, highly motivated, and goal-oriented Virginia State Manager to be based in the Northern Virginia area. This role will be responsible for managing distributor relationships, including inventory, pricing, and programming, while driving sales to key accounts. The State Manager will also partner closely with suppliers and distributor managers, execute special events, and provide market insights to the Group Manager for the Southeastern United States.
Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the position include the following (other duties may be assigned as needed):
- 60% focus on distributor & market management / 40% focus on account management
- Manage inventory, pricing and programming for entire market
- Manage sales, local marketing fund and T&E budgets and distributor accounts receivable invoice processing
- Develop and maintain a key account list, including personal relationships with key buyers/owners and managers
- Work with a team spirit that includes a distributor network, Kobrand suppliers, Portfolio Specialists, Channel Teams and the corporate office
- Work with multiple local distributors to ensure that Kobrand is getting adequate street and sales meeting time with distributor management and reps
- Propose and conduct on/off premise promotional events
- Conduct wine tastings and wine dinners for consumers/trade
- Review monthly sales team performance, and key account performance
- Identify market trends and opportunities and propose action plans for all markets
- Manage regional quota and sales team quota of depletions, placements, and qualitative efforts
- Conduct regular Performance Review Meetings with Distributor Management, including future action plans for goal attainment in all areas
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree required
- Minimum five years of experience selling fine wines in both on and off-premise accounts
- Distributor management experience including inventory, pricing, and programming
- Account management experience developing new business, managing existing accounts and recovering lost accounts
- Must have exceptional closing skills, strong verbal/written communication, and organizational skills
- Passion and knowledge of wine, wine regions and the wine industry (CSW, WSET, or similar, a plus)
- Strong computer skills are a MUST with a specific emphasis on Excel
- Must possess a valid driver’s license
- Must be 21 years of age
Physical Requirements
- Must be able to comfortably lift and carry up to 50 pounds
- Must be able to walk, stand, climb, balance, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel or crouch on a daily basis
- Must be able to travel within the territory up to 50% of the time
Kobrand Corporation offers a competitive salary, performance-based bonus, and a comprehensive benefits package. The base compensation range for this job classification is between $100,000 and $115,000. The determination of what a specific employee in this job classification is dependent on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, prior employment history, job-related skills and qualifications, and length of service.