District Manager, Upstate NY (Buffalo-Syracuse/Albany -Hudson)

District Manager

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Independence Wine & Spirits (IWS) is a vertically integrated distributor of fine wines and spirits with offices in Syosset, Long Island and a new sales office in the heart of New York City. We offer for sale, direct to on and off premise accounts, a carefully selected portfolio of wines and spirits from around the world.

The company represents over 50 top estates and wineries along with a selection of craft spirit distillers. We have direct relationships with these producers and manage the business through the import and distribution tiers of our industry.

Position Overview:

The District Manager is a high energy and competitively driven sales role responsible for overseeing business planning, development, and execution, while ensuring the delivery of profitable growth through effective distributor management and market plan execution.  This role is the key point of contact for distributor leadership in ­­­­New York to effectively develop and execute the annual sales plan.   The District Manager reports directly to the IWS Director of Sales.

Location: Buffalo to Syracuse; Albany to Hudson

Responsibilities/Essential Functions:

• Work closely with upper management to sustain and grow foundational business while building profitability
• Supervise Sales Reps to insure maximum sales/profits from their assigned accounts. Coaches, directs, counsels Sales Rep on overall performance. Defines expectations and monitors progress
• Train and develop sales reps to ensure they have strong working knowledge of our product credentials (key selling points), quality accolades and pricing. Works with Sales representatives making customer calls and implementing territory improvement plans. Participates in wine dinners and tasting when necessary
• Show fiscal responsibility, staying within predetermined budget limits while adhering to company and state policies
• Monitor competitive activities in the market and communicate information on competitive strategy and tactics to upper management
• Assist in developing and implementing annual operating plan which includes financial, volume and distribution objectives
• Manage depletion and distribution objectives for On and Off premise
• Create and execute plans for new product launches to insure distribution and depletion expectations
• Interface directly with Key accounts both on and off premise
• Oversee, monitor and evaluate incentive program execution and identifying new account opportunities while controlling use of POS
• Utilize sales data of accounts sold to achieve improved brand positioning

Qualifications/Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred
• A beverage industry professional with a minimum 7 years of experience with supplier/distributor wine and spirits background
• Experience selling to all channels of trade. Must have existing trade /account relationships.
• Proven ability in territory sales management including creative and fact based selling
• Objective oriented, focused, self-motivated and aggressive with an entrepreneurial spirit
• Hands on individual able to work in pressure filled fast paced industry with strong fine wine and spirits knowledge and a consultative selling approach
• Strong interpersonal skills with excellent leadership skills to manage and direct a sales team
• Highly organized with excellent presentation and communication skills
• High level of proficiency with Microsoft office

Benefits Overview:

Independence Wine & Spirits offers a competitive compensation package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(K), paid vacation, personal and sick time off and 11 paid company holidays.

Independence Wine & Spirits is an equal opportunity employer.