General Manager KY/MO

Title: General Manager Kentucky & Missouri 

Status: Full-Time Exempt

Schedule:  Days, Monday – Friday, evenings, weekends and travel as required

Location: Remote / Home-Based (Ideal Candidate will reside in Kentucky)

Reports To: Division Vice President Central

Who We Are 

From bespoke bourbon production to boundary-pushing brands, Lofted Spirits is where tradition meets transformation. Expanding on the work started by Peter Loftin in 2016, and today the number one producer of Kentucky contract whiskey, Lofted Spirits pioneered a world-class, industry-shaking approach to custom contract distillation while developing some of the fastest growing brands in American Whiskey, Bardstown Bourbon and Green River. A unified entity, Lofted Spirits is built to lead the global whiskey industry, delivering exceptional experiences through innovation, trust and transformative industry impact while crafting some of the world’s most desired and awarded whiskies. Lofted Spirts joined the Pritzker Private Capital family of companies in 2022. Learn more at LoftedSpirits.com.

Bardstown Bourbon Company is pushing the boundaries of innovation while honoring the traditional art of making great whiskey. With the most modern, technically advanced whiskey distillery, Bardstown Bourbon combines the highest quality distillation and spirited hospitality into a modern, authentic bourbon experience unlike any other on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail™. Bardstown Bourbon Co. is working to push the entire industry in a direction that is more innovative, more transparent and more collaborative. Bardstown Bourbon was named 2023 Worldwide Whisky Producer of the Year by IWSC, Brand Innovator and Distiller of the Year at the 2025 Icons of Whisky, and the brand’s Amrut Indian Whisky collaboration, the first of its kind, was honored as the highest-rated American Whiskey by Whisky Advocate in 2024. Bardstown Bourbon Co. is part of Lofted Spirits, one of the largest American Whiskey distillers in the U.S. For more information visit BardstownBourbon.com.

Green River Distilling Co. is a celebration of classic Kentucky – honoring the past while staying firmly planted in the present. The 10th oldest licensed distillery in Kentucky (DSP-KY-10), Green River is known as "the Whiskey Without Regrets," and enjoys a rich history dating back to 1885. Reintroduced in 2022, Green River Distilling Co. proudly calls Owensboro, Kentucky home and serves as the westernmost outpost of the Kentucky Bourbon TrailTM. Authentic and approachable, Green River offers a growing portfolio of whiskeys crafted from historic mashbills. Blended to create a smooth and welcoming taste profile, Green River Distilling Co. is a true testament to simplicity and quality going hand-in-hand. Green River is part of Lofted Spirits, one of the largest American Whiskey distillers in the U.S. For more information visit greenriverwhiskey.com.

Job Summary

As the General Manager Home Region, your primary goal is to establish and expand sales in the assigned geography. You will also be responsible for creating long-lasting and mutually beneficial partnerships with our accounts and distributors while representing the integrity, values, and brand of the Bardstown Bourbon Company.

Your role includes direct sales responsibility for both Bardstown Bourbon Company and Green River Bourbon products in key on-premise and off-premise accounts. You will be expected to secure new business in existing and new accounts and work closely with the distributor network in the assigned area to maintain and develop all accounts.

As the brand's voice across the assigned geography, you will execute marketing “pull” tactics, merchandise key accounts, and host trade and consumer-focused events. 

The Home Region full geography includes Kentucky and Missouri. The ideal candidate will reside in the state of Kentucky which is the home market for Lofted Spirits.  

Key Responsibilities:

Specifically, the responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to, the following activities: 

• Achieve market-specific goals for volume and profitability as well as distribution and velocity of branded products in the assigned region.
• Manage and work closely with our distributor partners in Kentucky (RNDC & Heidelberg) and Missouri (Breakthru Beverage & Lohr) 
• Coach, guide, and manage the Kentucky Market Manager activities with distributor, accounts, and other sales driven programs. 
• Aggressively pursue new on-premise & off-premise distribution in your assigned region. 
• Develop and maintain strong, positive relationships with retailers and distributors. 
• Present annual brand plan as well as supporting programming to distributor partners, and reinforce through routine interactions, general sales meetings (GSMs), and appropriate touchpoints such as focus days, rallies, and trade shows.
• Call on existing key accounts to secure new distribution, make timely presentations, and introduce new and "limited release" bourbons. 
• Collaborate with the National Account Team to ensure authorizations and mandates are fulfilled locally as applicable. 
• Execute on-premise and off-premise promotions and periodic special events such as Bourbon Dinners, whiskey festivals, and account-level activations that generate brand awareness and consumer sampling. 
• Train accounts, distributors, and consumers on our products and promote the story of the Bardstown Bourbon Company and Green River Distilling Co. 
• Travel to and utilize the assets of the distillery to engrain brand and product knowledge in our commercial partners. 
• Manage and execute our Single Barrel programs locally to deliver positive market impact. 
• Participate in market blitzes, ride-withs, and general sales meetings to hold distributor partners accountable for the execution and achievement of the sales plan. 
• Complete necessary administrative reporting and communications on a timely basis, daily and weekly. 
• Maintain all sales goals and personal budgets outlined to you and your territory. 
• Manage provision and deployment of all merchandise/POS from the distilleries for events, accounts, and distributor personnel. 
• Late night and weekend account visits and event attendance as needed 
• Assist DVP with the selection and establishment of new distributor relationships as the territory grows 
• Maintain records of sales calls, account information, and key personnel in SalesForce, VIP, and Karma.
• Build selling stories for distributors and retailers using localized data to uncover new opportunities for brand development.  
• Other duties as periodically assigned. 

Desired Qualifications:

• Excellent leadership skills to successfully mange our brands with the three-tier system and multiple distributors in two states. 
• Prior experience in sales position; prior alcoholic beverage sales experience preferred. 
• The desirable candidate has prior experience in sales management within “Open and Franchise States”. 
• Strong ties and established relationships in the beverage community in the assigned region. 
• Strong oral communication skills: ability to talk to others to convey information effectively; strong written communication skills. 
• Customer Service - Going above and beyond what the customer expects  
• Trade knowledge - Understanding the three tier system, retail, and on-premise buyer mindset - experience buying or bartending is a plus. 
• Knowledge of, and passion for, Bourbon, Whiskey, Spirits  
• Excellent time management skills: ability to be proactive and take initiative. 
• Excellent organization and coordination skills – managing priorities and routine functions effectively and efficiently. 
• Empathy- Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do. 
• Teamwork – Ability to flex the scope of responsibility and do whatever needs to be done, regardless of job description 
• Transparency – Ability to communicate with teammates and freely exchange ideas and thoughts without ego or pretense 
• Proficiency with personal computers/laptops and associated programs (Windows, Microsoft Office suite). 
• Business Acumen -Ability to collect, assess, and interpret relevant information and make sound decisions. 

Job Requirements:

It is required for the position you must have a reliable car that is registered and insured, a valid driver's license, the ability to drive to and from accounts continuously, the ability to work nights and weekends and, at times, more than 40 hours a week, ability to lift up to 50 pounds and that you must currently reside in the assigned territory. 

Sales Specific Offerings

As part of our onboarding process, all New General Managers will have a full-immersion learning/training experience at our state-of-the-art distillery in Bardstown & Owensboro. In addition to a base salary, our General Managers participate in our unique Company Bonus Program which works to maintain our culture of results-focused personal management, and continuous learning & development. We provide comprehensive travel support and reimbursement for all job-related transportation expenses.

Our Company is committed to equal opportunity in all aspects of employment. It is the policy of our Company to provide full and equal employment opportunities to all employees and potential employees, without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, veteran status, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disability or any other legally protected status.  

NOTE: The Company reserves the right to modify or apply this Job Description in any manner necessary to conduct its business and meet its goals and objectives. This Job Description does not imply that these are the only functions of the job, or the only essential functions of the job. Other duties and responsibilities may be required in this position.