Highlands/Cashiers/Western North Carolina- Sales Representative

Grapevine Distributors of North Carolina; Highlands (NC); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Grapevine Distributors of the Carolinas is seeking an entrepreneurial Market Development Representative to build a premium wine and spirits business across Highlands, Cashiers and the broader Western North Carolina region, supplemented by Upstate South Carolina on-premise accounts.

The role focuses on developing new business, strengthening relationships with premier restaurants, clubs and independent retailers, and expanding Grapevine's presence as a leading supplier to hospitality properties in

Qualifications

• Previous wine, spirits, hospitality or beverage sales experience.
• Strong knowledge and passion for wine.
• Proven ability to develop new business.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Willingness to travel throughout the assigned territory.

Responsibilities

• Develop and grow relationships with high-end restaurants, country clubs, resorts, hotels and independent retailers.
• Open new accounts and recover inactive or lost business.
• Drive premium wine sales with a focus on fine wine, luxury brands and strategic supplier portfolios.
• Build and maintain effective account plans for key customers.
• Conduct tastings, staff trainings, wine dinners and other account-development activities.
• Establish consistent, disciplined route coverage across a geographically dispersed territory.
• Work closely with suppliers and Grapevine management to develop strategic market opportunities.
• Maintain accurate sales forecasts, account notes, activity reporting and business plans.
• Identify opportunities to increase placements, menu features, by-the-glass programs and wine-list representation.
• Develop strong relationships with buyers, beverage directors, chefs, club professionals and hospitality decision-makers.
• Take ownership of territory performance and continuously identify opportunities for incremental growth.

Skills

Wine & spirits sales

Hospitality knowledge

Relationship building

Territory development

Premium wine brands

Job description

Location: Highlands, NC

Job Id:134-HIGH

# of Openings:1

Western Carolina Market Development Representative

Grapevine Distributors of the Carolinas is seeking an entrepreneurial, highly motivated wine and spirits sales professional to build and develop a high-opportunity territory across Western North Carolina and the Upstate South Carolina market.

This is a market development position, not simply an account-service role. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing new business, strengthening existing relationships, increasing premium wine sales and establishing Grapevine as a leading supplier to the region's finest restaurants, country clubs, resorts, hotels and independent retailers.

Territory

The position will have a primary focus on the Highlands/Cashiers/Western North Carolina market, supplemented by a strategically selected group of Upstate South Carolina on-premise accounts, with the exact geographic footprint determined based on the successful candidate's residence, experience and ability to efficiently cover the territory.

The position may also have the opportunity to expand into broader Western North Carolina as the territory and company needs evolve.

The Opportunity

The Highlands/Cashiers/Western North Carolina market represents a significant growth opportunity for the right salesperson. The market currently includes approximately 70 active buyers, providing an established foundation of business and customer relationships from which to build.

These active buyers span some of the region's most prestigious restaurants, country clubs, resorts, hotels, hospitality properties and independent retailers, creating a strong platform for continued growth in premium wine and spirits.

The opportunity extends well beyond maintaining the existing customer base. There is significant potential to:

• Increase share of wallet within existing accounts
• Increase order frequency
• Expand premium wine placements
• Develop new wine-list and by-the-glass opportunities
• Recover dormant and lost accounts
• Open new on-premise accounts
• Expand Grapevine's supplier representation
• Develop additional country-club and resort business
• Create new wine dinner, tasting and staff-training opportunities

With approximately 70 active buyers already purchasing from Grapevine, the foundation is firmly established. The challenge—and opportunity—is to increase the depth, frequency and quality of business across the market.

This is a territory where a highly disciplined, relationship-driven salesperson can have a meaningful impact and build substantial long-term earning potential.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and grow relationships with high-end restaurants, country clubs, resorts, hotels and independent retailers.
• Open new accounts and recover inactive or lost business.
• Drive premium wine sales with a focus on fine wine, luxury brands and strategic supplier portfolios.
• Build and maintain effective account plans for key customers.
• Conduct tastings, staff trainings, wine dinners and other account-development activities.
• Establish consistent, disciplined route coverage across a geographically dispersed territory.
• Work closely with suppliers and Grapevine management to develop strategic market opportunities.
• Maintain accurate sales forecasts, account notes, activity reporting and business plans.
• Identify opportunities to increase placements, menu features, by-the-glass programs and wine-list representation.
• Develop strong relationships with buyers, beverage directors, chefs, club professionals and hospitality decision-makers.
• Take ownership of territory performance and continuously identify opportunities for incremental growth.

What We Are Looking For

The ideal candidate is a builder—someone who enjoys creating business rather than simply maintaining an established route.

• Previous wine, spirits, hospitality or beverage sales experience.
• Strong knowledge and passion for wine.
• Proven ability to develop new business.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Strong organization and time-management skills.
• A disciplined approach to route planning, account coverage and follow-up.
• Comfort selling premium and luxury wine.
• Ability to work independently while remaining highly accountable.
• Willingness to travel throughout the assigned territory.
• A competitive, entrepreneurial mindset and genuine desire to grow a market.
• Experience working with fine dining, luxury hospitality, country clubs, resorts or high-end wine programs is highly valued.

What Success Looks Like

The successful candidate will be expected to establish a disciplined market coverage plan, develop strong relationships with existing buyers, identify new opportunities and steadily increase both the number and value of active accounts.

Success will be measured through:

• Growth in total sales
• Growth in premium wine sales
• New account acquisition
• Reactivation of dormant accounts
• Increased placements and wine-list representation
• Increased account order frequency
• Growth within strategic supplier portfolios
• Consistent market coverage and execution
• Development of long-term customer relationships

The Opportunity to Build Something

This is not simply a position responsible for servicing an established book of business.

Approximately 70 active buyers already exist in the Highlands/Cashiers/Western North Carolina market, and there is significant additional whitespace throughout the territory.

The right salesperson will have the opportunity to take an established foundation and build it into a significantly larger, more productive premium wine and spirits territory.

As the business develops, the role may also expand into additional Western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina markets, including potential responsibility for the Asheville market.

We are not simply looking for someone to fill a route.

We are looking for someone who wants to build something.