Kentucky Spirits State Manager - Brand & Trade Leader

Spirits Investment Partners; Louisville (KY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Spirits Investment Partners (SIP) is seeking a State Manager, Kentucky to lead sales, marketing and events for the SIP portfolio in Kentucky. You will manage distributor relationships, drive depletion and distribution targets, and plan Louisville, Lexington, and Northern Kentucky activity with a focus on Heaven’s Door Whiskey and Rare Hare.

You will represent SIP at key bourbon events, train trade teams, and coordinate with the Area Director on strategic programming for The Last Refuge.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of beverage alcohol industry experience in sales, field marketing, or brand advocacy.
• Kentucky market experience with existing distributor, trade, and bourbon community relationships.
• Experience managing a distributor or wholesaler relationship and driving execution through their sales teams.
• Strong understanding of the three-tier system with supplier or distributor experience.
• Proven on-premise selling: cocktail menu placements, back bar, and by-the-glass features.
• Experience managing a high-profile key account, including staff training and programming.
• Experience planning and executing trade and consumer events, tastings, and sponsorships.
• Deep whiskey knowledge; Executive Bourbon Steward or WSET is a plus.
• Strong analytical skills to read sales data and turn into action.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and hosting skills.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Must reside in Kentucky, near Louisville.
• Available to work nights and weekends.
• Must be 21+ and have a valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Deliver against the Kentucky depletion, distribution, and revenue targets.
• Manage Kentucky distributor relationships day-to-day with the Area Director.
• Lead distributor meetings, work-withs, reviews, and quarterly business planning sessions.
• Call on key on- and off-premise accounts weekly, selling distribution and placements.
• Build the on-premise base across Louisville, Lexington, and Northern Kentucky.
• Grow off-premise presence with independent and chain retailers, including displays.
• Train distributor sales teams on product knowledge and brand standards.
• Monitor depletion data, distribution reports, and KPIs; build corrective plans.
• Represent Heaven’s Door and SIP at events as in-market lead.
• Manage The Last Refuge account program and sponsorships; coordinate with teams.
• Ensure compliance with Kentucky ABC regulations and reporting.

Skills

Beverage sales

Distributor relations

Event hosting

Analytical skills

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

CRM software

Job description

Spirits Investment Partners (SIP) is seeking a State Manager, Kentucky to lead sales, marketing and events for the SIP portfolio in Kentucky. You will manage distributor relationships, drive depletion and distribution targets, and plan Louisville, Lexington, and Northern Kentucky activity with a focus on Heaven’s Door Whiskey and Rare Hare.

You will represent SIP at key bourbon events, train trade teams, and coordinate with the Area Director on strategic programming for The Last Refuge.