Sales Director

ForceBrands; California; Vor Ort; USD 150.000 - 230.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

ForceBrands is seeking a hands-on Sales Director to build and lead the U.S. sales function, partnering with founders and external sales partners to develop the commercial strategy, secure retail accounts, and recruit a growing sales team.

This role offers ownership over market expansion and commercial execution for an emerging RTD brand, requiring beverage alcohol experience, strong industry relationships, and a bias for action to drive distribution and retail velocity.

Qualifikationen

• Experience leading U.S. beverage alcohol sales.
• Experience building distribution for startups or growth brands.
• Strong network across national/regional retailers and distributors.

Aufgaben

• Develop and execute the U.S. sales strategy across markets and channels.
• Lead retailer pitches, negotiations, and business reviews to secure placements.
• Build distributor relationships and state-by-state expansion plans.
• Recruit, onboard, and develop the U.S. sales team.
• Own pricing, trade spend, and merchandising initiatives.
• Forecast, budgeting, and performance reporting to founders.
• Coordinate with Marketing and Operations to align promotions and supply.

Kenntnisse

Beverage sales leadership

RTD experience

Startup distribution

Three-tier distribution

Retail relationships

Team building

Budget & P&L management

Negotiation & pitching

Entrepreneurial mindset

Jobbeschreibung

*****This post is NOT for a job at ForceBrands*****

About the Company

Our client is an emerging ready-to-drink cocktail brand preparing for expansion across the United States. With initial retail partnerships secured and experienced commercial partners supporting the launch, the company is building the team and distribution network to support national growth.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a hands-on Sales Director to build and lead the U.S. sales function. Working directly with the founders and alongside external sales partners, this individual will develop the commercial strategy, secure retail accounts, build distributor relationships, and recruit a growing sales team.

This is an opportunity to shape an early-stage business with significant ownership over market expansion and commercial execution. The right candidate brings beverage alcohol experience, strong industry relationships, and the willingness to personally drive the work required to build distribution and retail velocity.

What You'll Do:

• Develop and execute the U.S. sales strategy, including priority markets, channel expansion, account acquisition, and revenue targets.
• Build relationships with national and regional retailers across liquor, grocery, convenience, and club channels.
• Lead retailer pitches, negotiations, business reviews, and joint business planning to secure placements and expand existing accounts.
• Partner with external sales partners to accelerate account acquisition, coordinate distributor strategies, and establish clear ownership and performance expectations.
• Develop distributor relationships and state-by-state expansion plans, aligning partners around distribution, volume, and execution goals.
• Engage distributor sales teams through market visits, product training, incentives, and regular performance reviews.
• Recruit, onboard, and develop the U.S. sales team, initially focused on field sales representatives.
• Establish sales processes, targets, reporting, and accountability as the organization grows.
• Own pricing, promotional planning, and trade spend, evaluating investments against sell-through and return.
• Drive in-store execution, including product availability, shelf placement, displays, pricing, and merchandising.
• Collaborate with Marketing on tastings, retail activations, and programs that build trial and repeat purchase.
• Own sales forecasting, budgeting, and performance reporting, providing clear updates and recommendations to the founders.
• Partner with Operations and Supply Chain to align inventory with retail demand, promotions, and market expansion.

Who You Are

• An experienced U.S. beverage alcohol sales leader, ideally with a background in RTDs or another high-growth alcoholic beverage category.
• Experienced in building distribution for a startup, emerging brand, or scaling beverage business.
• Well versed in the three-tier distribution system, route-to-market strategies, and state-by-state market dynamics.
• Connected across retail and distribution, with experience managing national or regional chains and driving distributor performance.
• A proven team builder who can recruit, develop, and manage sales talent while remaining directly involved in selling.
• Commercially and financially strong, with experience managing budgets, trade spend, forecasts, and P&L accountability.
• An effective negotiator and presenter who can translate a brand story into a compelling retailer proposition.
• Entrepreneurial, resourceful, and accountable, with the ability to set priorities and deliver results in a fast-moving environment.