Sales Rep - Small Format

columbiainternal; Washington; On-site; USD 45,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Columbia Distributing is seeking a Small Format Sales Representative to drive beverage sales in the assigned market. You will secure new business, manage existing accounts, and execute territory plans, merchandising, and communication to achieve company and supplier objectives.

This full-time role requires strong product knowledge, excellent written and spoken communication, and the ability to build relationships with internal teams and customers.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED required.
• Sales CSP training required on hire; Cicerone Level 1 within 1 year.
• Minimum 2 years beverage industry sales experience.
• Valid driver's license and auto insurance required.
• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Previous grocery or retail experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage inventory expenses per company policy.
• Interact respectfully with inter-company departments, suppliers and customers.
• Support the rotating and merchandising of product.
• Complete all required training to improve performance.
• Maintain a high level of industry knowledge: beer, non-alcoholic, food journals, trends, market share, etc.
• Create opportunities and develop programs appropriate to customer base.
• Submit all required reporting, preplans, trackers, surveys, market surveys (MVPs), expense report, mileage log.
• Effectively sell the Columbia Distributing portfolio in all assigned accounts.
• Minimum visibility in assigned accounts must be equal to or greater than competition.
• Increase net core brand distribution over baseline throughout the year.
• Minimum MVP standards in eighty percent (80%) of accounts surveyed and above MVP standards in twenty percent (20%) of accounts surveyed.
• Accomplish sales and distribution goals by executing the monthly, quarterly and annual business objectives and company initiatives.

Skills

Industry knowledge

MS Office

Oral & written communication

Time management

Customer relationships

Education

High School diploma or GED

CSP training

Cicerone level 1

Bachelor's degree preferred

Job description

Summary

Small Format Sales Representatives are essential to Columbia Distributing's success. Each rep is responsible for advancing and securing beverage sales in the market, performs functions to secure new business accounts and facilitates the needs of the existing sales accounts. This is accomplished through territory planning, selling, merchandising and communicating the achievement of company and supplier objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage inventory expenses in accordance with company policy.
• Interact respectfully and maintain dialogue with inter-company departments, suppliers and customers
• Support the rotating and merchandising of product
• Complete all required training to improve performance and effectiveness
• Maintain a high level of industry knowledge: beer, non-alcoholic, food journals, trends, market share, etc.
• Create opportunities and develop programs appropriate to customer base.
• Submit all required reporting, preplans, trackers, surveys, market surveys (MVPs), expense report, mileage log, etc. by the required due date.
• Effectively sell the Columbia Distributing portfolio in all assigned accounts
• Minimum visibility in assigned accounts must be equal to or greater than competition
• Increase net core brand distribution over baseline throughout the year
• Minimum MVP standards in eighty percent (80%) of accounts surveyed and above MVP standards in twenty percent (20%) of accounts surveyed
• Accomplish sales and distribution goals by executing the monthly, quarterly and annual business objectives and company initiatives

Key Competencies

• General knowledge of industry products
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Effective organizational and time management skills
• Ability to develop strong relationships with internal and external customers

Work Environment

This job operates in our accounts, mostly indoors with occasional outdoor work.

Physical Demands

• Lift, carry, push, and pull up to 165 lbs.
• Use arms, wrists, hands, grasp
• Must be proficient in the use of industry tools including hand truck, six wheeler, manual pallet jack, box cutter, etc.
• Drive

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position, days/hours of work vary, and may include weekends.

Travel

Local travel only

Required Education and Experience

• High School diploma or GED required.
• Sales Fundamental (which includes Certified Sales Professional-CSP training and certification) required upon hiring; Cicerone level one required within one (1) year of start date
• Minimum two (2) years previous sales experience in beverage industry
• Valid driver's license and auto insurance required

Preferred Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree preferred
• Previous grocery or retail experience

Compensation

• Actual compensation packages are based on a wide array of factors unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, years and depth of experience, certifications, and specific location.
• Employees (and their families) are eligible for medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees are able to enroll in our company's 401k plan. Employees are also eligible for 80 hours of vacation every year and 7-8 days of paid holidays throughout the calendar year (depending on location).
• Hired applicant may be eligible for [incentives/ bonuses/ annual bonuses.

Classification: Outside Sales Exemppt

Reports to: District Manager