Sales Rep - Small Format - Tumwater, WA

Columbia Distributing; Tumwater (WA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 51,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Paid vacation

Paid holidays

Job summary

Columbia Distributing is hiring a Sales Rep for Small Format in Washington. You will drive beverage sales, manage accounts, and execute territory plans with merchandising and reporting support.

You will engage with customers, work across departments, and strive to increase core brand distribution while meeting monthly, quarterly and annual objectives. Local travel and weekend work may be required; a high energy, customer‑focused professional is ideal.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED required.
• Sales fundamentals including CSP training required at hire.
• Cicerone Level 1 certification within one year of start date.
• Minimum two years of beverage industry sales experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage inventory expenses per policy and drive sales growth.
• Sell Columbia Distributing portfolio across assigned accounts.
• Develop territory plans, merchandising, and reporting on performance.
• Build relationships with customers and internal teams to meet objectives.
• Travel locally to support accounts and train staff as needed.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Oral and written comms

Industry product knowledge

Organizational skills

Relationship building

Education

High School diploma

CSP training

Cicerone Level 1

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Sales Rep - Small Format

Pay Range: $50,000.00 - $51,000.00 per year

Working Locations: Pierce County, Washington, United States; Tumwater, Washington, United States

Classification: Outside Sales Exempt

Reports to: District Manager

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, performing functions to secure new business accounts and facilitate 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 80% of accounts surveyed and above MVP standards in 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 year of start date.
• Minimum two 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 401(k) 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.

Benefits

Columbia Distributing offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, 24/7 virtual care, paid vacation, sick and holiday time, and a 401(k) plan with company match.

AAP/EEO Statement

Columbia Distributing is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Please contact the Human Resources Dept. at [phone] or email [e-mail] if you have questions regarding reasonable accommodations.