State Manager

Kobrand Fine Wine & Spirits; Fairfax (VA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-based bonus

Job summary

Kobrand Corporation in Northern Virginia seeks a Virginia State Manager to oversee distributor relationships, inventory, pricing, and programming while driving sales to key accounts.

You will partner with suppliers, distributor managers, and internal teams to plan events, tastings, and promotions; review performance, identify market opportunities, and relay insights to the Group Manager for the southeast.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years of experience selling fine wines in on- and off-premise accounts.
• Distributor management experience including inventory, pricing, and programming.
• Account management experience developing new business, managing existing accounts and recovering lost accounts.
• Exceptional closing skills, strong verbal/written communication, and organizational skills.
• Knowledge of wine regions and industry; CSW/WSET or similar a plus.
• Strong computer skills with emphasis on Excel.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license; 21+ years of age.
• Willingness to travel up to 50% of the time.

Responsibilities

• Manage distributor relationships, inventory, pricing, and programming for the market.
• Drive sales to key accounts and manage local budgets and distributor accounts receivable.
• Develop and maintain a key account list and relationships with buyers and managers.
• Collaborate with Kobrand suppliers, Portfolio Specialists, Channel Teams and the corporate office.
• Plan and conduct on/off premise promotional events and wine tastings for consumers/trade.
• Review monthly sales and key account performance and identify market opportunities.

Skills

Wine sales

Distributor management

Account management

Closing skills

Communication

Organizational skills

Education

CSW/WSET certification

Tools

Excel

Job description

We are seeking a dynamic, highly motivated, and goal-oriented Virginia State Manager to be based in the Northern Virginia area. This role will be responsible for managing distributor relationships, including inventory, pricing, and programming, while driving sales to key accounts. The State Manager will also partner closely with suppliers and distributor managers, execute special events, and provide market insights to the Group Manager for the southeastern United States.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties and responsibilities of the position include the following (other duties may be assigned as needed):

• 60% focus on distributor & market management / 40% focus on account management
• Manage inventory, pricing and programming for entire market
• Manage sales, local marketing fund and T&E budgets and distributor accounts receivable invoice processing
• Develop and maintain a key account list, including personal relationships with key buyers/owners and managers
• Work with a team spirit that includes a distributor network, Kobrand suppliers, Portfolio Specialists, Channel Teams and the corporate office
• Work with multiple local distributors to ensure that Kobrand is getting adequate street and sales meeting time with distributor management and reps
• Propose and conduct on/off premise promotional events
• Conduct wine tastings and wine dinners for consumers/trade
• Review monthly sales team performance, and key account performance
• Identify market trends and opportunities and propose action plans for all markets
• Manage regional quota and sales team quota of depletions, placements, and qualitative efforts
• Conduct regular Performance Review Meetings with Distributor Management, including future action plans for goal attainment in all areas

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum five years of experience selling fine wines in both on and off-premise accounts
• Distributor management experience including inventory, pricing, and programming
• Account management experience developing new business, managing existing accounts and recovering lost accounts
• Must have exceptional closing skills, strong verbal/written communication, and organizational skills
• Passion and knowledge of wine, wine regions and the wine industry (CSW, WSET, or similar, a plus)
• Strong computer skills are a MUST with a specific emphasis on Excel
• Must possess a valid driver’s license
• Must be 21 years of age

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be able to comfortably lift and carry up to 50 pounds
• Must be able to walk, stand, climb, balance, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, or crouch on a daily basis
• Must be able to travel within the territory up to 50% of the time

Kobrand Corporation offers a competitive salary, performance-based bonus, and a comprehensive benefits package. The base compensation range for this job classification is between $100,000 and $115,000. The determination of what a specific employee in this job classification is dependent on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, prior employment history, job-related skills and qualifications, and length of service.