State Manager

Kobrand Fine Wine & Spirits; Stamford (CT); On-site; USD 100,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Kobrand Fine Wine & Spirits is seeking a Connecticut State Manager to oversee distributor relationships, inventory, pricing, and programming, while driving sales to key accounts across the Northeastern U.S. You will collaborate with suppliers, distributor managers, and cross-functional teams to optimize market performance.

The role emphasizes leadership in distributor networks, event promotion, and data-driven planning; requires wine industry knowledge and a proven track record in on/off-premise

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.
• Exceptional closing skills and strong verbal/written communication; highly organized.
• Wine knowledge of regions and industry; CSW or WSET a plus.
• Strong computer skills with emphasis on Excel; valid driver’s license; 21+ years of age.

Responsibilities

• Manage distributor relationships, inventory, pricing and programming for the market.
• Drive sales to key accounts, coordinating with suppliers and distributor managers.
• Plan and execute on/off premise promotional events and wine tastings.
• Develop and maintain a key account list and personal relationships with buyers and managers.
• Monitor monthly sales, track performance of key accounts, and adjust plans.
• Review market data to identify trends and opportunities; manage regional quotas.
• Lead performance reviews with distributor management and set future action plans.

Skills

Distributor management

Account management

Closing skills

Verbal/written communication

Organizational skills

Education

CSW/WSET certification

Tools

Excel

Job description

We are searching for a dynamic, highly motivated, and goal-oriented Connecticut State Manager. This individual will be responsible for distributor management, including inventory, pricing management and programming, as well as sales to key accounts, working with suppliers and distributor managers, conducting special events, and providing market information to the Group Manager for the Northeastern 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 Distributor network, Kobrand suppliers, Portfolio Specialists, Channel Teams and the corporate office
• Work with multiple local distributors to ensure that Kobrand sales team 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, a performance-based bonus and a comprehensive benefits package. The base compensation range for this job classification is between $100,000 and $110,000. The determination of what a specific employee in this job classification is paid depends on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, prior employment history/job-related skills and qualifications.