State Manager II - Charlotte, NC

Suntory Global Spirits; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 140,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

401K match

Profit sharing

Medical & wellness benefits

Job summary

Suntory Global Spirits is seeking a State Manager II to lead its NC spirits portfolio, overseeing distributor relationships and driving brand and sales strategies. You will manage a team of sales professionals, align with marketing, and work to achieve sales targets, market share growth, and profitability across on-premise, off-premise, and e‑commerce channels.

The role requires 5+ years in sales/CPG, strong leadership, and extensive distributor management experience; willingness to travel

Qualifications

• 5+ years of sales and management experience in spirits/CPG.
• Proven ability to lead and manage a sales team while achieving measurable results.
• Strong background in distributor management and account development.

Responsibilities

• Lead Suntory's Global Spirits portfolio across NC and oversee distributor relationships.
• Drive execution of brand and sales strategies and manage a professional team.
• Achieve annual sales, distribution and volume targets; manage budgets and ROI.
• Conduct market visits, evaluate execution, and build key account relationships.
• Collaborate with marketing and key account managers on national/regional programs.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Negotiation

Team management

Market analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

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Suntory Global Spirits is a world leader in premium spirits with $5.5 billion in annual revenues and an ambition to become the World’s Most Admired Premium Spirits Company. We have a strong vision and strategy, an incredible brand portfolio grounded in quality and craftsmanship, an unwavering commitment to sustainability and top talent across the organization. We are focused on driving value across key priorities including American whiskey, Japanese Spirits, Scotch, Tequila and Ready-to-Drink. Headquartered in New York City, Suntory Global Spirits is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings, which is world renowned for delivering quality and excellence across a range of products and categories.

Mission of the Role Join one of the world’s largest premium spirits suppliers and take responsibility for managing a critically important piece of our business in North Carolina. You’ll have the opportunity to partner with dedicated distributor marketing and sales teams and work closely with key accounts to build our business together by creating impactful plans and programs and driving best in class execution. At Suntory Global Spirits we drive our leaders to:

• Build winning teams and partnerships
• Think Strategically as an owner
• Promote and inspire engagement and a development culture
• Deliver impactful results

Role Responsibilities

The State Manager II is responsible for leading Suntory's Global Spirits' portfolio of spirits across the state of North Carolina. This role will oversee distributor relationships, drive the execution of brand and sales strategies, and manage a team of professionals to achieve sales goals, market share growth, and profitability. The ideal candidate is a dynamic leader with a strong understanding of the spirits industry and the ability to foster collaboration across teams.

Team Leadership

• Manage and lead a team of sales professionals across NC, fostering a high-performance culture.
• Set clear objectives, provide ongoing coaching, and evaluate performance to ensure the team meets and exceeds goals.
• Promote collaboration, professional development, and alignment with Suntory Global Spirits' core values and objectives.

Distributor Management

• Serve as the primary contact for distributor partners in NC, ensuring alignment with Suntory Global Spirits' business strategies.
• Develop and execute joint business plans with distributors to meet sales and distribution targets.
• Monitor distributor performance and hold them accountable for depletions, execution standards, and promotional effectiveness.

Sales and Market Execution

• Achieve annual sales, distribution, and volume targets for Suntory Global Spirits' spirits portfolio.
• Drive excellence in execution across on-premise, off-premise, and emerging e-commerce accounts.
• Conduct regular market visits to evaluate execution, build relationships with key accounts, and identify opportunities.
• Implement and track brand programs, promotional activities, and pricing strategies.

Strategic Planning and Collaboration

• Work closely with State Managers/Directors to align on local strategies.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including marketing and key account managers, to execute national and regional programs.
• Provide insights and feedback from the market to inform strategies and drive continuous improvement.

Market Analysis and Reporting

• Analyze market trends, competitive activity, and performance data to inform strategic decisions.
• Prepare regular performance reports for leadership, highlighting successes, challenges, and opportunities.
• Manage budgets effectively, ensuring alignment with corporate guidelines and ROI objectives.

Qualifications

Experience

• 5+ years of sales and management experience in the spirits, beverage, or consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry.
• Proven ability to lead and manage a sales team while achieving measurable results.
• Strong background in distributor management and account development.

Skills

• Deep knowledge of the spirits industry, distributor networks, and large market dynamics.
• Exceptional leadership and team management abilities.
• Strong analytical and strategic planning skills.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or related field (preferred).
• Willingness to travel extensively within the territory.
• Valid driver's license.

Key Competencies

• Leadership: inspires and empowers team performance through vision, support and accountability.
• Results-Oriented: Maintains a relentless focus on achieving and exceeding objectives.
• Strategic Thinking: Anticipates market dynamics and crafts impactful strategies.
• Collaboration: Partners effectively across functions to align resources and deliver results.
• Adaptability: Thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Physical Demands

While performing the essential functions of this job, daily physical activities may include, but aren't limited to:

• Lifting/lowering, pushing, carrying, or pulling of up to 45 lbs.
• Sitting, standing, walking, bending, reaching, stopping and typing using a computer.

The salary range for this role is $140,000- $165,000 along with an annual bonus, 401K match, profit sharing, and medical and wellness benefits. The salary range is commensurate with the candidate’s location, experience, and skillset. The range will vary if outside of this location.