State Manager – Southern California

Wild Common LLC; California, Northern (MO, KY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Benefits package

Unlimited vacation

Job summary

Wild Common LLC is seeking a State Manager to develop the California portfolio, manage distributors, and drive depletion, POS features, and event execution. You will lead activations and collaborate with teams to grow brand presence and account relationships.

The role requires leadership, strong selling skills, and the ability to work flexible hours, including nights and weekends, to support activations and promotions.

Qualifications

• Sales experience in beverage alcohol required.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Experience leading activations and events.
• Ability to analyze market data and trends.
• Proven track record with distributor relationships.

Responsibilities

• Market Analysis: maintain target accounts and analyze market data.
• Planning: manage activation calendar and deploy focused strategies.
• Field Marketing: lead promotions, tastings, and in-store displays.
• Admin / Budget: manage local budget and CRM records.

Skills

Sales experience

Communication

Team leadership

Market analysis

Distributor relations

Event planning

Negotiation

Job description

Wild Common crafts small batch tequila and mezcal for people who believe in uncompromising standards. Our tequilas are crafted in Jalisco, Mexico, and our mezcals in Oaxaca, Mexico, with transparency, honesty, and reverence for tradition. We have dual responsibilities—to our consumers who deserve the highest standards, and to the producers, culture, and lands that create these spirits. Our role is bridging that connection.

About the Position:

Reporting to the President, this State Manager will be responsible for developing the Wild Common portfolio in California -- a foundational focus market for the brands' success and future growth. Focus includes distributor management, achieving depletion goals, gaining high quality points of distribution, cocktail menus / features, displays, key account management, and event execution.

Lead, co-develop and execute all Wild Common activation initiatives in market. Leverage all resources, partnerships, and relationships to build and execute the Wild Common activation plan. Grow Wild Common portfolio presence, awareness, and relevance among target consumers and accounts.

Develop close and effective relationships with the personnel and management of the distributor team. Identify, cultivate, educate, and motivate Key Brand Influencers; particularly bartenders, managers, and owners of On and Off Premise Target Accounts; and spirits opinion-makers.

Qualifications & Experience:

REQUIREMENTS:

• Sales experience in the beverage alcohol industry
• Professional team based or collaboration experience
• Track record of results
• Strong selling and communication skills, oral and written
• Ability to analyze reporting, identify business trends and react quickly to the needs of the business and use digital platforms to track data
• Availability and flexibility to work days, nights, and weekends as needed to support the business.
• Leadership of activations, tastings, and sell in required.

STRONGLY PREFERRED:

• Marketing and sales experience in CPG or high image categories
• Hospitality experience
• Confident public speaker with in-depth spirits knowledge
• Ability and willingness to work non-traditional hours (nights/weekends)

To Be Successful In This Role You Will:

• Create and maintain lasting connections through existing and new account contacts
• Seamlessly integrate with the team and support our omnichannel business
• Consistently meet sales and profitability targets
• Educate others on Wild Common's mission and product
• Be driven to identify business opportunities and implement solutions
• Be self-motivated, driven, independent, entrepreneurial
• Business savvy and current on industry trends, market changes, customers, and the use of new technology to drive in-store performance.

Responsibilities:

1. Market Analysis

• Maintain target account lists based upon relative category benchmark reports from distributor, market depletion reports, and personal local market knowledge
• Collect and analyze market intelligence from trade contacts and distributor insights
• Report weekly on all Activation Initiatives, including timeline status, key issues, key contacts, Target Account needs, special requests, etc.
• Track account velocity results via orders and reorders

2. Planning

• Understand Target Consumers and Accounts, brand attributes and key selling points
• Lead, co-develop and manage Activation Calendar:
• Developing and selectively deploying focused strategies and resources to drive distribution and velocity
• Major Events/Trade Shows/Account Events/Consumer Events
• Assess ROIs for all programing and ensure we are always within guidelines
• Track progress, resolve issues, adjust based on key learnings, share successes
• Support distributor activities, including sales meetings, trade tastings, and trade events
• Build rapport with distributor team through personal interaction and adding value to them
• Independently open new accounts and create account relationships

4. Field Marketing

• Actively seek out and identify local events and promotional opportunities to help drive increased Wild Common brand awareness and trial
• Lead merchandising activities in the market including installation of shelf talkers, bottle neck hangers, retail displays, branded signage, menu / cocktail features, etc.
• Lead effective and efficient communication with Wild Common Leadership on all local promotions and events to ensure strategic execution
• Manage Point of Sale assets and regional allocation

5. Admin / Budget Compliance

• Understand sources of account and performance data in your market, and work to incorporate insights into local sales strategies
• Manage local market budget adhering to company approval policies, expense reporting policies and expense management platform
• Participate in weekly team and individual sales calls with Wild Common Leadership and maintain a high level of communication regarding market management
• Adhere to all sales and marketing reporting routines
• Use CRM to document opportunities and successes with accounts

Location & Travel:

• Must live in California
• Must have own transportation
• Travel within the state is a must
• Trips to Mexico with customers to help with opportunities

Compensation:

• Bonus (based on hitting vol/distribution/KPI goals)
• A full benefits package and expense account are included with employment
• Unlimited vacation days + company holidays