WineTalent Classifieds: Midwest Sales Manager

WineTalent is working with our client, Long Meadow Ranch, on this Midwest Sales Manager role.

Long Meadow Ranch (LMR) is a family-owned and -operated producer and purveyor of world-class wine and food that is economically successful and socially responsible and that employs diversified, sustainable, and organic farming methods. LMR produces award-winning wines, hand-crafted extra virgin olive oils, grass-fed beef and lamb, eggs, and heirloom fruits and vegetables.

Reporting to the VP pf Sales, the Midwest Sales Manager will work in conjunction with our distributor partners in the territory. This role will work independently as well as with our distributors’ sales teams to sell, establish and maintain relationships with on and off premise accounts in these markets. Additionally, this role works collaboratively with the entire LMR sales team on national and chain account development and maintenance.  
Responsibilities:  
•  Sales Management
o Management of all sales in the territory with the designated wholesalers
o Make direct sales calls on the key accounts in the territory
o Work closely with the respective distributor’s sales representatives in the designated territory
o Create target account list
o Presentation of new wines to the respective distributors in the territory
o Use the distributor resources and all available reports when applicable to track sales, inventory and progress
o Use LMR TARGIT Sales system to track sales, depletions, inventory and progress

•  Brand Management
o Direct the placements and image of the products
o Plan work-with schedules in the territory; make arrangements for presentations and events with distributors, trade customers and consumers when in the territory
o Work with VP Sales to develop budgets, programs and marketing strategies for territory
o Provide frequent presentations to the distributor’s sales teams in general, individual team and manager meetings
o Planning and presentations of events in territory
o Planning and presentations for in-store tasting or consumer educational seminars

•  Sales Administration
o Manage expense budget
o Submit and maintain price change forms to ensure current listing are up to date at distributors
o Provide LMR with consistent reports of progress regarding the territory
o Provide status reports via e-mail to LMR head office upon request
o Communicate regularly with VP of Sales
o Oversee collections from distributors when necessary
o Provide VP of Sales with activity reports
o Maintain distributors’ workbooks with goals, updated price structure, programs and notes 
o Must maintain a mutually respectable relationship with other LMR team members

Education, Experience and Required Skills:
•  At least 2 years of wine sales experience in the state of Illinois and Midwest territory. Wine sales experience for either a supplier or a distributor is highly desirable
•  Bachelor’s degree in Business, desirable, or relevant work experience in lieu of a degree will also be considered
•  Additional wine education highly desirable
•  High proficiency in MS Office and Google Gsuite productivity tools
•  Proficiency in sales management reporting software a plus
•  Preferably based in Chicago 
•  Valid Driver’s license and clean driving record required  
•  Ability to lift 40+ pounds
•  Ability to work both independently and as a team
•  A pre-employment background check is required 

Compensation and Benefits
•  This is a full-time, salaried position.
•  Competitive salary and incentive program depending on experience plus benefits including medical/dental insurance, paid vacation and 401(k).

All inquiries will be be kept strictly confidential

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