WineTalent Classifieds: Consumer Sales Manager in St. Helena, CA

Consumer Sales Manager

WineTalent is working with our client, Long Meadow Ranch, on a Consumer Sales Manager role in St. Helena, CA.

Description:  Long Meadow Ranch is a family­ owned and operated producer and purveyor of world-­class wine and food that is economically successful and socially responsible using diversified, sustainable, and organic farming methods. We produce award­-winning wines, handcrafted extra virgin olive oils, grass­-fed beef, eggs, and heirloom fruits and vegetables.

Long Meadow Ranch has a unique opportunity for a Consumer Sales professional to take on a pivotal role with the company.  The Consumer Sales Manager is responsible for managing the direct-to-consumer related sales activities for Long Meadow Ranch including wine club, e-commerce and telesales (outsourced). The Consumer Sales Manager will develop and execute strategies to increase sales in all direct-to-consumer channels across the business including forecasting and budget management while motivating the sales team to exceed goals.

Responsibilities:

●      Manage consumer sales channels including wine club, telesales, and e-commerce.

●      Manage customer databases including development of new strategies for targeted customer communications and club membership growth.

●      Supervise order processing and warehouse fulfillment and resolution of customer service issues.

●      Develop and manage consumer sales channel budget including forecasting and expense management to meet or exceed sales and membership acquisition goals.

●      Deliver periodic reporting on sales performance and membership growth the management team.

●      Provide training and mentorship to consumer sales teams including hospitality, wine club, telesales, e-commerce, customer service and seasonal employees to exceed goals.

●      Develop and maintain SOP’s for Vin65 platform, order processing and fulfillment.

●      Develop customer relationship management systems.

●      Participate in all consumer facing seasonal brand and membership events.

Qualifications and Requirements

·      Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality, Communications, Marketing, Business or related.

·      5 years of wine industry experience including tasting room, wine club and DTC sales.

·      Proficiency and experience with Vin65 administrator tools, Google Drive, Excel, as well as current digital tools and related technology

·      Sharp attention to detail with good oral and written communication skills.

·      Proven track record of growing wine club memberships and DTC sales.

·      Able to work in a team environment as well as operate independently.

·      Highly professional in all interpersonal and customer communications.

·      Creative problem solver with drive and dedication to succeed.

·      Able to lift 40+ lbs.

·      Valid driver’s license and maintain a clean driving record.

·      A pre-employment background check is required.

Compensation and Benefits

·      This is a full-time, salaried position.  Incentives will be provided to foster goal achievement and increased revenues.

·      Competitive compensation depending on experience plus benefits including medical/dental insurance, paid vacation and 401(k).

Interested in this position?  Please email your resume to amy@winetalent.net.  All communications will be kept strictly confidential. 

Know someone who is a great Consumer Sales Manager?  WineTalent offers a referral bonus for anyone referred that is hired through WineTalent.  Let us know who you think is the right person for this job.

WineTalent Classifieds: Event Manager with the Napa Valley Grapegrowers

WineTalent is working with our client, the Napa Valley Grapegrowers, on an Event Manager role.   The successful candidate will demonstrate experience in event planning, working efficiently with a team environment, exemplary organizational skills, an attention to detail, and an aptitude for learning quickly.

The Event Manager will be responsible for the following events:

Annual Membership Events:

• Annual Membership Meeting
• Manage, plan and execute the Annual Membership Meeting
• Work with the Member Relations Manager and Executive Director to coordinate event logistics: AV needs, food & beverage, invitation, venue, etc
• Annual Dinner
• Responsible for the management and coordination of all event aspects of the Annual Dinner
• Event logistics: create event timelines and schedules, manage all vendors, coordinate set up and breakdown, point of contact for event venue, etc.
• Manage all décor, event rentals, AV/lighting, logistics, site, activities, caterers, and other vendors
• Manage all wine donations, pickup/delivery schedules, and pouring
• Assist with sponsorship outreach and management
• Work with Member Relations Manager and Executive Director on the logistics of the stage program and Grower of the Year video
• Manage all follow up details – thank you letters, invoicing, membership communications, etc.
• Other membership events that arise
• Manage the annual membership event budgets and report regularly to the NVG Associate Director

 Harvest STOMP

• Responsible for the management, coordination and execution of the Harvest STOMP annual fundraiser
• Work with STOMP Committee Chairs and Steering Committee to create overall design and vision for event
• Manage all décor, event rentals, AV/lighting, logistics, site, activities, and vendors
• Manage all pre-event, day-of event and post-event details, staff, and logistics teams
• Manage all caterers and coordinate all aspects of food service throughout the event
• Manage the coordination of the band and entertainment requirements
• Manage the event budget, reporting regularly to the NVG Associate Director
• Assist with developing and executing sponsor recognition plan
• Assist with the creation and development of Auction Lots and Lucky Lots
• Work with STOMP Committee in the creation of the attendee take-a-way gift bags
• Oversee the procurement and coordination of all wine donations

·      Efficiently prepare for and coordinate STOMP Steering Committee meetings and various sub-committee meeting schedules

·      Prepare meeting minutes for the STOMP Steering Committee and sub-committee meetings

• Manage all follow up post-event:  thank you packets, auction lot follow up, vendor communication, invoicing, budget, committee wrap up, etc.

 ROOTSTOCK

• Solicit and manage all exhibitor outreach and logistics
• Assist with the setup of the online exhibitor and event registration platform
• Manage all aspects of exhibitor placement, booth assignments, contracts, nametags, etc.
• Exhibitor point of contact for the entire event
• Assist with the coordination and execution of sponsor benefits
• Responsible for managing and executing all aspects of the pre-event seminar and welcome reception
• Assist NVG Program Manager with all event rentals, vendor coordination, and overall event logistics
• Work with NVG Program Manager and FWF Program Manager on event staffing needs
• Coordinate the food & beverage needs for the event
• Attend and participate in all ROOTSTOCK Steering Committee meetings

 Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation

• Annual Pruning Contest
• Responsible for all aspects of management, coordination and execution of the Annual Pruning Contest
• Manage sponsor solicitation and outreach
• Event logistics: create event timelines and schedules, manage all vendors, coordinate set up and breakdown, point of contact for event venue, etc.
• Manage all décor, event rentals, AV, logistics, site, activities, caterers, community organization participants, and other vendors
• Work with Steering Committee to secure all contestant prizes
• Manage Pruning Contest budget, reporting regularly to NVG Associate Director
• Manage all post event wrap up and follow up
• Annual Donor Recognition & Farmworker Appreciation Luncheon
• Manage all event coordination and logistics details of the annual appreciation luncheon
• Secure event venue and oversee all event logistics – catering, AV, donor gifts, wine donation, etc.
• Manage the event budget
• Manage all post-event follow up
• Día de la Familia
• Assist the FWF Program Manager in planning and executing the event
• Coordinate Día de la Familia Steering Committee meetings and prepare meeting minutes
• Assist the FWF Program Manager with vendor logistics – catering, event rentals, audio visual, set up, breakdown, décor, catering/event staff, etc.
• Coordinate all kids activities
• Assist FWF Program Manager with all event wrap up

 Miscellaneous support for NVG seminars & events

Qualifications:   

• ·      Exceptional organization skills
• ·      Excellent writing and communication skills
• ·      High level of accuracy
• ·      Self-starter & ability to self-manage
• ·      Ability to create, maintain, and report budgets
• ·      Proficiency in Excel, Word, and database management
• ·      Demonstrated success working with a planning team
• ·      Proven ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with vendors
• ·      Highly motivated work ethic
• ·      Creativity in designing pleasing décor for events
• ·      2+ years’ experience in the event and/or hospitality industry
• ·      Experience with luxury brands a plus
• ·      Ability to lift 50 lbs.
• ·      Clean driving record with the California DMV
• ·      Aptitude to learn new things & interest in learning the way NVG does things

Interested in applying:  Please email your resume to amy@winetalent.net.  All communications are strictly confidential.  

Waterslides and WineTalent

Yesterday I was off the job, handling kid duty at the local water park. Every year for the last four years my kids have been on the local recreational swim team, and there is an annual trip to the waterslides. It is always a blast, and a great time to spend with the kids, other swimmers and their families. But it is also a great indicator of the state of business for WineTalent.

My first year of going to the waterpark was also the fledgling year for WineTalent. I was working on several harvest placements for wineries, and learning the ropes of having my own company. That year I remember having to negotiate a deal in the parking lot of the waterslide--and that person started two weeks later and worked a winery harvest.

It is suprising how productive my waterpark day can be. I've made new client contracts while working remotely (which in this case means at a far corner of the waterpark where the kid noise is less), set up interviews, and conducted references for potential candidates.

Yesterday I was thinking about this early in the morning, and wanted to find out what the day had in store for WineTalent. I was pleasantly surprised to have a very robust day of business. People were interviewing, several references were following up with me, and a few new clients were finalizing details.

So while I did take a day off work, work didn't cease. And it was a great opportunity to survey my business. I wonder where I'll be with WineTalent next year--can't wait to get on that waterslide and find out.

Unified Wine and Grape Symposium: Follow-up

The whirlwind of the Unified Wine and Grape Symposium is over now, and I'm catching up with lots of new contacts and old friends. The State of the Industry meeting was informative. As I mentioned, the economic downturn was reflected in forecasts for 2008. The wine industry has been expanding in the last several years, and things have been very positive for wineries. Sales have increased, price points have risen, new wineries have been opening up, and corporations have continued with their acquisitions.

One of the telling indicators was the data from restaurant sales. One of the best performers in restaurant sales has been Cabernet Sauvignon, often at high price points. The presenter mentioned that one of the reasons is that these wines are bought often by bankers and other executives during business meals on their expense accounts. As the economy, and specifically banking, is hit, those dinners will be curtailed by both the individual and the companies footing the expense check. There was caution expressed about sales going forward--so the wine industry is understanding that consumers may have less money to spend on special occassions, higher prices luxury items and related purchases. But consumers are buying wine in the US like never before, and younger people, namely the "millenials" are buying lots of wine.

Trends in wine drinking are reflecting the health benefit findings from 2007 of compounds in red wine. Red Wine consumptions has continued to increase. Wine drinkers are also becoming more willing to try new varietals, with lighter red wines seeing more sales, as well as different varietals including Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio seeing big increases in restaurant purchases.

Pinot Noir is still the biggest winner in the varietal category. Merlot and blush wines are still the ugly stepchildren of the wine world. Surprisingly, as long as you are a Rose wine and not a blush wine, things look rosy for you. So those of use who like a good pink wine can drink it knowing it's still cool!

The falling dollar has also had an effect on wine sales of imports. Spain and Italy have done very well marketing to US consumers, reflected in their increased sales figures.

Although everyone is screaming recession in the popular media, indicators show continued consumer spending in wine. So smart wineries should be able to take the Unified data and make educated decisions to continue strong wine sales.

Unified Wine and Grape Symposium

Tomorrow I'll be attending the annual wine industry meeting that is held here in Sacramento. The meeting is always very informative about the state of the industry, the status of different winegrowing areas and varietals, forecasts, and the winery of the year. I've been going to Unified for over 10 years now, and it's always a great time to connect with old colleagues and gives me a chance to meet new faces.

This year I am interested to see what the wine industry's take on the economy is. Litening to the news it seems that everyone has jumped on the recession bandwagon. Back in 2000 and 2001 I worked not only in the wine industry but also in IT. All of my IT clients were scaling hiring back and planning on a long slow recovery. Talking to my winery clients they were almost unaware that the tech sector had suffered a setback, and didn't think it would greatly affect them. But soon the auctions weren't bringing in the dot com dollars of years past, and people were spending less of their money on dining out and on wine. So, what will Unified have to say about the economy tomorrow? I'll let you know.

Why I Chose to Focus on the Wine Industry: Life of a Wine Recruiter

Last night my husband and I had a wonderful evening at Tra Vigne in St. Helena at the Wine Spectator's Bring Your Own Magnum party. The staff at Wine Spectator pulled out all the stops to host a wonderful party with great food, shared wines and dancing.

As a newbie to the event, I didn't know what to expect. Driving up to the event we saw the big tents and scores of people walking in--most with a magnum slung under their arms. Searching for parking up and down the area, we finally made our way to the event. Seeing lots of familar faces, we waded through the sea of people to stop in at the appettizer tables, to grab a taste of various wines at the pouring tables, to eat a great dinner and to dance the night away.

Sitting down with some industry greats, my husband and I enjoyed a wonderful evening meeting winery owners, converts to the way of the vine, and the talent that makes exceptional wine. Talking with some veterans brought home to me why I decided to focus on the wine world.

In my past life I worked with all types of technical companies; pharmaceutical, biotechnology, engineering, semiconductor, software design, website development, aerospace, hospitals and of course wineries. I enjoyed interacting with all of the industries, but always felt that winery personnel were much more personable. Sales calls were never high pressured meetings, but conversations where we got to know each other. Topics ranged from the personnel they needed to travel, food, art and countless other topics. My personal life was not an issue with winery insiders, but just another facet of me. Meetings were chances to catch up on business and each other's lives.

Another big reason I chose the wine world was that the clients I enjoyed working with the most also had a true passion for what they were doing. This included the young lab technician who wanted to find out as much as she could about how wine was made, all the way to the self made millionaire who spoke eloquently about his choice to start up a winery and the enjoyment he took in the hard work that is required to make great wine.

And although it gets blurred in the romance of wine--wine is an agricultural product, tightly tied to how the season shapes up and how the fruit is handled through the production process. For this reason most winery personnel have a close relation to the growing cycle, making them very "down to earth". They don't get caught up on small things, but are looking at the bigger picture. If this year doesn't shape up the way they want, there's always hope for next year. And vice versa, if this year was exceptional, most times they realize their luck and prepare for potential problems next year.

Working with these professionals makes my business a pleasure, and one I will stay in forever.