District Manager - Kentucky/West Virginia

Title: District Manager – Kentucky & West Virginia

Desired Location: Lexington, Louisville KY

We are hiring! Geloso Beverage Group is ready to add a hard-working, dedicated new member to our growing team. We are seeking a self-motivated and forward-thinking team player to fill our District Manager – Kentucky & West Virginia.

Since 1957, the Geloso story is a tale of passion and product expansion. This 2nd generation privately- owned family company has thrived through investments in Research & Development, the manufacturing and distribution of alcoholic and low-alcoholic beverages. After establishing its first location in Quebec, Geloso has expanded its business into other Canadian provinces and the United States.

Geloso is one of the largest Beer & Malt Beverage Companies in the U.S.A. and G.B.G. is one of the largest suppliers in Convenience Store Channel. Based in Rochester, NY, since 2002, Geloso distributes multiple flavored malt beverages, including Clubtails “Cocktail in a Can” and Johny Bootlegger. These beverages can be found nationwide, in most convenience, grocery, and liquor stores.

Geloso is a TOP 100 Beverage Company in the USA, recipient of 3 Hot Brand Award for Johny Bootlegger & 4 Hot Brand Award for Clubtails.

Position Summary

The District Manager works with area distributors to develop and build our brands within the designated territory. This position requires 40% overnight travel and encompasses the states of Kentucky and West Virginia with occasional visits to neighboring territories. The desired location of residence is Lexington or Louisville Kentucky. 

Overarching Roles

·       Manage & Increase brand visibility and sales.

·       Strong leadership and representative of Geloso Beverage portfolio brands at all times.

Primary Roles

·       Establish and build distribution of our brands by working with distributor network.

·       Support Distributor in proper account merchandising and maintenance.

·       Conduct Distributor ride-withs on a regular basis (weekly) to ensure programs and priorities are on track, and to help identify new opportunities.

·       Target and track new accounts and product placements.

·       Work with distributors in developing effective market plans and incentives.

·       Tracking and reporting all work successes on a weekly basis.

·       Work under the direction of the Regional Sales Manager to meet monthly and quarterly sales goals.

·       Report monthly depletion reports to Regional Sales Manager as required.

·       Maintain and build strong rapport with distributor personnel.

Account Management                                                                                                 

·       Sell new and expanded distribution to both off-premise and on-premise accounts.

·       Build and maintain strong relationships with the owners & managers of the top accounts within the area of responsibility.

·       Support training and development initiatives for wholesalers and with key accounts.

·       Prioritize existing accounts and deploy resources (materials, budgets) to achieve set Geloso Beverage market goals.

·       Identify market specific business development opportunities.

Expectation Indicators

·       Understand how to use Vermont Information Processing (VIP) to track and manage all key sales leads.

·       Understand and explain national data trends with the use of Nielsen/IRI.

·     Provide market insight and recommendations against the target account list and update as needed with new account openings, new opportunities, etc.

·       Competitive tracking: report on competitive activity and watch for market trends.

·     Present to and engage distributor sales personnel at distributor sales meetings, while sharing upcoming priorities, events, and brand initiatives.

·    In market work: 4 days per week with distributor personnel or working off a Lilypad target account list.

·       Execute all aspects of sales plan with wholesaler network. Execute brand plans and programming by working with Geloso Bev Regional Manager and primary contact at the distributor.

·       Responsible for tracking and reporting on-going and consistent market conditions through Lilypad and iDIG VIP.

·       Weekly retail/market recap of execution and performance, providing manager feedback on market using Lilypad and iDIG VIP.

·       Work with teammates on a regular basis in the field. Provide best practice sharing and coordinate in market execution/activation drives against key market/account initiatives, new item launches and/or distribution drives.

·       Responsible for brand execution at the market level. Brand standards to include pricing, shelf placement, cold box placement, and display placement.

·       Keep abreast of competitive trends and report appropriate developments.

·       Responsible for management of own operating and T&E expenses within company guidelines

·       16 days (80% of time) ensuring retail execution, surveying (with key personnel of the wholesaler), evaluating distribution, display and ad feature execution.

·       4 full days (20% of time) managing all administrative requirements due on a monthly basis (distribution tracking, program execution tracking and performance management) as well as all local initiatives.

Desired Skills and Experience

The candidate must have:

·       Minimum of 1-5 years’ experience in sales & marketing in a related beer business or alcoholic beverage industry.

·       Proven ability to manage distant and high-level relationships with distributor leadership and key retailers in multiple markets.

·       Proven track record of success.

·       Knowledge of local beer market.

·       Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Web-based reporting tools.

·       Knowledge of and experience with Vermont Information Processing (VIP) a plus.

·       Clean driving record and proof of automotive insurance.

·       Ability to travel as necessary.

·       Position contingent upon successful completion of background check, drug screen, and physical.

Communication skills

·       Excellent interpersonal skills, diplomatic, persuasive, strong negotiating skills.

·       Strong written, verbal, and public speaking skills.

Results

Focus/Teamwork

·       Hands-on approach with can-do attitude; problem solving; resourceful; ensure constructive accountability for actions; collaborative but decisive.