District Sales Manager
Great Brands – Bigger Purpose
As a Certified B Corporation, Bonterra Organic Estates (formerly Fetzer Vineyards) is focused on excellence, innovation and longstanding commitments to the environment and responsible business practices. We are proud to offer exciting career opportunities within our California-based winery, Bonterra Organic Estates, and our distribution and commercial operations, Viña Concha y Toro USA (VCT-USA).
Cultivate Your Resume and Career With Us
Part of fifth largest global winery Viña Concha y Toro (35 million cases)
#1 South American wine supplier in the U.S.
Bonterra Organic Estates is the largest Regenerative Organic Certified® winery in the U.S.
Sell highly-awarded wines. To name a few in our VCT-USA portfolio:
Don Melchor 3x Wine Spectator Top 10; 9x Top 100
Bonterra 29x Wine & Spirits Top 100 wines
Bonterra Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Collection - Best in Class 2024 San Francisco Wine Competition
Casillero del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon is the #1 Premium Import Cabernet Sauvignon
Trivento Reserve Malbec is #2 in the US and the fastest growing (+31%) among the top 10 brands
1000 Stories, California's original Bourbon barrel-aged wine
We are looking for a District Manager to grow the business throughout the Illinois market, with primary focus in the Chicagoland area. The primary focus will be Chicagoland (85%) and Downstate IL (15%). We continue to innovate and introduce new brands to the market and identify opportunities for our iconic Origins Collection, featuring luxury brands from three distinct origins—California, Chile and Argentina. You will be responsible for the daily management of our wine brands in the distributor network and key accounts in the above listed geographic area with the key mission of building enthusiasm for our world class wines. Approximately 60% of time will be spent on core brands such as Bonterra, Casillero del Diablo, Diablo, Trivento Reserve, and 1000 Stories. The other 40% will be devoted to our luxury portfolio. This luxury portfolio includes Don Melchor, the iconic South American Cabernet Sauvignon; Argentina’s Trivento Eolo Malbec; and Bonterra Organic Estates’ single vineyard estate collection—The McNab, The Roost and The Butler—from Mendocino County, California.
The District Manager is held accountable for customer interaction in both the off and on premise channels, as directed by the Regional Manager, Illinois. You will work independently and collaboratively with distributor personnel and key members of our sales and marketing team as well as build direct relationships with customers cultivating excellence within this group.
This is a remote role with the ideal candidate located within close proximity to Chicago, Illinois. This role entails driving within the field in order visit accounts, do workwiths and attend distributor meetings. Overnight travel will be approximately 10-20%.
Essential Responsibilities
Planning and Execution: Customer First
Develop target account lists by channel, working in conjunction with our distributor partner
Develop short-term business plan and targets in alignment with the annual plan
Manage tactics and field marketing associated with meeting the sales plan
Identify key account target lists and work individually and with key distributor personnel to achieve targets
Track and communicate active programs based on targeted goals with the distributor partners/teams; address status and any gaps
Conduct workwiths focusing on “high gain” opportunities within assigned market
Recap field activities and share with distributor and regional manager
Facilitate and lead consumer-facing events within on and off premise accounts
Responsible for monthly/quarterly fine wine consumer-facing events
Spearhead fine wine dinners and tastings between key on and off premise accounts
Serve as an educator for distributor and key accounts and be known for expertise of the luxury portfolio
Travel to service accounts or multiple markets
Expectation is fully account driven and in the field 90% of the time (i.e., 4 of 5 days per week)
Distributor Engagement
Sales Reps
District Managers
Field Sales Managers
Monitoring and Measuring
Measured by KPI report aligned with both qualitative and quantitative results including but not limited to:
Sales
Customer interaction/visits
Selling events
Team Development and Communications
Cultivate cross-departmental relationships within the company to carry out Bonterra Organic Estates brand strategies
Foster a harmonious and productive workplace and assist in conflict resolution procedures if required
Participate in creating a culture of teamwork with internal and external stakeholders
Positively contribute to the achievement of individual and team objectives and goals
Through regular meetings, contribute to the constant evaluation, development and improvement of all procedures relating to distributor interface
Must Requirements
Bachelor’s Degree – Business/Marketing or related field from an accredited college with a minimum two to three years sales-related experience from supplier or distributor, or equivalent education/experience combination
Practical selling experience in food and/or beverage industry
Knowledge of the three-tier system for beverage alcohol desired
Proven success in wine/adult beverage industry sales and key account management experience including on/off premise accounts. Experience with ultra-premium/high end/fine wine—import, domestic and/or, biodynamic—highly desirable
Strong verbal and written communicator who can articulate clear images and messages through words, public speaking and presentation skills
Excellent interpersonal skills with the highest level of integrity
Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 products including Word, PowerPoint and Excel
Valid Driver’s License, vehicle and insurance required. Overnight travel, weekend and evening work as required
Travel throughout region required
Preferred Requirements
Experience with fine wine/luxury brands, a definite plus
A background in selling within the on premise channel desired
Wine education or certification (WSET or SWE preferred)
Physical Requirements
Ability to lift up to 40 lbs. on a frequent basis, carry up to 40 lbs. & push and pull up to 20 lbs. on an occasional basis; ability to sit and work at a desk for long periods of time; requires ability to walk and stand; reach outward and upward, climb, crawl, squat, kneel, and bend; requires hand and finger dexterity for keyboarding and working at computer for extended periods of time. Additional physical requirements required as related to domestic/international travel via air and ground transportation.
Location
This is a remote role with the ideal candidate located within close proximity to Chicago, Illinois. This role entails driving within the field in order visit accounts, do workwiths and attend distributor meetings. Overnight travel will be approximately 10-20%.
Compensation
Compensation for this role includes a base salary target of $85,000 to $100,000, a 20% annual incentive target that aligns with individual and company performance, and transportation-related benefits. Actual rates will vary and are based on a candidate’s relevant education, qualifications, experience, skillset, competencies, internal equity, location and alignment with market data.
Benefits
First day Medical, Dental, Vision, Life & Disability, Tax Savings (401k with company match), Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account benefits available to eligible employees. In addition, we offer employee-focused health, wellness, training and safety-related programs as well as scholarship opportunities for dependents.
About Bonterra Organic Estates
Part of the Viña Concha y Toro family of wineries since 2011, our California winery operation includes Mendocino County winery, production and approximately 830 acres of vineyard locations. The company employs nearly 230 across the United States.
To Apply https://recruiting2.ultipro.com/FET1003FETZ/JobBoard/c6d65af3-319c-4d5a-8905-6818e98b821b
Requires successful completion of criminal background, DMV check and drug screen. AA/EOE/M/F/D/V You will be required to submit verification of your citizenship or legal right to work in the U.S.at the time of an offer of employment.
See our privacy policy online: https://www.bonterra.com/privacy-policy
Employee Rights under FMLA:
https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/legacy/files/fmlaen.pdf
https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/legacy/files/fmlasp.pdf
Experience
Required
2 - 3 years: adult beverage sales
Preferred
1 - 3 years: key account sales in on and off premise channels
1 - 3 years: luxury/fine wine sales experience
Education
Preferred
Bachelor's Degree or better
Licenses & Certifications
Required
Driver's License
Preferred
Master of Wine
Wine Spirits Edu Trust
Cert Wine Educator
Cert Specialist of Wine
Skills
Preferred
Intermediate/Advanced Excel
PowerPoint
Behaviors
Required
Dedicated: Devoted to a task or purpose with loyalty or integrity
Team Player: Works well as a member of a group
Preferred
Detail Oriented: Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well
Motivations
Required
Goal Completion: Inspired to perform well by the completion of tasks