Area Sales Manager | Western Chicagoland

Stateside Brands•Naperville, IL

1h•$71,500 - $93,500

About The Position

Stateside Brands is a rapidly growing spirits company producing premium beverages, including Surfside Iced Teas and Lemonades, Stateside Sodas, Super Lyte Sports Drinks, and Stateside Vodka. The Area Sales Manager performs outside sales and manages a targeted list of accounts in Naperville, Downers Grove, Aurora, Bowling Brook, Wheaton, and Lyle. The role focuses on increasing product sales and product-display placement across on- and off-premise accounts through upselling inventory, cooler space, and displays. The Area Sales Manager services customers safely and productively while increasing product distribution in accordance with company execution standards. The position reports to the State Manager and includes managing customer relationships, identifying account needs and sales opportunities, monitoring competitors, and meeting monthly sales and merchandising targets. It also involves maintaining product freshness and brand standards, supporting promotional events, and using consumer insights and industry trends to strengthen brand development and sales performance.

Requirements

At least 3 years of sales experience in the alcoholic beverage industry.
Valid U.S. driver's license.
Willingness to travel up to 90% and dependable transportation.
Must be at least 21 years of age.
Ability to lift and transport up to 35 pounds of inventory and/or advertising displays.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field.
Proven ability to build effective relationships with customers and internal associates.
Ability to take initiative and proactively identify customer issues, recommend solutions, and execute effectively to resolve them.
Military experience.

Responsibilities

Manage products and customer relationships at assigned accounts to support the sale of company products.
Determine current and ongoing product needs at accounts and identify ways to increase sales.
Monitor competitor activities, including new product launches and pricing strategies.
Meet monthly targets for sales, distribution, pricing, displays, onboarding new accounts, and other merchandising activities.
Protect the Stateside brand by rotating products properly, maintaining freshness, and following company standards.
Increase inventory diversity and volume at each account, improve in-store branding, and ensure fresh products are available.
Collaborate across the organization and share best practices.
Contribute to and lead among the peer group.
Maintain relationships with customer contacts at assigned accounts.
Coordinate and support promotional events, including samplings, retailer events, and festivals, to build brand awareness and consumer engagement.
Support brand development by using consumer insights and industry trends to educate clients, address challenges, and optimize sales performance.
Perform outside sales functions.
Perform other tasks as assigned.