District Manager - Wine & Spirits

Columbia Distributing • Kent, WA

8d

About The Position

The District Manager oversees the execution of sales goals in their territory and provides guidance and supervision to Sales Representatives and Sales Associates. The role executes business objectives and company initiatives, manages inventory expenses, trains and supervises employees, and develops customer relationships and retail promotions. The District Manager sells, rotates, and merchandises the Columbia Distributing portfolio in assigned accounts, manages promotions and distributions, and works to grow core brand distribution. The position also monitors industry and competitive activity, completes required reporting, and travels throughout the day to visit customer accounts.

This is a full-time outside sales exempt position. Work takes place indoors and outdoors, with frequent walking in customer accounts and driving required. Workdays and hours vary and may include weekends. The role may manage Sales Representatives, Sales Associates, and sometimes Sales Support personnel.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Valid driver's license and auto insurance; position is subject to the Fleet Safety Policy.
• Minimum age of 21.
• Strong sense of accountability.
• Ability to develop and motivate staff to achieve their potential.
• General knowledge of industry products.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Effective organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to develop strong relationships with internal and external customers.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite.
• Experience with an AS400 system.
• Ability to travel throughout the day for customer-account visits.
• Ability to drive and meet the physical demands of the role, including lifting/carrying and pushing/pulling up to 75 pounds.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's or advanced degree.
• Minimum of five years of previous beverage industry sales experience.
• Minimum of three years of previous sales management experience.

Responsibilities

• Accomplish sales and distribution goals by executing monthly, quarterly, and annual business objectives and company initiatives.
• Manage inventory expenses in accordance with company policy.
• Administer, educate, and train employees to ensure execution of company goals and priorities.
• Interact respectfully and maintain dialogue with inter-company departments, suppliers, and customers.
• Maintain thorough knowledge of decision makers in each account.
• Provide sales-team reports and numbers, and maintain a monthly ride-along calendar.
• Submit required reporting, preplans, trackers, surveys, market surveys (MVPs), expense reports, mileage logs, and other documentation.
• Create reset opportunities and develop retail promotions appropriate to the customer base.
• Sell, rotate, and merchandise the Columbia Distributing portfolio in assigned accounts.
• Manage promotions and distributions in assigned accounts monthly as required.
• Grow net core brand distribution over baseline throughout the year.
• Maintain industry knowledge, including beer, non-alcoholic products, food journals, trends, and market share.
• Monitor competitive activity and communicate strategies.
• Recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate department staff.
• Ensure minimum visibility in all accounts is equal to or greater than competition.
• Meet minimum MVP standards in 80% of accounts surveyed and above-MVP standards in 20% of accounts surveyed.
• Travel throughout the day to visit customer accounts.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance for employees and their families.
• Company 401(k) plan.
• 80 hours of vacation each year.
• 7–8 days of paid holidays throughout the calendar year, depending on location.
• May be eligible for incentives, bonuses, or annual bonuses.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: High school or GED