General Manager Northeast

THE BARDSTOWN BOURBON COMPANY LLC•Bardstown, KY

1d•$135,000 - $165,000•Remote

About The Position

As the General Manager for the Northeast region, your primary objective is to effectively execute the strategic plan by expanding sales within the designated territory. You will lead efforts to develop personnel, foster growth, and strengthen enduring, mutually beneficial partnerships with our accounts and distributors, all while exemplifying the core values of trust, team, accomplishment, fun, and agility. Your responsibilities include direct sales management for both Bardstown Bourbon Company and Green River Bourbon. Daily activities should support distributor engagement and communication, maintain open dialogue with key partners across your region, including business development managers in each area, along with prominent on-premise and off-premise accounts. You are tasked with acquiring new business within existing and new accounts and collaborating closely with the distributor network to sustain and expand all accounts. As the chief representative of the brand throughout the Northeast, you will execute marketing strategies, including 'pull” tactics, and organize trade and consumer-focused events. The Northeast region comprises New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and the North-Northeast Control States, which include Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. The ideal candidate will reside in either New York, Massachusetts, or Connecticut, as these locations are central to the territory.

Requirements

Must have reliable transportation.
Must have a valid driver's license.
Ability to drive to and from accounts continuously.
Ability to work nights and weekends and, at times, more than 40 hours a week.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
Must currently reside in the assigned territory.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in sales positions; prior alcoholic beverage sales experience preferred.
Prior experience in sales management within both “Control States” and “Open States”.
Strong ties and established relationships in the beverage community in the assigned region.
Strong oral communication skills: ability to talk to others to convey information effectively; strong written communication skills.
Customer Service - Going above and beyond what the customer expects
Trade knowledge - Understanding the retail and on-premise buyer mindset - experience buying or bartending is a plus.
Knowledge of, and passion for, Bourbon, Whiskey, Spirits
Excellent time management skills: ability to be proactive and take initiative.
Excellent organization and coordination skills – managing priorities and routine functions effectively and efficiently.
Empathy- Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Teamwork – Ability to flex the scope of responsibility and do whatever needs to be done, regardless of job description
Transparency – Ability to communicate with teammates and freely exchange ideas and thoughts without ego or pretense
Proficiency with personal computers/laptops and associated programs (Windows, Microsoft Office suite).
Business Acumen -Ability to collect, assess, and interpret relevant information and make sound decisions.
A College Degree from an accredited University, preferred.

Responsibilities

Achieve region-specific goals for volume, profitability, distribution, and velocity of branded products.
Direct and coordinate with representation to actively seek new on-premise and off-premise distribution in your designated region.
Develop and maintain strong, positive relationships with retailers and distributors.
Present the annual brand plan along with supporting programming to distributor partners. Reinforce this through regular interactions, general sales meetings (GSMs), and relevant touchpoints like focus days and trade shows.
Engage existing key accounts to secure new distribution, deliver timely presentations, and introduce new and "limited release" bourbons.
Work with the National Chain Team to ensure authorizations and mandates are fulfilled locally as needed.
Execute both on-premise and off-premise promotions, along with periodic special events like Bourbon Dinners, whiskey festivals, and account-level activations that boost brand awareness and encourage consumer sampling.
Train accounts, distributors, and consumers on our products, and promote the story of both Lofted Spirits’ brands.
Travel to and leverage the distillery's assets to strengthen brand and product knowledge among our commercial partners.
Oversee and implement our Single Barrel programs at the local level to create a positive impact in the market by rewarding our key supporters.
Attend market blitzes, ride-withs, and sales meetings to ensure distributor partners are accountable for executing and meeting the sales plan.
Complete all required administrative reporting and communications promptly, on a daily and weekly schedule.
Maintain all sales goals and personal budgets outlined to you and your territory.
Oversee the distribution and deployment of all merchandise and POS from the distilleries for events, accounts, and distributor staff.
Late night and weekend account visits and event attendance as needed
Maintain records of sales calls, account information, and key personnel in Karma, ViP, and SalesForce.
Build selling stories for distributors and retailers using localized data to uncover new opportunities for brand development.
Other duties as periodically assigned.