Sales Representative - Wine & Spirits

Empire Merchants North • Town of Coxsackie, NY

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Empire Merchants North is seeking a highly motivated Sales Representative for the Mid-Hudson Valley region, specifically covering Ulster and Dutchess Counties. The Sales Representatives are responsible for maximizing the sales of supplier brands to the trade and consumer through effective territory planning, selling, merchandising, and communication to achieve company and supplier objectives. This role involves daily account calls, territory analysis, professional sales presentations, and maintaining strong customer relationships.

Requirements

• Valid driver's license and ability to drive a company vehicle or personal vehicle.
• Ability to lift and move product.
• Proficiency in electronic tools such as Diver and Liquid.
• Familiarity with wine and spirits products and the beverage alcohol industry.
• Ability to work independently and manage time effectively.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to build and maintain positive customer relationships.
• Understanding of sales principles and merchandising techniques.
• Ability to adhere to all federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations.
• Willingness to attend training and educational classes.
• Ability to travel within the assigned territory (Ulster and Dutchess Counties).

Nice To Haves

• Experience in wine and spirits sales.
• WSET industry certifications.
• Existing relationships with retailers, restaurants, bars, hotels, and nightclubs in the Mid-Hudson Valley region.

Responsibilities

• Plan and prepare daily activities to ensure achievement of company and supplier volume, distribution, and merchandising objectives.
• Call on assigned accounts daily, following an efficient route and maintaining up-to-date route sheets.
• Develop positive customer relations with account owners, managers, and employees.
• Analyze territory and accounts to identify priority selling and merchandising opportunities.
• Prepare and present professional sales presentations tailored to current supplier programs and customer needs.
• Interact with ADS', Supplier Representatives, and Promotional Agency Representatives.
• Deliver effective sales presentations to achieve company and supplier objectives.
• Attend mandatory Company and/or Supplier sponsored training, including wine education classes.
• Stay up-to-date on company and competitive brand pricing, features, and benefits.
• Follow Sales Skills and Fundamentals Training principles (Prepare, Present Effectively, and Activate your business).
• Present the portfolio and current programs to increase sales and generate maximum revenue and case volume.
• Maintain and use monthly pitch or program books, tasting notes, sell sheets, and supplier information.
• Obtain appropriate off-premise distribution of supplier brands, types, and sizes, and achieve maximum sell-through by conducting staff trainings and meeting supplier shelf standards.
• Gain feature price, promotion, and display merchandising support from off-premise accounts.
• Obtain appropriate on-premise distribution of supplier brands, types, and sizes.
• Gain wine list presence, execute wines-by-the-glass, conduct wait-staff trainings, and gain back bar distribution.
• Request permanent P.O.S. materials for accounts to ensure brand visibility.
• Work with supplier representatives and company managers for accompanied workdays to train and teach advanced selling skills.
• Know account needs and opportunities for each supplier work-with.
• Represent products, the company, and suppliers positively and professionally.
• Install point-of-sale material within accounts and coordinate with merchandisers.
• Suggest shelf/cold box resets that achieve supplier and company standards.
• Ensure proper rotation of products in accordance with State and Federal law.
• Organize and conduct in-store consumer wine and spirit tastings.
• Keep current on stock status and notify accounts accordingly.
• Maintain territory and account records in accordance with company policy.
• Be proficient in electronic tools such as Diver and Liquid.
• Keep management informed daily on all aspects of their territory and turn in accurate recaps.
• Submit sales reports and performance goals to management as requested.
• Collect wine lists, cocktail lists, and cordial lists in all accounts.
• Maintain adequate, well-organized inventories of P.O.S., sales tools, supplies, and merchandising materials.
• Attend and actively participate in sales meetings.
• Obtain and submit a signed and notarized credit application for all new accounts.
• Determine account classification with Field Sales Manager.
• Obtain levels of distribution for on and/or off premises accounts.
• Obtain sales tax certificate.
• Ensure accuracy of all reports and surveys submitted; no falsification.
• Understand and adhere to all federal, state, local laws, rules, and regulations.

Benefits

• 100% Commission-based pay, paid weekly.
• Eligible for sales incentives.
• Paid Holidays.
• Health and Welfare Plan (medical, dental, vision, disability coverage, life insurance via Union benefits).
• 401K plan.
• PTO.
• Vacation accrual.
• Flexible Spending Account.
• Industry certifications (WSET).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed