Sales Representative - Central Coast/S. CA

Harv 81 US•Benicia, CA

About The Position

Harv 81 Group is seeking a motivated, energetic, relationship-driven Sales Representative to support its Tonnellerie O and Creative Oak businesses, with a primary focus on expanding Creative Oak in the U.S. wine industry across the Central Coast and Southern California. This hands-on, customer-facing role focuses on generating new Creative Oak business and growing existing customer relationships. The representative will visit wineries, introduce products, coordinate samples and customer trials, and follow up to convert opportunities into long-term business. Success is measured through sales activity and commercial results, including qualified winery prospects, customer meetings and visits, samples and trials initiated, evaluations completed, trial-to-order conversion, new customer acquisition, repeat orders and retention, territory revenue and gross margin growth, and cross-selling. Specific performance targets will be set based on territory potential, experience, and business objectives. The role receives ongoing support from the VP of Sales, regional Tonnellerie O / Creative Oak area directors and leadership, the Creative Oak technical team, Marketing, and Sales Operations. The position is intended to develop future sales talent, with opportunities for greater account responsibility and an increasingly independent sales role as product knowledge, customer relationships, and territory results grow.

Requirements

Associate degree in Viticulture & Enology, Winery Technology, Wine Business, Business, Marketing, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience in the wine industry, hospitality, or sales.
Strong interest in the wine industry, winemaking, and sales.
Excellent communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.
Self-motivated and organized, with the ability to work independently in the field.
Ability to manage multiple customer opportunities and follow through on commitments.
Willingness to learn technical product information and communicate it effectively.
Comfort using CRM systems and basic Microsoft Office applications.
Valid driver's license and ability to travel regularly throughout the assigned territory.
Ability to travel and drive regularly to customer sites; travel may account for 50–75% of the workweek, with occasional weekend work and overnight stays.
Ability to meet the stated physical demands, including lifting and carrying samples or materials weighing up to 40–50 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
Wine education or certifications, such as WSET Level 2 or higher or Certified Specialist of Wine.
1–3 years of sales, winery, hospitality, cellar, or wine industry experience.
Familiarity with winemaking processes, oak barrels, oak alternatives, or cellar operations.
Existing relationships within the wine industry.
Experience conducting product demonstrations, tastings, or customer trials.

Responsibilities

Identify and pursue new Creative Oak business opportunities throughout the assigned territory.
Prospect wineries, winemakers, and production teams to introduce Creative Oak products and solutions.
Schedule and conduct customer visits, product introductions, and follow-up meetings.
Develop relationships with winemakers, cellar teams, purchasing managers, and winery ownership.
Work with existing Tonnellerie O and Harv 81 sales representatives to identify cross-selling opportunities.
Build and maintain a pipeline of qualified prospects and convert them into purchasing customers.
Introduce Creative Oak products through customer sample kits and product demonstrations.
Coordinate customized winery trials with the Creative Oak technical team.
Understand customers’ wine styles, desired results, and current oak programs.
Schedule follow-up tastings and evaluations to review trial results.
Track samples, trials, customer feedback, and next steps in CRM.
Work with technical specialists to recommend appropriate products and commercial applications.
Convert successful trials into first orders and develop repeat business.
Help organize and participate in winemaker tastings, educational workshops, regional sales events, and targeted winery events.
Attend relevant trade shows, industry networking events, and customer functions.
Support regional Creative Oak roadshows and coordinated winery visits.
Follow up with event attendees to develop qualified sales opportunities.
Maintain consistent communication with existing and prospective customers and provide timely follow-up on samples, quotations, trials, and open opportunities.
Partner with Customer Service, Operations, and the technical team to ensure a positive customer experience.
Identify opportunities to expand Creative Oak usage within existing winery accounts and support customer retention and repeat purchasing.
Maintain accurate customer information, sales activities, and opportunities in CRM.
Track samples distributed, trials initiated, tastings completed, and orders generated.
Provide regular updates on pipeline activity, customer feedback, competitive information, and market opportunities.
Work toward established sales activity, revenue, and growth targets.
Participate in regular sales meetings, product training, and coaching sessions.
Comply with applicable Food Safety and MRP rules, regulations, policies, and procedures, and perform other duties as assigned.