Opici Wine and Spirits, a family-owned business in wine and spirits for over 100 years, is currently seeking State Area Manager – Connecticut. This is an Excellent Opportunity to join Our Team and be a part of The OPICI VISION: To create extraordinary experiences through superior products and service from our family to yours.
POSITION SUMMARY: Opici Wines & Spirits is a fourth-generation importer and producer with family roots in the wine business dating back to 1913. Today, the company is managed by Don Opici and features more than 50 brands from 10 countries.
OPEN POSITIONS:
This position is tasked with growing the Opici Wines & Spirits portfolio by maintaining existing customers, identifying, and recruiting new customers, regional accounts, increasing product placements, identifying new target accounts, and building and enhancing brand equity in the market.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Promote and sell all Opici Wines & Spirits brands to meet and/or exceed company sales quotas, while also identifying sources of new business opportunities.
- Maintain existing accounts within distributor network.
- Schedules and leads effective wholesaler sales meetings involving all levels of management; coordinates monthly meetings with wholesaler sales teams.
- Work directly with Director of Sales and Marketing teams.
- Establish, and maintain a long-term growth strategy with key wholesale and/or distributor contacts.
- Increase market share via targeting and opening new accounts, as well as increasing sales to existing accounts.
- Be an active member of the wine community through frequent and positive interaction with key buyers through account calls, event participation, and social media engagement.
- Work several nights per week and some weekends visiting on premise accounts to make presentations and secure placements.
- Work independently in the market building on already established account relationships while forming and nurturing new relationships in both the on premise and off premise channel of trade.
- Manage point of sale (POS) and marketing materials needed for accounts, orders sales tools to ensure a timely and effective market execution.
- Educate distributors and accounts on products as well as merchandising standards.
- Conduct wine tastings, participate in trade shows and consumer wine events with, and/or independent of, our distributor network.
- Provide updates on sales accomplishments, successes, and market activities
- Must maintain an acceptable driving record.
- Employee must comply with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations which govern the alcoholic beverage industry and always maintain the highest ethical business standards and fiduciary duty on behalf of the company, as well as our customers.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree with emphasis in Sales and Marketing, Business Administration, or related field strongly preferred.
- 3 to 5 years of wine industry experience as a supplier and/or distributor representative with a proven track record in sales.
- Ability to understand and apply market intelligence, including, but not limited to IRI, Nielsen, et al to execute outlined sales strategy; read, evaluate, and comprehend sales and marketing reports, analysis, and trends.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Proficient in developing and managing fiscally sound pricing strategies
- Excellent PC skills in MS Office Suite, including Outlook, Power Point, Excel, and Word.
- Possess valid driver’s license (with an acceptable driving record), auto insurance and vehicle.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS: Expense allowances, Eligible for Health and Welfare Package and 401k (with Company Match). Holidays and Paid Time Off.