Title: General Manager Southeast
Function: Brand Sales & Marketing
Experience Level: Mid-Level
Compensation: Salary and Bonus
Reports To: Division Vice President East
Location: Remote / Home-Based (Ideal Candidate will reside in Florida)
Company Overview
No secrets. No myths. No fabricated stories.
Bardstown Bourbon Company is a new blend of bourbon makers, creating the next industry standard through unparalleled transparency, collaboration, and innovation.
At Bardstown Bourbon Company, we have been honored with the prestigious accolade of ‘Worldwide Whiskey Producer of the Year 2023’ by the esteemed International Wine and Spirits Competition.
With the country's most technically advanced and sophisticated distillery, our pledge of transparency is on full display through open spaces and clear glass, putting the art and science of whiskey-making front and center for all to see. In the heart of the Bourbon Capital of the WorldTM, Bardstown Bourbon Co. produces not only our own award-winning and highly sought-after blended bourbons, ryes, and finished whiskies but custom distills and ages whiskies for many brands, from start-up pours to established top shelves.
We are the premiere destination on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®, combining distilling, culinary, and beverage expertise to create a modern, authentic experience that will engage and delight the bourbon novice and the most sophisticated aficionado.
We acquired Green River Distilling as part of our ever-expanding portfolio. Located in Owensboro, Kentucky, Green River Distilling is the 10th oldest distillery in the state, producing more than 90,000 barrels of bourbon and rye for its own brands and partners. They produce the flagship Green River Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, which started in 1885 and was re-launched in February 2022.
At Bardstown Bourbon Company, see how we are moving the industry forward and how we NEVER STAND STILL. For more information, please visit www.bardstownbourbon.com and www.greenriverdistilling.com
Job Summary
As the General Manager Southeast, your primary goal is to establish and expand sales in the assigned geography. You will also be responsible for creating long-lasting and mutually beneficial partnerships with our accounts and distributors while representing the integrity, values, and brand of the Bardstown Bourbon Company.
Your role includes direct sales responsibility for both Bardstown Bourbon Company and Green River Bourbon products in key on-premise and off-premise accounts. You will be expected to secure new business in existing and new accounts and work closely with the distributor network in the assigned area to maintain and develop all accounts.
As the brand's voice across the assigned geography, you will execute marketing “pull” tactics, merchandise key accounts, and host trade and consumer-focused events.
The Southeast full geography includes Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. The ideal candidate will reside in the state of Florida, which is at the heart of the territory.
Key Responsibilities:
Specifically, the responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to, the following activities:
- Achieve market-specific goals for volume and profitability as well as distribution and velocity of branded products in the assigned region.
- Aggressively pursue new on-premise & off-premise distribution in your assigned region.
- Develop and maintain strong, positive relationships with retailers and distributors.
- Present annual brand plan as well as supporting programming to distributor partners, and reinforce through routine interactions, general sales meetings (GSMs), and appropriate touchpoints such as focus days, rallies, and trade shows.
- Call on existing key accounts to secure new distribution, make timely presentations, and introduce new and "limited release" bourbons.
- Collaborate with the National Chain Team to ensure authorizations and mandates are fulfilled locally as applicable.
- Execute on-premise and off-premise promotions and periodic special events such as Bourbon Dinners, whiskey festivals, and account-level activations that generate brand awareness and consumer sampling.
- Train accounts, distributors, and consumers on our products and promote the story of the Bardstown Bourbon Company and Green River Distilling Co.
- Travel to and utilize the assets of the distillery to engrain brand and product knowledge in our commercial partners.
- Manage and execute our Single Barrel programs locally to deliver positive market impact.
- Participate in market blitzes, ride-withs, and general sales meetings to hold distributor partners accountable for the execution and achievement of the sales plan.
- Complete necessary administrative reporting and communications on a timely basis, daily and weekly.
- Maintain all sales goals and personal budgets outlined to you and your territory.
- Manage provision and deployment of all merchandise/POS from the distilleries for events, accounts, and distributor personnel.
- Late night and weekend account visits and event attendance as needed
- Assist CCO with the selection and establishment of new distributor relationships as the territory grows
- Maintain records of sales calls, account information, and key personnel in SalesForce, VIP, and Karma.
- Build selling stories for distributors and retailers using localized data to uncover new opportunities for brand development.
- Other duties as periodically assigned.
Desired Qualifications:
- Prior experience in sales position; prior alcoholic beverage sales experience preferred.
- The desirable candidate has 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.
Job Requirements:
It is required for the position you must have a reliable car that is registered and insured, a valid driver's license, the ability to drive to and from accounts continuously, the ability to work nights and weekends and, at times, more than 40 hours a week, ability to lift up to 50 pounds and that you must currently reside in the assigned territory.
Sales Specific Offerings
As part of our onboarding process, all new Sales team members will have full-immersion learning/training experience at various sites across our portfolio including our historical facilities in Owensboro and state-of-the-art distillery in Bardstown. In addition to a base salary, our Sales team members participate in our unique Sales Incentive Program, which maintains our culture of results-focused personal management and continuous learning & development. We offer mileage and other job-related transportation expense reimbursements, a monthly budget toward account visits and sampling, and a culture of work-life balance.
The Bardstown Bourbon Company is committed to equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment. It is the policy of The Bardstown Bourbon Company to provide full and equal employment opportunities to all employees and potential employees, without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, veteran status, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disability or any other legally protected status.
