Job description
Area Sales Manager
Location: Remote, In territory
Territory: Buffalo/Syracuse, New York
Schedule: Monday-Friday
Our Area Sales Managers are the face of the rapidly growing team at Downeast Cider, the #1 hard cider in the Northeast and #2 hard cider in the country. Your mission will be to increase the sales and visibility of Downeast Cider with both our on-premise and off-premise retail partners in the Western Upstate. You’ll be spreading the good unfiltered word about our innovative portfolio of craft hard cider and beyond.
We’re committed to developing our people along with our brand. We invest in your success through a comprehensive onboarding program, regular ride-alongs with your manager and teammates, ongoing sales excellence training and a well-defined path to promotion. We’re on a journey to become the #1 hard cider in the US and there will be plenty of growth opportunities available as we continue to grow. If you’re competitive, persistent, reliable, and have a passion for craft cider, we want to hear from you!
Mission of the role:
The Sales Manager is accountable for the daily operations of the distribution sales team, including managing and motivating distributor partners, while translating sales strategy to the operational level.
What you’ll do:
Wholesaler Relationship Building - Build strong connections with our wholesaler partners and help guide our marketing plan for the year.
Account Execution - Manage a daily route of on- and off-premise accounts, ensuring product availability, shelf placement, and brand visibility are optimized according to Downeast standards.
Drive Sales - Drive volume, placements, and promotions through relationship-building, education, and merchandising excellence.
Analytical - Analyze sales data to identify opportunities and adjust tactics accordingly.
Organized -Disciplined with time balancing the wholesaler management responsibilities while still servicing accounts on a daily basis.
Who you are:
2-3 years of experience in managing wholesalers
Experience providing superior customer service
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Self starter who is motivated with strong organizational and time management skills
Able to adapt to shifting priorities and manage multiple responsibilities effectively
Valid driver’s license and vehicle
21 years of age or older to comply with federal and state regulations
Must reside in the same area as the covered territory
Comfortable with 1-2 overnights a month/4-5 overnights a quarter
Bonus points if you have…
Outside sales experience
Experience working in the alcohol / liquor / beer / wine industry
Comfortable using a CRM software
Proficient in Google Suite
We know not everyone checks every box. If you’re excited about this role and bring relevant skills or experiences, we encourage you to apply and tell us why this opportunity excites you. Drop the “to whom it may concern” and give it to us straight - why you?
What we offer:
Unlimited paid time off
Paid holidays
Variable compensation up to 40% of your base salary with quarterly bonus payouts
401k with 4% company match
Health & dental insurance
Company-provided short term disability
Mileage and expense reimbursement
Monthly phone stipend
Quarterly sales team training/retreats
Regular team contests with additional financial incentives
Earn your ticket to our annual “Elite Slinger’s Club” - this year we went to Mexico!
Company-wide celebrations, including a summer offsite and holiday party
Cider allowance (how big is your fridge?)
Base Pay Range:
$60,000-70,000 (Variable compensation up to 40% of your base salary with quarterly bonus payouts)
All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check, conducted after a conditional job offer has been made. Candidates will have the opportunity to review and respond to any findings.
About Downeast Cider
We aspire to build an enduring company with a world-class brand, known as an extraordinary place to work. It’s been 12 years since our first batches of unfiltered cider were fermented in the dorms of Bates College, Maine, and while we’ve gained 120 new teammates and 1.3 million cases of tasty drinks - with a growing assortment beyond cider - we remain 100% founder-owned. We’re a scrappy team that enjoys the hard work of creating a company because we get to work on fun things with people we like.
We like to hire the way we like our cider, unfiltered. With the understanding that we can learn and grow from each other’s differences, we are proud to hire regardless of gender, race, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, disability, age, or anything else that makes us who we are.
