Area Sales Representative

Description

Sapporo brewed the first beer of Japan in 1876. It’s now the number one selling Asian beer brand in the U.S. thanks to its best-selling Sapporo Premium. Sapporo acquired Stone Brewing in 2022 to brew all of Sapporo’s beer for the U.S. market. Stone Brewing, established in 1996, pioneered the West Coast Style IPA helping to fuel the modern craft beer revolution.

Now one company, Sapporo-Stone Brewing is among the 15 largest breweries in the U.S. and operates production facilities in Escondido, CA and Richmond, VA plus seven Stone Brewing taproom and bistro locations. We’ve enjoyed a rich history following our passion and are in search of people who take great pride in building our legacy for the future.

The Area Sales Representative supports the Austin/San Antonio markets by engaging in sales and relationship building with existing and potential accounts. The Area Sales Representative works under the guidance of the Regional Sales Manager to meet both Sapporo and Stone Brewing sales goals. This role also ensures our portfolio of beers are held in the highest level of confidence by building relationships and trust with key decision makers and influencers within the local market.

The Area Sales Representative will focus on the Austin and San Antonio markets.

This position is based in Austin, TX - please only submit an application if you are currently located in this area or planning to relocate to this area.

• Manage weekly sales route, visiting an average of 50-55 retail accounts per week
• Prospect and secure new business by determining focus areas within designated territory, setting up presentations and utilizing stop‑by techniques
• Develop and share a monthly route plan and recap to Regional Sales Manager
• Introduce accounts to our existing and new beers, brands, packages, and draft
• Drive accurate execution of programs by distributor personnel
• Build and sustain quality relationships with the key distribution and decision makers in the retail accounts to enhance our sales capabilities and drivers
• Ensure company standards and quality control are met in both the on/off premise channels
• Deliver the target volumes and distribution goals as stated in the specific region plan and documented through our KPIs
• Set up and execute in-store promotions and special events as needed
• Oversee execution of all marketing programs within retail accounts
• Manage chain execution (distribution/promotions/programming) with assigned accounts
• Place point of sale (POS) items in retail accounts as directed
• Audit accounts for pricing surveys to document price points on the shelf for portfolio
• Identify and establish new relationships with target accounts through persuasive and effective selling techniques
• Communicate daily with management team to ensure issues are resolved in a timely basis
• Maintain self‑education on all our beer brands, the local market, and the beer industry in general
• Participate in sales meetings, training sessions, shows, and events at the customer and distributor level as it pertains to assigned industry segment
• Send weekly recaps to distributor sales managers communicating secured placements, upcoming events, chain gaps, out of code, or other action items

• Bachelor's degree in related field preferred
• 1-3 years of related sales experience within the food or beverage industry, preferably in alcohol beverage sales and working within three‑tier system
• Ability to manage complex sales, sales programs, and portfolios of initiatives through excellent influence and customer service skills
• Effective and persuasive communicator with outstanding presence, presentation and negotiation skills that constantly strive for simplicity and clarity
• Solid execution skills with a passion for getting into the details where appropriate to make effective decisions and drive results
• Cicerone Certified Beer Server certificate is a plus
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Flexibility to travel as needed, including weekends where necessary to drive sales and connect with customers
• Regular travel required to retail accounts. Must have a clean Motor Vehicle Record, valid Driver’s License…