Area Sales Manager

At Just Ice Tea, we’re on a mission to help consumers “Eat (and Drink) the Change they wish to see in the world,” starting with our product line:
Just Ice Tea. When their beloved brand was discontinued, Honest Tea Co-Founders Seth Goldman and Barry Nalebuff partnered with Celebrity Chef Spike Mendelsohn to brew a new, delicious tasting beverage that supports fair trade and organic farming. Launched in fall 2022 through Eat the Change, Just Ice Tea™ now offers 15 varieties of unsweetened and just sweet enough teas made with clean, easily recognizable ingredients.

Through its commitment to fair trade, Just Ice Tea helps provide a more just, healthier way of life for our farmers and our planet—and healthier options for you. This is Just Ice Tea, but it’s also so much more.

We are seeking an Area Sales Manager to support and accelerate the growth of Just Ice Tea within their assigned territory. This role is responsible for driving execution at the distributor and retail level while serving as a key connector between the brand, distribution partners, and internal teams. The ideal candidate is highly organized, proactive, and comfortable owning priorities independently in a fast-paced startup environment, with the ability to communicate clearly, manage multiple initiatives at once, and push for clarity and results when needed.

The ideal candidate is a creative self-starter and strategic thinker, comfortable hitting the ground running in a fast-growth culture and can adjust rapidly to the changing landscape of a start-up brand. A challenger mindset and tolerance for ambiguity and risk is a must.

• Evaluate and implement appropriate new sales techniques to increase area sales volume.
• Design and recommend sales programs and set short- and long-term sales strategies
• Responsible for building profitable volume through expansion of outlet distribution, effective merchandising, and excellent execution of promotional programs.
• Secure new outlet availability, space, and positioning by influencing bottlers/distributors and retail outlets through route rides, crew drives, independent trade days, local key account calls.
• Proactively communicate clearly the opportunities and challenges of Just Ice Tea to stakeholders
• Review and adjust the priority accounts monthly based on needs of the area, promotional calendar, new product launches, new retailer launches and seasonal selling patterns.
• Educate and train distributor sales teams about Just Ice Tea through regularly scheduled sales meetings
• Ensure proper execution of all promotional activities at store level including, but not limited to communication with retailer, securing & building displays, gaining additional product placement, planogram execution, and placement of point of sale
• Ensure availability of proper inventory levels at distributor and retailer levels
• Monitor the regional market and competitor activities to retain a competitive sales outlook
• Serve as the point person between brand and distribution partner
• Manage execution of programs and promotions of Just Ice Tea products
• Collaboration with marketing contacts to create selling points of sale and schedule demos to support the team

• Ability to work independently and in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to anticipate work needs and interact professionally with vendors and customers.
• Ability to thrive in a startup environment and adapt quickly to changing priorities.
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft office tools
• Have a valid state driver’s license and valid car insurance
• Prolonged periods of driving, standing, or walking
• Ability to lift, push or pull 40 – 50 lbs
• Passionate about our mission to empower consumers to choose (and enjoy!) drinks that align with their concerns around climate change and health.

This position is a full time, salaried position based in the Chicago area. We offer a robust competitive benefits package.

Just Ice Tea is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.