Chain Manager

About General Beverages Sales Co.

General Beverage Sales Co. (GB) is a business‑to‑business wholesale distributor of wine, distilled spirits, beer, soda, bottled water and non‑alcoholic beverages. Established in 1933, GB has been family‑owned ever since. We currently operate in all of Wisconsin’s 72 counties as consultants to over 11,000 licensed retail business customers helping them to profitably select, promote, merchandise, and sell consumer products in the beverage category.

We proudly employ 900 employees across the State of Wisconsin. Our mission is to be the trusted distributor partner of our suppliers and customers in order to advance our collective beverage business and support the growth of our family of employees.

Position Overview

The Chain Manager works with retail chain accounts and chain store headquarters to promote GB products by gaining approval to sell items at chain stores, negotiating promotions, and ensuring that promotions, displays, features, favorable product placement, cooler resets, and other key objectives are executed as approved by the chain.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain an active presence in the market.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with stakeholders and key personnel in the assigned accounts universe.
• Track and monitor all chain store ads and distribution reports.
• Regularly conduct market surveys with sales leadership to evaluate effectiveness of programs, pricing, execution, and development of strategic initiatives as well as competitive activity.
• Coordinate and lead the Category Management Team on detailed, quality, and timely set processes for chain and independent accounts, consistent communication with sales managers and sales representatives, setting and achieving goals for category management and quantity of resets, and day‑to‑day activities.
• Attend divisional sales meetings and present monthly programming and priorities.
• Execute distribution, marketing, sales, and set plans for GB and its supplier partners within assigned accounts.
• Direct and monitor sales personnel on program execution and conduct business reviews.
• Establish goals and priorities for accounts based on greatest opportunities for brand growth.
• Advise and consult with sales teams and suppliers to recommend ideas and tactics for programming and marketing initiatives.
• Enlist and obtain supplier resources to gain market share and key account relevance.
• Follow up on all customer complaints in close coordination with the Sales Manager to ensure problems are solved and to prevent recurrence.
• Develop and maintain a consistent cadence of communication to all impacted personnel as it relates to new item authorizations, gaps, program updates, growth opportunities and store openings.
• Complete all internal control records, forms, and reports properly and accurately.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

• Excellent starting Wage.
• Company Paid Life Insurance.
• Company Paid Short Term Disability Coverage.
• 2 Health Insurance options.
• Dental Insurance.
• Vision Insurance.
• FSA and an HSA (with applicable Health Insurance option).
• Voluntary coverages such as Life Insurance, Short Term Disability Insurance, Voluntary Critical Illness coverage, as well as Voluntary Accident coverage.
• 401(k) with Match/Profit Sharing.
• Generous Vacation package.
• Separate generous Sick Time package.
• Lifelong learning opportunities to enhance career growth.
• Great people, great products, and a great company.

• Clear and persuasive communication style that builds relationships and maintains open communication with chain buyers, supplier representatives and the internal sales team.
• Keen organizational abilities to plan and implement chain programs, manage specific and varied chain business requirements and deliver on brand strategy.
• Solid data analysis skills with ability to combine multiple sources to develop strategies that drive sales.
• Competitive and self‑motivated with a passionate commitment to delivering best‑in‑class service.
• Acts with honesty and transparency and treats others with respect, dignity and fairness.
• Contributes to an inclusive culture by…