Area Sales Manager - Chicago, IL

Pirq was founded by Minal Bhakta, inspired by her mom’s love of turmeric and its amazing health benefits. Growing up, turmeric was a big part of her family’s morning routine. Her mom’s turmeric shots were famous, but they definitely did not taste great! This inspired Minal to create Pirq: clean, delicious, and nutritious products that everyone can enjoy.

From smooth, creamy, and indulgent plant-based protein shakes, to juicy, refreshing hydration mixes, every sip is packed with wellness benefits and flavor, to support you and pirq up your taste buds.

Our Area Sales Manager of the Chicago metro area will represent us in and around the surrounding cities of Chicago.

This position focuses on making an impact in the field, with our current National, Regional and Independent retailers.

In this role you’ll have to prioritize your time to focus on the highest impact areas, while working with our broadline distribution partners and third-party sales resources in the region to deliver on growth at the highest level. You’ll be opening new doors, but you’ll also be building on high velocities we are already seeing in the market. If you’re looking for a fast-paced environment, an opportunity for personal growth and responsibility, and enjoy having fun along the way, then this is a role you’ll thrive in!

Role requires presence in assigned markets:

• Chicago, IL Metropolitan Area
• This is a field-based role – 95% of time in field
• Must possess and maintain a valid US Driver’s License with clean driving record
• Must possess and be willing to use personal vehicle to travel to and from accounts

Build the Brand

• Conduct weekly visits to a high volume of accounts and pinpoint opportunities for underperforming accounts and routes. Deliver on monthly/quarterly KPI’s and achieve overall objectives in the market.
• Drive sales execution, expanding SKU distribution, shelf space, displays, and promotional activity
• Manage partnerships with retailers, brokers, and 3 rd party merchandising support in the Los Angeles market.
• Explore and evaluate new business opportunities for the brand within the independent retailer space.
• Manage chain retailers: new item launches and retail programs.
• Gain additional placement within accounts, including secondary points of purchase and cooler placement.
• Collaborate with field-marketing teams to create comprehensive marketing plans to profitably increase market share.
• Assist stores in packing out and merchandising which will require lifting multiple cases of product.
• Assist our Director/Regional Sales Manager by providing well-documented reports through retail execution/field management tools.
• Support regional sales initiatives as directed by Director of Field Sales or Regional Sales Manager
• Participate in weekly sales calls to review performance and outline goals
• Accurately and expertly utilize CRM applications to chronicle daily activities and display execution

• Build and promote positive rapport with key contacts in stores to secure incremental display space
• Service assigned account base with consistency and purposeful follow-up (approx. 8-12 stops/day in assigned territories)
• Develop and schedule weekly account visits based on specific business needs
• Understand customer needs - identify how you, as the primary point of contact, can partner with the customer and enact a plan to drive sales growth for the store and Pirq
• Understand the importance of building trust and credibility with accounts

• Proven track record with 2 to 3 years of experience in consumer goods sales, preferably in beverage, distributor sales, or related industries
• Strong preference for candidates with direct experience in Conventional, Natural Retail channel, and the independent channel
• Strong business acumen with an entrepreneurial mindset
• Comfortable with daily face-to-face customer interaction
• Familiarity with CRM tools and field sales reporting systems
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with strong analytical and creative problem-solving abilities.
• Obsession for understanding customer behavior. Lives, breathes and dreams about how to…