Area Sales Manager - Illinois

**Essential Functions and Duties** **Strategic Alignment** • Actively support the company’s strategic goals, values, and Triple Bottom Line initiatives. • Ensure all market activities align with company objectives, brand standards, and sales priorities. **Field Sales and Execution** • Conduct regular sales calls to on and off premise accounts to sell in initiatives, secure new placements, increase velocity, and execute marketing programs. • Execute retail samplings, on premise promotions, beer dinners, and consumer-facing activation events. • Perform account surveys, placement checks, display execution, and point of sale utilization to ensure strong brand representation in the market. • Conduct brewery visits with key retailers as needed. • Plan and direct daily activities across the assigned territory to ensure results align with goals. **Distributor Management and Market Operations** • Review distributor orders and weekly inventories, ensuring stock levels align with forecasts and demand. • Ensure distributor and retail inventories are properly rotated, in code, and merchandised according to brand standards, including monthly warehouse walks for rotation checks. • Collaborate with distributor management on programming, action plans, sales goals, and quarterly reviews. • Present and communicate sales plans, priorities, innovation launches, and promotional programs at distributor sales meetings. • Track program execution, ads, displays, and distribution performance for the assigned area. • Ensure timely and accurate processing of distributor billing, invoicing, and administrative needs. • Maximize use of co-op dollars and available marketing assets. • Work regularly with distributor sales reps and managers in trade across on and off premise accounts. **Sales Strategy, Planning, and Forecasting** • Review and approve sales forecasts and evaluate monthly performance results to maintain forecast accuracy. • Create market and seasonal sales plans and recap programs as required. • Assist National Account Managers with planning, executing, and reviewing chain programming in the territory. • Monitor competitive activity, category trends, pricing, and local opportunities to inform strategic decision-making. • Submit weekly and monthly recaps and reports on time, providing clear insights and market analysis. **Team Leadership and People Management** • Hire, lead, coach, and motivate field sales staff (Sales Reps and Brand Ambassadors) in assigned markets. • Conduct regular one-on-one check-ins, create performance objectives, and deliver annual performance reviews. • Provide on-the-job training, tools, and development opportunities for team growth. • Ensure proper scheduling and support for Brand Ambassadors during activations. • Manage and hold team accountable to expense budgets and company standards. **Budget, Administration, and Compliance** • Manage and operate within assigned expense budgets, ensuring compliance for all direct reports. • Maintain strong organization, prioritization, and reporting habits across all responsibilities. • Follow company policies and ensure team compliance with brand, legal, and safety standards. **Education** Bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred, or equivalent work experience. **Work Experience** Minimum four to five years of relevant experience in beverage sales, distributor management, or field sales roles. Strong working knowledge of the beer or brewing industry required. **Required Qualifications** • Proven ability to build and manage distributor relationships. • Strong leadership skills with experience managing people. • Proficiency in Microsoft Office and sales tracking systems. • Excellent oral and written communication skills, including group presentation abilities. • Strong organizational and decision-making skills. • Ability to lift 35 pounds. • Able to work autonomously and within a team. • Must have reliable transportation and a valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving r…