South Texas Area Sales Manager

Job Description:

J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines is one of California’s leading family-owned and operated wineries, with sustainably farmed, estate vineyards in Paso Robles, Monterey, and Napa Valley. We are looking for a self-motivated, high-energy salesperson to work with our distributor and call on key accounts in Houston area, and South Texas in general.

The Area Manager is responsible for achieving sales goals in the assigned geographic territory. This position ensures that distributors and accounts understand the image of J. Lohr Winery and have the tools they need to deliver the message and increase wine sales. The Area Manager works with distributors and their sales representatives to implement programs and strategies to meet sales goals.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
•  Exhibit the highest levels of respect, integrity, sincerity, and professionalism in dealing with others.
•  Attain sales, distribution and profitability goals for the assigned area.
•  Develop relationships with and motivate distributor salespeople during sales meetings, ride-withs, etc. to open and service both on and off-premise accounts.
•  Communicate approved programs and marketing initiatives to distributors and assist in their implementation.
•  Educate salespeople and key accounts as to the unique characteristics of J. Lohr wines, our estate vineyards, people, production methods, sustainability initiatives, appellations, and how they fit into our competitive set.
•  Conduct seminars, tastings, and winemaker dinners.
•  Research and develop key account and target lists.
•  Utilize sales tools effectively to grow existing business, identify new opportunities, make placements and track key initiatives.
•  Track and report on the effectiveness of programs, and recommend corrective action to the Regional Manager.
•  Assist in the execution of national programs throughout the area.
•  Work with other managers and regions to provide support when needed.
•  Produce timely sales activity and expense reports.
•  Cooperate with personnel in other departments to ensure the best overall results for the winery.
•  Maintain a high level of safety awareness in all aspects of the job, including while driving, handling cases of wine, participating in tastings, and entertaining distributors and customers.

Qualifications:
•  Bachelor’s degree (preferably in business, sales, and marketing, or a related field).
•  At least three to five plus years of experience selling wine with another wine supplier and/or a distributor.
•  Entrepreneurial spirit and field sales experience with an emphasis on new business development, face to face selling, and closing the sale.
•  Proven track record of achieving sales goals and growing distribution for premium brands in the wine industry.
•  Commitment to continuous improvement.
•  Keen business acumen: know the industry, competition, and trends affecting the business.
•  Strong mathematical and analytical skills and attention to detail are needed in order to understand revenues and expenses, budget and sales plan variances, and to suggest corrective action.
•  Exemplary communication, influence, and negotiation skills are required in order to work effectively with a variety of people and foster teamwork.
•  Proficiency in Microsoft Office, allowing the candidate to build presentations, sell sheets, and deliver and respond to detailed correspondence.
•  Seasoned organization, reasoning, judgment, and problem-solving skills are necessary in order to coordinate multiple projects, resolve problems, and represent J. Lohr.
•  Knowledge and enjoyment of wine and wine culture, varietals, appellations, food pairings, etc.
•  Driver’s license with a driving record that is acceptable to the winery’s insurance carrier.
•  Willingness to travel with overnight stays as needed.
•  Ability to lift and carry 45 pounds.
•  Residence in Houston is preferred, with a working knowledge of the South Texas markets.

About J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines:
Founded more than fifty years ago by Jerry Lohr and still family owned and operated today, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines grows, produces and bottles a full line of internationally recognized wines from its more than 4,000 acres of certified sustainable estate vineyards. Offering an expressive range of styles that showcases its estate fruit, J. Lohr crafts seven tiers of award-winning wines: J. Lohr Signature Cabernet Sauvignon, J. Lohr Cuvée Series, J. Lohr Vineyard Series, J. Lohr Gesture, J. Lohr Pure Paso® Proprietary Red Wine, J. Lohr Estates, and ARIEL Vineyards. The company’s online home is jlohr.com

At the heart of our success is a commitment to forward-looking, sustainable practices, combined with constant reinvestment in vineyards, state-of-the-art facilities, and artisanal winemaking. In partnership with our family of employees, we are dedicated to maintaining integrity and transparency across all our industry relationships, positioning J. Lohr to prosper for many years to come.

The expected base pay range for this role is 80-85K. Actual pay will be determined by experience, qualifications, geographic location, business needs, and other job-related factors permitted by law. We offer our employees a generous and comprehensive benefits package. The core health insurance components include medical, dental and vision with company contribution to a health savings account (HSA). Additional health benefits include life and disability. Other benefits include 401(k) with company contribution, vacation, sick, holidays, wine, merchandise discounts, and more. Our HR team will discuss our incentive/bonus plan.

Please respond with your cover letter that explains why you are well suited for this position at J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, along with your résumé.

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