Regional Manager - Illinois

Greater Chicago, IL (remote); Chicago, IL, USA Description As a Certified B Corporation, Bonterra Organic Estates (formerly Fetzer Vineyards) is focused on excellence, innovation and longstanding commitments to the environment and responsible business practices. We are proud to offer exciting career opportunities within our California-based winery, Bonterra Organic Estates, and our distribution and commercial operations, Viña Concha y Toro USA (VCT-USA). Why us? #1 South American wine supplier in the U.S. Sell highly‑awarded wines. To name a few in our VCT‑USA portfolio: Don Melchor Wine Spectator Wine of the Year 2024; 4x Top 10; 10x Top 100 Mendocino County named Wine Enthusiast American Wine Region of the Year 2024 Bonterra Wine Enthusiast Top 100 Wines of 2024 and Top 100 Best Buys of 2024 Bonterra Wine Enthusiast American Winery of the Year 2016 Casillero del Diablo is the official wine sponsor of the Mexico National Football Team Trivento is the most chosen Argentine wine in the world 2024 (IWSR) We’re looking for a Regional Manager to grow share in on/off premise—including regional/local chain development—throughout Illinois to ensure market penetration, brand awareness and sell‑through. You will work independently and collaboratively with distributor personnel and key members of our sales and marketing team as well as actively work the market multiple days a week to make sales calls, maintain your own key account list, participate in local trade activities and maintain close communication with distributor team members and leadership, and build direct relationships with customers. This is a remote, home office‑based role with the ideal candidate located within proximity to the Greater Chicagoland area. This role entails extensive driving within the field in order visit accounts, do work withs and attend distributor meetings. Overnight travel will be approximately 15% – 20%. Scope Responsible for overseeing business performance within an assigned state or group of states and ensuring the achievement of the regional business plan. This role has direct people leadership responsibilities and drives results through coordination, influence, and collaboration with cross‑functional teams and distributor partners. The role is also accountable for ensuring full adherence to VCTUSA’s established “Ways of Working”, including company standards, processes, and compliance expectations. Key Responsibilities Manage state‑level depletions, KPIs, and distributor targets. Conduct monthly performance reviews with key distributor teams. Manage monthly work‑withs, market visits and key‑selling activities. Build and execute state‑level road maps (i.e., programming/activity calendars). Manage relationship with key state distributor personnel. Monitor pricing accuracy, inventory health, and forecast inputs. Ensure district manager(s) performance aligns with region strategy and goals. Annual Business Planning Accountable to plan performance within assigned state(s). Conduct weekly/monthly performance updates with state distributor leadership around active monthly programs and key initiatives. Shipments Accountable for inventory management within assigned region ensuring Days of Inventory on Hand (DOH) and DOO remain within targeted guidelines. Depletions Accountable for execution of chain/brand programs within assigned region. Accountable for Luxury Brand Collection execution. Budget Management Ensure all brand spending for assigned region remains within annual budget. Responsible for submitting discretionary spending requests in accordance with policy. Ensure state distributor banks are being targeted to highest ROI activities. Monthly meeting with Sales Operations to review YTD budget performance. Distributor relationship priorities include: Market Leads State VPs State EVP (monthly and quarterly meetings) Facilitate monthly performance review meetings and QBRs. Coordinate surveys around key selling periods. Conduct monthly meeting with portfolio managers to review pricing, programming and inventory. Market Impact Present in market 60%–70% of time. Team development, business reviews and key distributor meetings. Business reviews and key distributor meetings. Cultivate relationships with key account buyers and ensure execution of focus programs. Monthly/quarterly market audits and program compliance. Ensure district manager(s) performance aligns with region strategy and goals. Required Experience Bachelor’s Degree in Business/Marketing or related field plus a minimum five years progressive sales experience in wine and spirits, beverage alcohol (or relevant CPG) industry, or equivalent combination education/experience. Proven success in alcohol beverage industry sales and account management including extensive knowledge of on‑ and off‑premise wine channels and trade. Knowledge and passion for both luxury/premium and commercial wines and excitement for selling a wide spectrum of price points and formats. Demonstrated success in developing and managing distributor partnerships to maximize results and achieve mutual goals. Proven leadership and motivational skills with a track record of mentoring and developing sales talent. Strong knowledge of off‑premise and chain execution levers (pricing, promotions, merchandising) and comfort leading account strategies. Practical selling experience in food and beverage industry with meaningful distributor management exposure. Thorough knowledge and demonstration of wine principles, winegrowing/making process, food and wine pairing and related industry knowledge. Strong verbal and written communicator with strong public speaking and presentation skills. Excellent interpersonal skills with the highest level of integrity. Proficiency in Microsoft 365 office applications including Word, PowerPoint and Excel. Valid Driver’s License and the ability to be insured; willingness to spend significant time traveling in‑market. Overnight travel approximately 15% – 20% of time; weekend and evening work as required. Travel throughout region required. Preferred Requirements Experience selling imports and/or organic categories, advantageous. Circana/Nielsen information experience, a plus. Wine education or certification, a plus (WSET or CSW preferred). Familiarity with Breakthru Beverage Group, a plus. Physical Requirements Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs and push/pull up to 30 lbs on a frequent basis; ability to frequently sit and work at a desk for long periods of time; requires ability to frequently walk and occasionally stand, reach outward and upward, climb, crawl, squat, kneel, and bend; requires hand and finger dexterity for keyboarding and frequently working at computer for extended periods of time. Additional physical requirements related to domestic/international travel via air and ground transportation. Benefits First day Medical, Dental, Vision, Life & Disability, Tax Savings (401k with company match), Short and Long‑Term Disability, paid vacation, sick leave and company holidays. Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account benefits available to eligible employees. Community engagement is encouraged with one day/shift off per year as Volunteer Time Off (VTO). We offer many employee‑focused health, wellness, training and safety‑related programs as well as scholarship opportunities for dependents. Compensation Compensation for this role includes a base salary target of $120,000 to $135,000, an annual incentive target that aligns with individual and company performance, and transportation‑related benefits. Actual rates will vary and are based on a candidate’s relevant education, qualifications, experience, skillset, competencies, internal equity, location and alignment with market data. About Bonterra Organic Estates Part of the Viña Concha y Toro family of wineries since 2011, our California winery operation includes the Mendocino County winery, production and approximately 830 acres of vineyard locations. Requires successful completion of criminal background, DMV check and drug screen. AA/EOE/M/F/D/V You will be required to submit verification of your citizenship or legal right to work in the U.S. at the time of an offer of employment. Equal Opportunity Employer. This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor. #J-18808-Ljbffr Bonterra-Organic-Estates-