Chain Account Manager

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS:
To make presentations to all assigned chain accounts; effectively driving business and achieving our corporate sales goals; ensuring that established goals and objectives are accomplished in accordance with prescribed standards, priorities, time limitations and supplier requests.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Key point of contact for ABD and assigned retail customers:
  • Sell new items.
  • Conduct periodic Business Reviews and follow up.
  • Work with Supplier Partners in a manner that benefits the particular customer (with some customers ABD is the Lead, others have the Supplier as the Lead).
  • Work with assigned ABD brand managers to make sure priorities are addressed.
• Communicates and ensures that all agreed-upon new items, displays and programs are carried out through ABD management team and salespeople.
  • Creates, updates, and distributes chain activity schedules.
  • Insures and tracks display execution versus set ad plan.
• Participate in monthly goal setting (MBOs) for Sales Team.
• Survey accounts as requested.
• Proposes, develop, and ensure implementation of store planograms.
• Serve as Space Planning training resource and troubleshooting resource for ABD.
• Communicate cost and pricing information, via the Chain Sales Admin, to assigned customers / suppliers and ensure we are hitting agreed upon targets.
• Participates in regular meetings and conference calls with suppliers; communicates and interacts regularly with sales reps, and sales team leaders and managers.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Ability to conduct meetings.
• Ability to apply commonsense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of an organization.
• Must be proficient with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Space Planning).
• Have attained a four-year college or university program certificate; or four to six years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and be able to obtain a Michigan Liquor Control Card.
• Previous sales experience necessary with a background in the sales and beverage industry preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS :

• Have the ability to stand on a hard surface for up to 4 hours at a time.
• Bend to lift product including cases and kegs, weighing up to 165 lb. each, using both hands.
• Be able to see products and discern dissimilar colors, and numbers.
• Must be able to effectively communicate with customers, subordinates, management and co-workers.
• Be able to listen to instruction both face to face, and over the phone.
• Ability to stand, walk and move in and out of a vehicle throughout the day.

• Competitive pay.
• Great health benefits.  
  • Medical - 3 different plans to choose from, one is completely company paid.
  • Dental
  • Vision
• Other ancillary benefits.
  • 401(k) plan with company match
  • Company Paid Life Insurance
  • Company Paid Accidental Death and Dismemberment
  • Company Paid Short Term Disability
  • Paid Time Off
  • Paid Sick Time
  • Paid Parental Leave
• Mileage reimbursement. Our employees are compensated per mile for the use of their own car.
• Opportunity for advancement. We are likely to promote within before hiring externally.
• Product discounts. We offer generous employee discounts on product purchases.

About Alliance Beverage:

Chicago native Larry Gary settled in Hastings, MI, where he owned and operated a bowling alley. In 1963, Larry and his wife, Joan, decided a change was in order; they moved to the Grand Rapids area, where Larry founded Kent Beverage.

Detroit native Tim Sullivan, along with his brother Mike, founded Sullivan Brothers Construction on the east side of the state. However, after seeing his friends thrive in the beer distribution business, Tim decided to make a change, purchasing Grand Rapids' B&B Beer in 1977.

Both companies grew and flourished, passing from one generation to the next, each strengthening its roots in Michigan. Eventually, over a shared pint, the Gary and Sullivan families envisioned a stronger future together. On May 13, 2013, Kent Beverage and B&B Beer merged, forming Alliance Beverage—a company committed to being the “Preferred Distributor” for everyone it interacts with.

From day one, Alliance has prioritized recruiting top talent and upholding the highest standards of integrity, teamwork, and respect, aiming to enrich the lives of associates, customers, suppliers, and the community. By offering a diverse range of quality products and a supportive, accountable environment, we continually seek to create positive and lasting relationships.

Today, Alliance Beverage is a team of over 550, proudly serving more than 6,000 customers across Western Michigan. With three distribution centers and six sales offices, our team members are not just employees—they’re neighbors who are actively involved in the communities they serve.