Sales Representative - Northern Illinois

Summary/Objective

It is up to our esteemed sales team to help broaden our availability in retail locations across Northern Illinois. The objective of this role is to sell Big Grove products to new and existing customers through knowledge of our brand and offerings and the building of strong client relationships. We are excited to bring Big Grove to the good people of Illinois and this role will help us achieve this!

Core Values

Big Grove only hires and retains people who exhibit our core values. Our Core Values are:

1. Set the Tone
2. Thirst for Improvement
3. We Care
4. Practice Candor
5. Passion Driven

Please see attached culture deck explaining these core values. The goal of our culture deck is to show you who we are as a company, and then you can decide if you personally align with us and are excited to begin a career here. 

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Visible external marketer for the Big Grove brand
2. Strong business acumen
3. Fearless to ask for a sale
4. Responsible for growing distribution sales
5. Work with sales leader for strategies and targets
6. Prospect, identify, and pitch products to potential clients
7. Ability to close deals
8. Make reasonable promises and better results

Competencies

1. Self Starter/ High level of independence and ownership
2. Exceptional communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills
3. Result driven/High achieving
4. Detail oriented/Thoroughness
5. Accountable

Be a high performing Big Grove team member with ability to look at business as a whole, communicate with all people, collaborate with all departments, work to solve organizational problems, and accomplish goals. Contribute to and exemplify BGB values, vision, standards, and culture.

Supervisory Responsibility

None

Job Responsibilities

• In coordination with the Director of Sales, develop a comprehensive sales strategy for the Northern Illinois market aligning with overall company goals and objectives. Goal is to grow our brand rapidly in Northern Illinois. 
• Build and maintain strong relationships with both on and off-premise accounts to include chain and independent, bars, restaurants, grocery, liquor and other potential sales outlets. Secure prominent placement of our products in conjunction with distributor partners. Conduct regular visits to accounts.
• Monitor market trends, competitor activities, and consumer preferences to identify opportunities for growth and product placement.
• Build and maintain relationships with Illinois Distributors. Provide ongoing support including inventory management, order processing and education. 
• Distribution markets include but are not limited to: Rockford, Galesburg, Peoria, Naperville & other surrounding Northern Illinois markets
• Manage the allocated sales budget effectively to maximize return on investment and achieve sales goals. 
• Track sales performance metrics and adjust strategies as needed to meet or exceed sales goals.
• Utilize CRM software to manage relationships with customers and build reports to track progress and find opportunities within the market.
• Educate and train sales teams, retailers, and distributors about our products and their unique selling points. Become a subject matter expert on Big Grove and our product offerings. 
• Plan and execute promotional events, tastings, festivals and other marketing campaigns to engage consumers and boost sales.
• Ensure all sales activities adhere to local, state, and federal regulations related to the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages.

Work Environment

This is a remote based field position in the Northern Illinois area. Expectation is that a majority of working hours are spent in the market.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

This position is very active and requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, and crouching all day. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 45 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. 

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position and hours of work/ days may vary from week to week. 45-50 hours per week are expected. . Evening and weekends are likely a key requirement for samplings and festivals.

Travel

Travel is an expectation for this position. A valid driver’s license and insurance are required for this role. A provided vehicle or the coverage of in-market travel will be determined as role is hired on. Travel to taprooms or other markets will occasionally be required including overnight stays.

Preferred Education and Experience

1. High School Diploma or equivalent; Bachelor’s degree preferred but not required
2. Work experience with alcoholic beverage suppliers, distributors, or retailers preferred
3. 2-4 years proven sales experience required
4. Strong knowledge of craft beer, brewing processes, and industry trends.
5. Management of direct reports or field teams is preferred
6. Strong understanding of the Northern Illinois market, its dynamics and key players. Only candidates based in or within a short commute of the market will be considered.
7. Proficient in sales management software and other software.
8. Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
9. Must be at least 21 years of age

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.