New England Regional Sales Manager

Summary Description:  

Von Trapp Brewing is part of Trapp Family Lodge, a 2,600-acre resort owned and operated by the von Trapp family. The brewery was created in 2010 by the family that inspired “The Sound of Music.” Based in Stowe, Vermont, von Trapp Brewing specializes in authentic Austrian style lagers and are brewed with pure Vermont spring water sourced from the Trapp Family Lodge property, with inspiration from “A little of Austria, a lot of Vermont”. 

The proud recipients of the 2024 Great American Beer Festival’s “Brewery & Brewery of the Year” award in the 15,001-100,000 barrel category, we are more excited than ever to continue serving high quality, Vermont-made brews across the country.  

An important part of our mission is to attract, retain and develop the best talent in the craft beer industry. Our employees take pride in our unique history and award-winning lagers. We value our employees’ teamwork, motivation and professionalism allowing us to provide and share our line of products with New England and beyond. We invite you to explore the career opportunities available to you at our resort/brewery and become part of the von Trapp Brewing team!  

Regional Sales Manager – New England 

The Regional Sales Manager is key to the success of von Trapp Brewing and our wholesaler partners. This teammate will manage wholesalers, vTb personnel and sales throughout the territory. The manager is responsible for accomplishing goals, sales growth, coaching the team and managing inventory with our partners. A passion for lagers, integrity, and shared values are paramount to the success of this role.  

Essential Job Functions: 

• Have a detailed understanding of how wholesalers operate; invoicing, pos ordering, scheduling, accounting practices, reporting, and how the reps and supervisors are compensated.  
• Understand chains and support Key Account Managers both internal and external. 
• Work to support direct reports throughout the territory.  
• Identify key events and opportunities to include sponsorships.   
• Know and understand the product lineup and pricing of top competitors in the market.  
• For the manager and their team to be known as the “preferred supplier” by your distributors. Drive vTb sales throughout the territory, while also managing inventory levels.  
• Communicate clearly and concisely with internal and external personnel. 
• Use data tools to analyze and develop weekly and monthly sales strategies. 
• Identify and setup account calls, work withs, trainings, and industry events. 
• Perform administration duties to include, expense reports, meeting summaries, CRM reports, manage calendars, and sales analysis.  
• Be willing to help vTb teammates throughout our distribution footprint as needed.  
• This job requires an excellent work ethic, passion for craft lagers, knowledge of breweries and beer styles, and the ability to grow vTb’s business at retail and at the distributor level.  
• Be well acquainted and respected with key decision makers throughout the territory.  
• This position requires night and weekend work. 
• Extensive car travel is required for this position, and a clean driving record. 
• The ideal candidate would live in New England.  

Responsibilities 

• Grow revenue within territory YOY through increased points of distribution, chain support, managing allocations and inventory in region. 
• Direct account level work for key accounts, new accounts, and national accounts, supporting activities (promotions, staff trainings, festivals, hand sells) at the account level throughout the territory.  
• Create and execute plans to align efforts with monthly objectives and company sales goals. 
• Monthly meetings and sales calls to the chain channel throughout the territory in support of Key Account Managers’ needs.  
• Develop and maintain distributor relationships while managing goals and forecasts through quarterly progress reviews. 
• Ensures appropriate inventory levels to achieve market goals and quality assurance freshness and standards. 
• Ensures consistency with all marketing initiatives throughout territory as well as consistency with overall brand. 
• Regular communication of wins, challenges, and opportunities to Director through monthly reporting. 
• Support the team as they execute off-premise promotions and special events that generate vTb brand awareness and consumer sampling that support new distribution. 
• Required to manage Lilypad for direct reports. 
• vTb standard account visit goal is 55 per week or as defined by Director. 
• Monitor POS, placements, and product freshness at all accounts. 
• Respond to all communications (internal and external) within 24 hours. 
• Includes emails, calls, texts, etc. 

Timely submission of administrative reports. It is expected that administrative duties take less than a half day of work and the remainder time is spent in different channels of trade. 

Weekly check ins with Director – this is your time to ask questions, gain guidance, and provide feedback from the market/distributor.? 

• Punctuality and professionalism always matter. 
• Time management; must be able to manage time to effectively close out goals and administrative duties.? 
• Regularly monitor supply, demand, pricing, competitive brands, industry trends, and positive/negative feedback, and communicate findings with manager. 
• Bring an energetic, cooperative, proactive, self-motivated attitude. 

Education:   

• High School Graduate or Equivalent 
• BA preferred. 

Requirements: 

• At least 5 years of sales experience. 
• At least 5 years of craft beer experience. 
• Chain experience preferred.  
• Management experience preferred. 
• 80% of work is in the field, must work some nights and weekends, this is not a traditional 9-5pm role. 
• Valid and clean driver’s record. 
• Living in or around New England  
• Experience working with or for a distributor. 
• Experience with Microsoft office Suite, and the ability to enter, retrieve and interpret data.  
• Experience with VIP, Concur, Lilypad, or other craft beer sales software is a plus. 
• Must be at least 21 years of age. 
• Selected candidates must pass a background and driver’s license check. 

Working Conditions: 

• Extensive car travel: average 20,000 miles annually – please work smartly, conserve gas and use best practices in the market. Must have reliable transportation and space for items such as cases, kegs, POS, etc.? 
• Overnight Travel: Trips throughout the territory for team support, meetings and to assist in new or existing markets. 
• Weekend/ Nights Availability. This will vary depending on the market needs.? 
• Lifting and moving cases (~35 lbs.) and moving. 

At-Will Employment: Employment with von Trapp Brewing may be terminated by either von Trapp or the employee at any time with or without cause or notice.