About Frind Estate Winery
Established in 2017 with the purchase of the historic Bennett property in West Kelowna, Frind Estate Winery blends agriculture with technological opportunity. Markus Frind’s family has a farming history spanning 500 years, both in Germany and northern BC. After the successful sale of plentyoffish.com, Markus is focusing his efforts on pairing technology with agriculture to produce terroir-driven British Columbia wines of exceptional quality.
The Role
The National Sales Manager plays a pivotal role in shaping the winery's success, combining industry expertise with strategic thinking to drive sales growth and market share. This role requires a dynamic individual with a passion for wine and a proven ability to navigate the complexities of the wine market while maintaining a customer-centric approach. This position requires a deep understanding of the wine market, excellent relationship-building skills, and a proven track record in developing and implementing effective sales strategies.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Sales Planning:
· Develop and execute a comprehensive sales strategy to achieve national sales targets.
· Leverage in-depth knowledge of the wine industry to identify market trends, consumer preferences, and competitive positioning.
· Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align sales initiatives with product development and marketing strategies.
Sales Team Leadership:
· Recruit, train, and manage a high-performing national sales team.
· Provide leadership, motivation, and guidance to the sales team to ensure the achievement of individual and collective goals.
· Foster a collaborative and results-oriented team culture.
Key Account Management:
· Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key accounts, distributors, and retail partners in the wine industry.
· Understand client needs and preferences to tailor sales approaches and solutions.
· Negotiate and finalize sales agreements to maximize revenue and distribution.
· Act as a brand ambassador, representing the winery at industry events, tastings, and trade shows.
Market Analysis and Intelligence:
· Identify and pursue new business opportunities to expand the winery's presence in untapped markets.
· Develop and execute market entry strategies for new regions.
· Stay informed about industry trends, regulatory changes, and emerging market dynamics.
· Utilize market intelligence to make informed decisions and adjust sales strategies as needed.
Distribution Management:
· Work closely with distributors to optimize product placement, pricing, and promotional activities.
· Monitor distributor performance and implement strategies to enhance market penetration.
· Negotiate and manage agreements with distribution partners.
Sales Performance Analysis:
· Implement sales analytics and reporting systems to measure performance against KPIs.
· Analyze sales data to identify trends, opportunities, and areas for improvement.
· Regularly review and adjust strategies to ensure consistent sales growth.
Budget Management:
· Develop and manage the annual sales budget, ensuring efficient allocation of resources to achieve sales objectives.
· Monitor expenses and make adjustments as necessary to meet financial targets.
Qualifications
· Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field; wine industry certification is a plus.
· Proven experience in national sales management within the wine or beverage industry.
· Strong leadership, communication, and negotiation skills.
· Demonstrated ability to develop and execute successful sales strategies.
· Excellent negotiation, communication, and presentation skills.
· Demonstrated success in building and leading high-performing sales teams.
· Familiarity with industry trends, regulations, and distribution channels.
· Proficient in Microsoft Office and CRM software.
· Ability to travel as needed for client meetings, industry events, and market visits.