The Vice President of Global Sales will be a key member of our leadership team, reporting directly to the President. This individual will be responsible for the strategic development and execution of sales initiatives across all channels, including wholesale, national accounts, international, transportation, and Direct-to-Consumer (DTC). The candidate should be prepared to manage a current team of 3 sales professionals including two Regional Sales Managers and a Marketing/DTC Manager. The sales team is expected to grow in the future in order to ensure alignment with company goals and maximize revenue growth.
Key Responsibilities:
- Sales Strategy and Leadership
- Develop and implement a comprehensive sales strategy that aligns with the company’s overall objectives.
- Lead, mentor, and manage the sales team to meet sales goals.
- Collaborate with the winemaker to ensure alignment between production, inventory, and sales needs.
- Wholesale Management
- Oversee the performance of the wholesale division, ensuring effective partnerships with distributors and key accounts.
- Foster relationships with distributors, brokers, and retail partners to drive sales and market share.
- Monitor sales trends and adjust strategies to capitalize on opportunities and address challenges.
- DTC and E-Commerce
- Work closely with the DTC team to develop innovative strategies to grow tasting room, wine club, and online sales.
- Analyze consumer insights to enhance customer experience and retention.
- Financial Oversight
- Develop and manage the sales budget, including forecasting and expense management.
- Track and report on key performance metrics to ensure targets are met or exceeded.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with marketing and operations teams to align promotional activities and ensure product availability.
- Provide leadership to the winemaker regarding sales-driven production planning.
- Market Expansion and Brand Development
- Identify and pursue new market opportunities domestically and internationally.
- Represent the winery at trade events, tastings, and other industry functions.
Qualifications:
- Has strong relationships with national account buyers for chains and on premises is preferred.
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field; MBA preferred.
- Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in wine or beverage sales, with a proven track record of leading high-performing teams.
- Strong understanding of the wholesale and DTC wine markets, including distributor management and e-commerce.
- Exceptional leadership, interpersonal, and negotiation skills.
- Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret sales data and develop actionable strategies.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Passion for wine and a deep knowledge of viticulture and winemaking processes is a plus.
