Key Responsibilities:
Sales Strategy and Leadership
- Lead the U.S. sales team and oversee all sales activities, with a focus on high-end, imported wines, particularly Burgundy.
- Develop and execute a strategic sales plan that aligns with the company's overall goals, expands our customer base, and enhances the positioning of our portfolio across on-premise (restaurants) and retail channels.
- Collaborate closely with regional sales managers to set targets, monitor progress, and adapt strategies to meet the specific needs of different markets.
- Act as a brand ambassador, effectively representing the importer and its heritage, building long-term relationships with key stakeholders, distributors, and national accounts.
Market Expertise and Relationship Management
- Leverage deep knowledge of the U.S. alcohol market, including specific state regulations, distributor networks, and key industry players.
- Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with large-scale distributors while navigating the complexities of fine-wine distribution from a small-scale supplier perspective.
- Understand and implement effective programming, incentive structures, and trade marketing initiatives tailored to the needs of individual markets.
- Serve as the primary liaison between the U.S. subsidiary, the French HQ, and distributor partners, ensuring smooth communication and alignment on commercial strategy.
Business Planning and Financial Oversight
- Build, implement, and track comprehensive business plans, including sales forecasts, budgeting, and profitability analysis.
- Analyze sales data to inform decision-making and identify opportunities for
- growth.
- Team Leadership and Development
- Recruit, train, and mentor a team of sales specialists, fostering a collaborative, supportive, and high-performing environment.
- Identify skill gaps within the team and develop tailored training programs to ensure continuous growth and development.
- Facilitate regular sales meetings to review goals, share best practices, and
- motivate the team.
Cultural Fit and Representation
- Embrace and promote the family-driven values of the importer, with an understanding of the company's history and commitment to quality.
- Act as a steward of the brand, balancing respect for the company's legacy with a strategic, forward-thinking approach to market challenges.
- Demonstrate a strong understanding of Burgundy wines and effectively communicate their unique value to diverse stakeholders.
Travel and Logistics
- Travel extensively throughout the U.S. to meet with distributors, key accounts, and team members, as well as internationally to France 2-3 times per year for 5-10 day visits.
- Maintain legal work status in the U.S. (green card or citizenship required) and a clean driver's license, with the ability to carry up to 40 pounds (as needed for samples and events).
Professional Qualifications:
- Minimum of 15-20 years of upper management experience, with a strong focus on high-end, imported wine sales. At least 7-10 years of recent experience managing a broad, family-owned portfolio.
- Extensive knowledge of the French fine-wine sector, with a particular emphasis on Burgundy wines and their positioning in the U.S. market.
- Fluent in French, with strong communication skills to collaborate effectively with the French HQ and U.S. team.
- Proven financial acumen, with experience managing P&L statements, conducting growth forecasting, and analyzing sales data.
- Demonstrated passion for wine and a deep interest in the industry.
- Strong leadership, verbal and written communication, and decision-making skills, with a track record of building and leading high-performing sales teams.
- Comfortable working in a family-run business environment and collaborating with a small, U.S.-based team.
- Long-term commitment to building strong relationships with the team in both France and the United States.•
- Preferred location is California, but this can be discussed following an initial training phase.
Personal Attributes:
- A charismatic and empathetic leader who can build strong, lasting relationships with both internal teams and external partners.
- A strategic thinker with a keen understanding of market dynamics and the ability to adapt plans as needed.
- A brand ambassador with a deep respect for family values, the history of the importer, and the cultural nuances of both the French HQ and U.S. subsidiary.
- Someone who balances independence and collaboration effectively, with a calm and measured demeanor that inspires confidence.
- A passion for wine, with a strong sense of style and a great sense of humor that fits the company culture.
