SVP Sales - Chicago

SVP Sales - Chicago

Role Overview: 

Our client, who has a very entrepreneurial culture, is looking for an experienced beverage alcohol sales executive to lead their national sales team. This company has experienced four years of great growth and has recently seen it's brands explode. They are searching for a highly motivated individual who can take their company to the next level. This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys challenges and enjoys the opportunity to strengthen and build an organization.

Responsibilities: 

• Develop strategic sales strategies and direct all sales activities for U.S. business that supports and drives an aggressive growth plan across all channels. 
• Develop and execute sales plans to ensure best practices that drive and build customer, and distributor/ wholesaler relationships.
• Lead the National Sales team to successfully launch and execute new product introductions. 
• Interface with and assure effective communication between sales and marketing in order to ensure a smooth and efficient flow of product to customers.
• With a hands-on approach, cultivate partnerships with major distributors to ensure specific requirements are negotiated, understood and are being met through effective delivery-to-promise disciplines and performance indicators. 
• Attract and retain high caliber team members with the intent to train and develop the company's future leaders in order to instill core values and a culture that reinforces and promotes performance in a team focused environment.
• Responsible for the strategic direction and oversight of sales to key customers such as national and regional chains. 
• Actively participates as a member of the Senior Management Team, recommend strategic direction, policy revisions and advise the President on matters affecting the operation of the business.

Job Requirements:

• 15 years of product sales experience with a minimum of 10 years in sales management with well regarded beverage alcohol product companies preferably in both corporate and entrepreneurial environments, with a national span of control. Beverage alcohol industry experience is a MUST HAVE.
• Undergraduate degree in Business or Sales; a graduate education is a plus.
• Experience with consumer products sold through a variety of distribution channels. Keen understanding of nuances of retail channel, with exposure to multiple channels of distribution. 
• Able to lead and drive a dynamic, national sales organization to record results.
• Able to attract outstanding top talent. 
• Proven ability to launch successful new brands. 
• Demonstrated ability to set organizational vision, action, motivation, and priorities to obtain sales success in a fast paced, high growth business. 
• Ability to drive accountability within sales organization and within wholesaler/retailer partnerships.
• Previous P&L responsibility.
• Travel up to approximately 75% of time throughout the United States.
• Ability to be a change agent and effectively lead a sales organization through paradigm shifts required within a growing business and organization.

Key Competencies: 

• A strong, self-confident, driven sales leader (comfortable in his/her own skin) who is trustworthy, personable, has a strong work ethic with a contagious can-do attitude.
• Professional presence, superb communication skills. Able to present to both internal and external audiences and quickly be viewed as a team player and credible subject authority.
• Must exhibit high energy; enjoy handling a multitude of activities in a hands-on entrepreneurial business with a bias for action and results. Knows the feeling of working in a winning business and strives to place the organization there.
• A business savvy leader that uses persuasion and encouragement rather than relying on authority; ability to sell ideas and accomplish tasks through others. 
• Quick study, strong analytical skills. 

Due to the number of resumes we receive, we regret that we cannot respond to all applicants. However, all qualified candidates will be contacted.  No phone calls please.