Brooklyn Kura & Hakkaisan

Sales Representative & Brand Ambassador

Come join the Brooklyn Kura Team and become the first member of our newly launched sales force--in partnership with Hakkaisan Brewery. As a Sales Representative & Brand Ambassador, you will strengthen and grow both Brooklyn Kura and Hakkaisan brands, which produce hand-crafted sakes and spirits using the highest quality ingredients.

Brooklyn Kura is the leading producer of American Craft Sake, based in Sunset Park, Brooklyn and is well known for their fresh and elegant sakes. Hakkaisan is an internationally recognized sake brewery, known for its clean and crisp flavor profiles – a nod to the regional style of Niigata Prefecture.

With a foundation in over 1000 years of tradition AND with your help, our new sales team will write the next chapter in the American Sake story.

Basic Function
We are hiring someone that wants to grow the sake market in the U.S. At the start, this sales representative will be responsible for servicing and building a customer base within New York City metro region while also providing support to our Sake Studies Center. This is a full-time, salary and bonus-based position. The portfolio includes sakes and sprits sold by both Brooklyn Kura and Hakkaisan brewery.

Responsibilities
•  Maintaining and building strong relationships with our existing customers
•  Identify new customers and acquiring new accounts
•  Perform regular service calls on existing and prospect account using sales performance data
•  Perform account outreach both inside of NYC metro as well as expanding territories
•  Partner with our distributor (Skurnik Wines and New York Mutual Trading) on account priorities, work-withs, and outreach
•  Organize and deliver sake tastings/training at accounts AND our Brooklyn-based taproom
•  Support our new Sake Studies Center—sake education platform
•  Commitment to personal growth through product and general industry knowledge and connections
•  Providing excellent customer service and follow-through
•  Formulate creative and innovative strategies to develop business and drive sales

Qualifications
•  Must have at least 3 years of wine/sake industry sales experience in New York City
•  Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and oral)
•  Japanese language and familiarity with Japanese business practices a plus
•  Previous experience in sales, restaurants, or wine and spirits retail
•  Bachelor's degree or equivalent related work experience
•  Must be flexible and able to easily adapt to changes
•  Positive attitude and a passion for the alcohol industry
•  Strong organizational and territory management skills
•  Highly motivated and works well both independently and on a team
•  Ability to build productive partnerships and collaborate with decision makers
•  Basic sake, wine and spirits knowledge (Sommelier certification or similar a plus)
•  Ability to build rapport with customers and close a sale
•  Entrepreneurial drive; must be motivated to work independently
•  Impeccably well organized and detail oriented
•  General computer knowledge with a focus on Word, Excel, and Outlook required
•  Valid drivers license required

Position Requirements
•  Ability to lift and carry a 40lb wine case
•  Ability to transport samples to appointments
•  Ability to travel throughout NY and out of state
•  Smartphone & computer skills are essential
•  Existing knowledge of territory is important; you must reside in NYC
•  Appropriate authorization to work in the United States

Compensation
•  Base + competitive bonus structure
•  Medical/Dental/Vision insurance
•  401K with tiered company match
•  Travel and Expenses