Position: Japanese Beverage Specialist - Off Premise Sales (NY/NJ)
Position Overview:
Works under a Team Leader as an important part of the Japanese Beverage Specialist Team, tasked with expanding the reach and market share of the MTC SAKE import portfolio in the NY/NJ area, with a specific focus on developing leads in on premise. Tasked with year over year sales growth in total revenue and gross profit, and are expected to grow total cases and PODs for the company’s alcoholic beverages category, as well as to help promote company and brand recognition and support clients as an MTC SAKE sales representative.
The appropriate candidate will be passionate & knowledgeable about the alcoholic beverages industry and/or Japanese sake, shochu, craft beers & craft spirits. They will maintain a comprehensive catalog of knowledge on the company’s brands, item details & market positioning, key market trends & competitor brands. Looking for an energetic and motivated self-starter, and an effective communicator who is fastidious with follow-up and mindful of the needs of their customers and coworkers.
Starting salary based on individual’s experience & expertise, with opportunities for annual incentives & advancement. Full benefits for employee/dependents offered at NO additional cost, including Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K, Life Insurance and industry education opportunities through Sake School of America. Various optional add-ons. Approximately 220 days of travel & market work outside of the office.
Job Responsibilities:
-Works to seeking out and develop new targets & business opportunities both independently & as directed through management.
-Serves as primary point of contact for all aspects of business with assigned accounts & regions.
-Plans & executes events and promotions to increase company beverage sales.
-Conducts beverage trainings with accounts (or internally) to share their knowledge, ignite interest, educate, communicate product details and sales techniques, etc.
-Tasked to grow new placements, communicating special pricing & promotional periods, enact effective account support protocols in conjunction with the company’s support system, and nurture important relationships to grow sales through personalized attention.
-Attends and/or organizes industry and company events to represent product lineup
-Manages special order requests & allocations for limited production/seasonal items
-Responsible for timely collection of invoice payments & proactively investigating & reporting delinquencies for assigned accounts
-Maintains & improve relationships with producers & creates plans/programs to ensure the success of their products in the market
-Monitor growth of of assigned elements of MTC’s alcoholic beverage portfolio & assists the purchasing department in setting sales estimates for the purpose of portfolio management
-Submits weekly and monthly reports on activities, goals, special events, etc.
-Submit expense reimbursements by or before outlined deadlines for mileage, parking, and tolls incurred due to the demands of the position, and any other approved work expenses.
-Works to promote sake and shochu certification programs and negotiate with Team Leader for key buyers to be granted support for such certifications
Qualifications:
Experience in the food & restaurant or alcoholic beverage industry is required.
Prior experience with Japanese sake or Japanese beers wines and spirits a plus.
Technological fluency, including use of the Microsoft suite is expected.
No Japanese language skills are required but demonstrated interest in & knowledge of Japanese culture, cuisine and/or language is a plus.
Physical Requirements:
Position may require the candidate be able to travel easily from territory to territory, drive for long periods of time, lift boxes up to 40 pounds, and be on their feet for long periods.