What are the responsibilities and job description for the National Wine Sales Manager position at The Talent Shop?
Job Description
An established specialty wine importer is seeking a National Sales Manager to lead sales across the New England and Northeast region. This is a hands?on, market?driven role focused on managing distributor relationships, executing thoughtful brand building, and growing revenue across a proven portfolio with deep market penetration.
This position replaces a long?tenured, highly successful salesperson and is not a turnaround or rebuild. The territory is established, relationships are real, and success comes from disciplined execution, planning, and follow?through.
Territory Coverage
Role Responsibilities
An established specialty wine importer is seeking a National Sales Manager to lead sales across the New England and Northeast region. This is a hands?on, market?driven role focused on managing distributor relationships, executing thoughtful brand building, and growing revenue across a proven portfolio with deep market penetration.
This position replaces a long?tenured, highly successful salesperson and is not a turnaround or rebuild. The territory is established, relationships are real, and success comes from disciplined execution, planning, and follow?through.
Territory Coverage
- New York
- Massachusetts
- Rhode Island
- Maine
- Vermont
- New Jersey
- Parts of Pennsylvania
Role Responsibilities
- Manage and grow distributor relationships throughout the territory
- Spend significant time in market conducting ride?withs, sales meetings, and key account visits
- Work directly with distributors and select direct?to?retail (DTR) accounts
- Drive revenue across a large, diverse portfolio while maintaining clear focus on core brands
- Plan territory activity in advance and execute consistently
- Build brands thoughtfully over time rather than chasing short?term placements
- Represent producers professionally and knowledgeably in the market
- Track performance with a simple, clear metric: sales productivity in dollars
- Long?term annual sales target of $1,000,000
- Monthly run rate of approximately $83,000
- Approximately 9?month ramp?up period
- Core brands should represent 60% of total revenue
- Growth is expected over time, not immediately
- Approximately 100–120 days per year on the road
- Primarily car?based travel (not a fly?in / fly?out role)
- Overnight travel is a regular part of the job
- 3–5 years of supplier or importer sales experience
- 7–10 years total experience in the wine trade
- Background with small to mid?sized specialty importers preferred
- Strong organizational and planning skills
- High energy, curiosity, and self?motivation
- Comfortable working autonomously with accountability
- Enjoys long?term brand development and disciplined execution
- Low?energy, high?maintenance profiles are not a fit
- Base salary: $80,000
- Bonus: Up to $50,000 based on sales productivity
- Monthly expenses: $2,500 ($30,000 annually)
- Health insurance fully paid
- Dental insurance optional (employee?paid)
- 10 days paid vacation
- Standard paid holidays
- Potential annual wine trip (at ownership’s discretion)
Salary : $30,000 - $1,000,000