Wine Consultant

St. Joseph, MI
Full Time
Experienced
PRIMARY FUNCTIONS:
This sales consultant position provides professional service and advice for all products in their category for each of their assigned accounts.  Responsible for understanding in-store and on-premise product, category and selling principles and to suggest uses of these principles in each of their retail accounts.  Manage territory in such a way that both the suppliers, the distributor and their retail accounts will obtain the best possible sales from the products the consultant is responsible for presenting. This position will include travel to the lakeshore, Lansing, St. Joseph, Kalamazoo, and Battle Creek areas.

Oversee accounts on a scheduled call frequency selling in new placements, displays, promotions, features and educational initiatives and to communicate these initiatives to the Route Sales Representative. Make appointments and develop presentations to assigned accounts to further develop brands within the category. Plan and present educational classes to the local sales teams to help grow their understanding and ability to sell their portfolio. Maintain relationships with local independent grocery to help advise on product selection, displays, and pricing.


QUALIFICATIONS:
  1. 5+ years sales experience, beverage industry preferred
  2. Strong wine knowledge
  3. Wine certification encouraged
  4. Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, profit margins and percentages. 
  5. Must have a valid driver’s license
  6. Ability to obtain a Michigan Liquor Control Card
  7. Must have strong communication, decision making and organizational skills and be computer proficient
  8. Must be results oriented with a strong commitment to customer service.
  9. Must be willing and able to travel within given territory and attend after-hours promotions for assigned customer base
Benefits:​​​
  • Great Health Benefits.
    • Medical - Three low premium plans for you to choose from.​​​​​​
      1. A completely free plan for you and your entire family with a generous company HSA contribution
      2. A low-cost plan with an HSA contribution
      3. A low deductible plan with an FSA option
    • Dental
    • Vision
  • Other ancillary benefits.
    • 401(k) plan with company match
    • Company Paid Life Insurance
    • Company Paid Accidental Death and Dismemberment
    • Company Paid Short Term Disability
    • Paid Time Off
    • Paid Sick Time
    • Paid Parental Leave
  • Mileage reimbursement. Our employees are compensated per mile for the use of their own car.
  • Opportunity for advancement.  We look internally to fill positions to help our employees advance in their careers.
  • Product discounts.  We offer generous employee discounts on product purchases.


PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Have the ability to stand on a hard surface for up to 4 hours at a time. Bend to lift product including cases and kegs, weighing up to 165 lb. each, using both hands. Be able to see products and discern dissimilar colors, and numbers. Must be able to effectively communicate with customers, subordinates, management and co-workers. Be able to listen to instruction both face to face, and over the phone.  Ability to stand, walk and move in & out of a vehicle throughout the day

JOB STATION:
Work is performed both at Alliance Beverage, within a cubical workstation, in a vehicle and at customers locations.

 

About Alliance Beverage:

Chicago native Larry Gary settled in Hastings, MI, where he owned and operated a bowling alley. In 1963, Larry and his wife, Joan, decided a change was in order; they moved to the Grand Rapids area, where Larry founded Kent Beverage.

Detroit native Tim Sullivan, along with his brother Mike, founded Sullivan Brothers Construction on the east side of the state. However, after seeing his friends thrive in the beer distribution business, Tim decided to make a change, purchasing Grand Rapids' B&B Beer in 1977.

Both companies grew and flourished, passing from one generation to the next, each strengthening its roots in Michigan. Eventually, over a shared pint, the Gary and Sullivan families envisioned a stronger future together. On May 13, 2013, Kent Beverage and B&B Beer merged, forming Alliance Beverage—a company committed to being the “Preferred Distributor” for everyone it interacts with.

From day one, Alliance has prioritized recruiting top talent and upholding the highest standards of integrity, teamwork, and respect, aiming to enrich the lives of associates, customers, suppliers, and the community. By offering a diverse range of quality products and a supportive, accountable environment, we continually seek to create positive and lasting relationships.

Today, Alliance Beverage is a team of over 550, proudly serving more than 6,000 customers across Western Michigan. With three distribution centers and six sales offices, our team members are not just employees—they’re neighbors who are actively involved in the communities they serve.

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