Market Manager

This is a full-time, exempt, salaried position that reports to Fair State’s Sales Director and Leadership. This role is responsible and accountable for growing Fair State’s Minnesota market by developing strategies, leading a team, and working with our distributors and retail partners.

The MN Market Manager will develop, manage, and execute sales initiatives for Fair State throughout Minnesota. You will work closely with our MN distribution partners to grow and maintain our share through account relationships, education, inventory management, and programming. This position will be based in Minnesota with the main office location in St. Paul.

This is a role that will have a high degree of flexibility, creativity, and autonomy. We are looking for someone with prior experience who is excited to use their existing knowledge and skillset to implement sales strategies for Fair State that grows the brand, engages new audiences, and reflects Fair State’s unique position in the craft beer industry.

Tasks & Responsibilities

Oversee inventory management for distributor partners, ensuring negotiated and appropriate inventory levels to achieve goals, support all programming and activities, and avoid out-of-stocks.

Exercise independent discretion to grow Fair State’s share within assigned territory using practices such as:

• Opening new accounts
• Gaining additional draft lines/cooler placements at existing accounts
• Long-term programming/partnerships with new and existing accounts
• Conduct and execute sales presentations for new products, brand priorities and standards, sales tools, incentives, etc.
• Direct distributor focus and execution and act as the primary communicator and business manager of distributors within Minnesota
• Work collaboratively with distributor sales representatives and accounts using all available tools
• Build partnerships with community organizations to establish Fair State as a positive contributor to the market
• Keep thorough, up-to-date notes and track daily activities, including account contact info, new and closed accounts, and leads
• Monitor POS, placements, and product freshness at all accounts
• Effective communication to wholesaler regarding weekly findings in the market, CRM notes, chain updates, inventory updates, new items, promotional activity, and any additional items deemed necessary to share
• Participate and lead team conversations about sales strategy using field experience, market feedback, and industry/market knowledge to provide perspective on strategic sales decisions
• Travel required within designated territory up to four days per week. Some out of state travel possible to attend conferences, festivals, crew drives, etc.
• Oversee & develop sales team and street team

Desired Experience & Capabilities

• 3+ years of brewery and/or distributor sales management experience, preferably in Minnesota
• Passion and drive to grow our presence and share
• Experience working with and managing a sales team
• Outstanding written communication skills
• Comfortable with limited supervision and able to make decisions independently
• Ability to gather, analyze, and interpret data to make decisions and prepare persuasive recommendations
• Deep knowledge of our customers’ businesses and ability to help them succeed working with us
• Excellent judgment, outstanding professionalism, and exemplary communication and teamwork skills
• Key account and chain experience preferred

Requirements

• At least 21 years of age at time of application
• Able to use Microsoft Office tools (including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint)
• Able to lift up to 50lbs and maneuver and place 165lbs kegs
• Previous experience with CRM and inventory tracking systems preferred

Compensation and Benefits

• 8 hours of pay for each of the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, the day after Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day
• Medical insurance, with at least 50% of employee premiums and at least 25% of spouse and dependent premiums paid for by Fair State
• Dental and vision insurance, with 50% of employee, spouse, and dependent premiums paid by Fair State
• Short- and Long-Term Disability, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, and life insurance coverage, with 100% of premiums paid by Fair State
• Flexible savings account for medical and dependent care
• 160 hours of paid parental leave in the 12 months following, or the 9 months prior to, the birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child in your home
• Employee Assistance Program
• Annual safety equipment stipend
• Employee beer stipend
• Merchandise and beer discounts
• Monthly vehicle stipend