Key Account Specialist (Atlanta, GA and surrounding states)

BHAKTA SPIRITS - KEY ACCOUNT SPECIALIST (Atlanta, GA and surrounding states)

Are you the life of the party? Always find yourself making connections with people from all walks of life? Never shy away from knocking on doors and making new relationships?

Are you an aspiring entrepreneur looking for the best path to professional success in an environment where company culture is paramount? Someone who is hard-working, action-oriented, and persistent in the face of challenge?

Are you ready for the adventure of a lifetime?

(Please read to the end of the job post for application instructions)

THE COMPANY AND OUR MISSION

Founded by visionary entrepreneur Raj Peter Bhakta — also the founder of WhistlePig Whiskey — BHAKTA offers a luxury craft spirits portfolio of limited release Single Vintage whiskeys, brandies, rums, and more, anchored by its ancient and awe-inspiring Armagnac holdings dating back to 1868. BHAKTA Spirits is now home to the largest collection of spirits over the age of 50 and over half of the world’s spirits over the age of 100.

BHAKTA Spirits is a global drinks and hospitality company embarking on a mission to help consumers “Find Their Spirit”. We are bringing this mission to life through extraordinary entertainment and hospitality on our scenic, rural Vermont college campus that is undergoing a transformation that embodies the true spirit of American Revival. Now more than ever, America needs a place where people can come together with old friends and meet new ones, push pause to savor the gift of time, and be inspired and entertained on a journey of discovery to find their favorite spirit. We believe that BHAKTA Spirits, starting with our first location in Vermont, will breathe life into our brands and become a hub of connection and camaraderie.

Our fast-growing organization seeks bright, energetic, ambitious team members who are fired up about the idea of getting in on the ground floor of an entrepreneurial business with a hard-charging, fun-loving community of like-minded individuals, headed by a serial entrepreneur with a proven track record in this trade. As a Key Account Sales Specialist (aka “Minister of Spirits”), you will be given the responsibility to manage your territory according to our preferred account strategy. To drive trial, excitement, and sales in your market, you will execute strategy, build relationships with accounts, and collaborate with distributor partners. Moreover, you will successfully utilize the Griswold campus as the ultimate place to entertain and educate your customers and share the brand’s vision. Our highly experienced, veteran leadership team provides guidance, support, and coaching that allows team members to thrive and grow within the BHAKTA Spirits organization.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

Distributor Management

• Engage the distributor to collaborate in executing the BHATKA in market strategy, including running weekly or bi-weekly meetings with the appointed business manager.
• Oversee inventory turnover and recommend orders.
• Request and participate in monthly ride-alongs to build your network with our wholesale partners and ensure that sales representatives are properly educated on our brands and mission.
• Present BHAKTA Spirits at General Sales Meetings in alignment with our company communications.
• Host distributor representatives at Griswold Campus to drive education and custom barrel sales.

Sales

• Spend the majority of time in the field presenting to and supporting accounts daily, achieving a weekly quota for account visits set by your general manager (minimum 25 per week).
• Develop and nurture lifelong relationships with the gatekeepers (beverage directors, bartenders, retail buyers) in your territory.
• Achieve assigned KPIs, including distribution (cases & PODs), cocktail menu placements, retail displays, tasting events, and successful incentives.
• Greatly increase the BHAKTA Spirits brands’ presence in your Preferred Accounts.
• Set up consumer-facing events with retail partners, including regular in-store samplings.

Education

• Deliver category and brand-specific training to our wholesale partners to multiply our efforts in the marketplace by instilling proper sales techniques.
• Lead consumer-facing tasting events, confidently speaking about category, competitive set, technical profile, distillation, history, and company mission with confidence and engagement.
• Provide cocktail suggestions and techniques, wait staff training, retail staff trainings, and drink pairing ideas.

Administrative

• Develop proficiency with VIP/Karma for planning and account data collection.
• Submit plans and recaps in accordance with Company policy/protocols.
• Utilize Concur to manage your T&E budget to maximize ROI.

An ideal candidate must be or will possess:

• Storytellers – must be able to entertain, engage, educate, and captivate consumers of all knowledge bases and backgrounds. Naturally charismatic, charming, and magnetic. Strong presenter with demonstrated public speaking skills.
• Self-Starter— self-motivated with an entrepreneurial and enterprise mindset, having a sense of ownership of their local market and willing to work non-traditional hours (nights/weekends).
• Empathy—Must possess the ability to read other’s reactions and emotions on the fly and react appropriately. Consider opposing points of view with open-mindedness.
• Trustworthy—Core principle of the BHAKTA Spirits team. Freely exchange ideas and thoughts without ego or pretense. Receptive and open to direction. Respects deadlines and commitments.
• Teamwork—Willingness to do whatever needs to be done, regardless of whether the task falls within your job description.
• Business Acumen— Ability to collect, assess, and interpret relevant information and make sound decisions. Strong commercial awareness and selling techniques/skills. Ability to take the job to completion and “close the deal”.
• Values - Serve as brand champions for a better way of living, believing in the importance of human community and connection. Suspect that much of what ails us can be cured by turning off the computer, shutting down the smartphone, getting outdoors, and embracing time-tested lessons and values drawn from history: the importance of the active life, hard work, embracing adversity, with a focus on community, faith, fun, family, storytelling, conversation, real life, real food, real beverages, and real experiences.

QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate will ideally be based in Atlanta and able to manage multiple states, have 1+ years of relevant experience in the Consumer Goods Industry, preferably in Beer, Wine, and Spirits or luxury goods. For recent college graduates, demonstrated storytelling prowess, charisma, genuine passion for fine food and craft spirits, and a clear willingness and enthusiasm for learning can supplement work experience. Preferred qualifications include demonstrated experience in the following areas:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, history, theater or commensurate experience
• Sales experience
• Marketing and event coordination/production experience
• Well-organized and able to utilize digital platforms (VIP/Karma, Asana, MS Office)
• Industry expertise in the rare, specialty, and craft spirits space
• Previous Wholesaler or Supplier experience
• Familiar with luxury consumer brands and marketing
• Adequate knowledge of spirits categories, including but not limited to: brandy, whiskey, rum, vodka, gin, tequila, mezcal, bitters, and cordials
• Knowledge of the dynamics of the three-tier beverage alcohol distribution system
• Certified Spirits Specialist or comparative certificate
• Cocktail (Mixology) Bartending Experience

SALARY AND BENEFITS

• Commensurate with experience starting at $70k 
• Incentive potential – up to a 20% cash bonus awarded for individual and Companywide sales goals and KPI achievement.
• UAR Equity awards in accordance with Company plan and criteria.
• Comprehensive Employee Benefits Package including health, life insurance, 401K (Company Safe Harbor match)
• Travel reimbursement and expense account
• Paid Time Off = 15 days (accrued)

To apply for this position, please send your resume and cover letter, including your response to one of the prompts below:

• Take a deep breath
• Know your purpose
• Work hard and sacrifice much
• Seek truth and temper your feelings
• Sow good seeds
• Be fruitful and multiply
• Plant your roots deep

APPLICATION PROCESS:

• Screening Call 
• Virtual Interview
• Onsite Interview
• The job offer will be contingent upon a successful completion of the on-campus training program.
• On Campus Training Program: TBD
  • Housing and transportation provided