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National Wine Sales Manager
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
- New York
- Massachusetts
- Rhode Island
- Maine
- Vermont
- New Jersey
- Parts of Pennsylvania
Candidates must live within the Northeast / New England region.
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
Performance Expectations
- 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
Travel Requirements
- 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
Ideal Candidate Profile
- 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
Compensation & Benefits
- 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)
Meet Your Recruiter
Dan Heltzel
Managing Partner
Dan spent 20 years serving our country, as an officer recruiter for the Navy, recruiting some of the most challenging and niche roles the country had to offer. He led a large team that made significant placements and was awarded top recruiter in the nation for three years in a row. While in the Navy, Dan earned his M.B.A., in Leadership.
After retiring from the Navy, he found a true passion for hospitality recruitment as he spent time working with high-volume restaurant groups in Washington, DC. Dan’s immediate success in the private sector leveraged his extensive training and the high expectations of the US Military. Dan combines his expertise in recruiting with his personal network in the restaurant industry and passion, leading The Talent Shop as our Managing Partner.
Dan is a Dad, Husband, avid tennis player, collector of bourbon, and is as comfortable in a fine restaurant as he is in a sports bar watching his favorite teams.