Vice President of Sales at Artifact Cider Project in MA

[ArtifactCider_Jake]

Vice President of Sales
Reports to: Co-Owner/Founder

Please send a resume and cover letter to jake at artifactcider.com

What we’re looking for:
A motivated and self-directed leader to lead the expansion of a family of fast-growing craft cider brands. Key attributes include confidence in your ability to build long-term, profitable relationships with large retail accounts and distribution partners, and the ability to lead and compliment an ambitious sales team. You’re someone for whom selling feels second nature and you’re thoughtful about the way you educate and connect with others. Organization, communication, problem-solving, and time management are some of your strong points. You have the ability to both develop a strategy and lead a team through its execution.

About Us:
Artifact Cider Project, launched in 2014, focuses on showcasing the diversity of the cider category through unique, complex, apple-driven blends. In 2022, we spun-off perennial fan-favorite Feels Like Home into its own cider brand offering easy going juicy ciders to a broader audience. The company has a robust distribution business to 17 states, as well as direct-to-customer shipping nationally. Cider fans in Massachusetts can visit our two taprooms, located at our production facility in Florence, or in the city at The Station in Cambridge.

Summary of the position:
Strategically lead a small team to organize and execute sales activities that will help us achieve our ambitious company sales goals. You will be expected to maintain and grow relationships with national account level retail beverage buyers, plus foster new relationships with additional chains by securing brand authorizations and creating/activating data-led sales and marketing programs. The VP of Sales will also be responsible for managing and building strong relationships with our distribution partners, as well as managing and creating systems and sales protocols for our existing internal sales team. This includes hiring and training for two new sales positions in the first six months; we are actively putting additional resources into growing the Sales team. Additionally, this role will utilize CRM software and other technology platforms, provide brand support through market activities and educational events, curate marketing efforts for the retail channel, create customized promotional programming, and assist with pricing structures. While this is an executive level position, the right candidate will be humble enough to partake in field sales, take direction from peers, and maintain the right growth mindset to assist in various ways that are mutually beneficial to the company as well as to the team.


PREFERRED CAPABILITIES AND COMPETENCIES

• Knowledge and appreciation for the alcoholic beverage, hospitality, food and/or other consumer packaged goods industry, including knowledge of market and industry trends, competitors, and leading customer strategies
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills with the ability to work with a variety of personalities, seeking common ground and understanding

• Proven ability to identify, implement and leverage data to create a compelling sales story for retailers and distributors, as well as the analytical skills to implement data-led selling strategies

• Experience with category management and/or interpreting syndicated data from companies like IRI and/or Nielsen
• Proficient computer skills, including but not limited to Google Suite and Microsoft Office; comfort with various software programs and databases; experience with a CRM and/or Ekos is a plus
• Ability to build brands through key retail accounts across all premise types and classes of trade

• Coordination with territory sales representatives for unified brand activations and sales efforts, including working congruently with existing sales management

• Management of chain accounts, including but not limited to seeking out new national account partners, organizing and executing authorization meetings, and maintaining relationships with key chain retail partners
• Active participation in the Annual Business Planning process for distributors and key retail partners
• Understanding of how to build business plans and brand program activations for consumer packaged goods, including partnership with our marketing team to create retail focused materials and in-store promotions that will drive sales and maximize branded point of sale exposure in our accounts
• Strong work ethic, both when working independently and as part of a team

• Embody and demonstrate core alignment with the vision, principles, and values of Artifact LLC

EXPERIENCE AND REQUIREMENTS

• Based in or around Northampton, MA or Cambridge, MA while embracing the frequent travel is a necessary part of this position
• 8+ years of consumer packaged goods brand management experience required; experience in the beverage alcohol space and three-tier system is a plus

• Previous leadership and/or management experience with direct reports required; experience building, mentoring and leading high-performance sales teams preferred

• Knowledge of wholesaler/distributor management best practices is required
• Knowledge of production of beverage alcohol of any kind, especially cider, is preferred

• Able to work a flexible schedule outside of regular business hours, including some nights and weekends

PHYSICAL ASPECTS YOU MIGHT ENCOUNTER

• Frequent car travel; occasional flights
• Occasional lifting of items ranging from 25-50 lbs
• Tasting of alcoholic beverages for quality control
• Regular visits to bars, restaurants, liquor stores, and other hospitality establishments
• Installation of marketing materials which could require using stools or ladders, lifting, bending, and stretching
• Being present in-person in one place for multiple hours in accordance with branded event guidelines