Area Sales Manager

Area Sales Manager – Pacific Northwest

Location: Field Territory: Oregon / Washington (greater Seattle & greater Portland focus) Schedule: Monday–Friday Compensation: 80,000 - 100,000 base + uncapped variable compensation

Mission Statement — Downeast Cider

"If we create value for customers, we create value for ourselves in fulfilling work and robust compensation. This requires a world-class brand and a world-class team."

Mission Statement — Area Sales Manager

As the Area Sales Manager for the Pacific Northwest, you will build Downeast's business in Oregon and Washington from the ground up. You are the primary owner of the market — wholesaler management, account execution, and local sales strategy all run through you. Your mission is to successfully launch the market and deliver sustainable distribution, volume, and brand presence in the country's largest cider market, moving Downeast toward becoming the #1 hard cider in America.

Who You Are

You are someone who:

• Is energized by prospecting, closing, and winning in the field
• Thrives operating independently in a remote market with limited day-to-day supervision
• Takes full ownership of results — you'd rather build something from scratch than maintain someone else's machine
• Is highly organized and can simultaneously manage wholesaler priorities, account coverage, inventory, budgets, reporting, and follow-up
• Uses sales and distribution data to prioritize opportunities and adjust execution
• Communicates clearly and consistently, and is comfortable leading wholesaler meetings and presenting to sales teams
• Builds trust with wholesaler leadership, sales reps, and account decision-makers
• Handles rejection well and wins the market with work ethic and hustle
• Brings passion and enthusiasm for craft cider and the Downeast brand

Key Responsibilities

Launch the Market

• Own the successful launch and ongoing development of Downeast across Oregon and Washington, with clear accountability for volume, distribution, and execution goals
• Build the market's account universe from the ground up: identify the highest-potential opportunities, secure new placements, and develop early accounts into productive, long-term customers
• Serve as Downeast's primary representative in the Pacific Northwest

Sell, Sell, Sell

• Conduct in-person sales and prospecting activity across on- and off-premise accounts
• Prospect, pitch, and close new accounts across greater Seattle and greater Portland
• Seek out and secure merchandising, display, and promotional opportunities

Own the Wholesaler Relationship

• Own all day-to-day communication, planning, and execution with assigned wholesaler partners
• Build strong relationships with wholesaler leadership, sales managers, field representatives, chain teams, and key decision-makers, establishing Downeast as a preferred supplier partner
• Establish clear goals and priorities for wholesaler sales teams and ensure consistent communication, training, incentives, tracking, and follow-up

Run the Business End

• Manage local wholesaler programming, budgets, incentives, point-of-sale materials, tastings, events, and other market investments
• Ensure spending is aligned with commercial priorities

Preferred Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in beverage alcohol sales, CPG sales, distributor management, or a similarly field-driven sales role
• Strong field selling ability with the confidence to prospect, handle rejection, build relationships, and close new business
• Strong communication, time management, and organizational skills
• Strong analytical skills — comfortable using sales and distribution data to drive decisions
• Valid driver's license and reliable vehicle
• At least 21 years old (federal & state alcohol regulations)
• Must reside within the territory

Bonus Points

• Existing relationships with Oregon/Washington wholesalers or key on-premise accounts
• Prior new-market launch or brand-building experience
• Experience in alcohol / beer / wine / spirits
• Comfortable using CRM software (VIP/KARMA)
• Proficient in Google Suite

Don't check every box? We value grit, hustle, and passion. If this role speaks to you, apply with a one-page cover letter explaining why you, no "to whom it may concern" required.

What We Offer

• Unlimited PTO
• Paid holidays
• Variable compensation — this role includes uncapped quarterly variable compensation with a 20% target and 40% stretch benchmark; actual earnings may exceed benchmarks based on performance
• 401(k) with 4% company match
• Health & dental insurance
• Company-paid short-term disability
• Mileage and expense reimbursement
• Monthly phone stipend (up to $100/month)
• Sales training/retreats
• Regular team contests with additional financial incentives
• Eligibility for our annual Elite Slinger's Club trip (last year: Puerto Rico)
• Company-wide holiday party
• Cider allowance (hope your fridge is big)

about downeast cider:

we first started fermenting batches of cider up at bates college in 2011. we have a few more teammates now. you can now buy our cider in tens of thousands of retailers, not just a couple of bars in central maine. it takes us 15 minutes to make a pallet of cider, not the 12 hours it took in the early days. we're diversifying beyond cider. but our aim remains the same:

we aspire to be an enduring company. if we create value for our customers, we create value for ourselves through fulfilling work and robust compensation. to do this requires a world-class brand, and a world-class team.

we define our culture by seven principles. you can read more about those principles here.

we like to hire the way we like our cider, unfiltered. with the understanding that we can learn and grow from each other's differences, we are proud to hire regardless of gender, race, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, disability, age, or anything else that makes us who we are.