State Manager
$100k - $115k/yr+ Performance-based bonus
Senior
Bachelor's
Fairfax, VA, USA
In PersonTravel within the territory required up to 50% of the time.
Sales & Account ManagementField Sales
About the job
Requirements
- A Bachelor’s degree.
- At least five years of experience selling fine wines in both on-premise and off-premise accounts.
- Experience managing distributors, including inventory, pricing, and programming.
- Experience developing new business, managing existing accounts, and recovering lost accounts.
- Exceptional closing skills and strong verbal, written, and organizational skills.
- Passion for and knowledge of wine, wine regions, and the wine industry.
- Strong computer skills, particularly Microsoft Excel.
- A valid driver’s license.
- At least 21 years of age.
- Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds comfortably.
- Ability to walk, stand, climb, balance, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, or crouch on a daily basis.
- Willingness and ability to travel within the territory up to 50% of the time.
Responsibilities
- Manage distributor relationships, including inventory, pricing, and programming, while driving sales to key accounts.
- Partner with suppliers and distributor managers, execute special events, and provide market insights to the Group Manager for the Southeastern United States.
- Focus 60% of the role on distributor and market management and 40% on account management.
- Manage inventory, pricing, and programming for the entire market.
- Manage sales, local marketing fund, and travel and expense budgets, and process distributor accounts receivable invoices.
- Develop and maintain a key account list, including personal relationships with key buyers, owners, and managers.
- Work with the distributor network, suppliers, Portfolio Specialists, Channel Teams, and corporate office.
- Work with multiple local distributors to ensure adequate street and sales meeting time with distributor management and representatives.
- Propose and conduct on-premise and off-premise promotional events.
- Conduct wine tastings and wine dinners for consumers and trade.
- Review monthly sales team performance and key account performance.
- Identify market trends and opportunities and propose action plans for all markets.
- Manage regional quota and sales team quota for depletions, placements, and qualitative efforts.
- Conduct regular performance review meetings with distributor management, including future action plans for goal attainment in all areas.
Desired Qualifications
- A Certified Specialist of Wine, Wine & Spirit Education Trust, or similar qualification.
About the company
Kobrand Wine & Spirits imports and markets a diverse portfolio of wines and spirits from around the world. It curates brands from major regions, spanning Old World and New World, including specialty spirits and cocktail components. The company signs producers and partners with retailers, restaurants, and distributors to bring brands to market, focusing on quality and strong producer relationships. Its goal is to grow a long-term business by offering high-quality, relevant products and maintaining close ties to winemakers, distillers, etc.
Company Size
201-500
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
New York City, New York
Founded
1944
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Johnson Brothers expanded Kobrand into Hawaii on March 30, 2026.
- Kobrand launched Mr. Soju in 2026, broadening beyond classic European wine.
- Tour d'Italia 2026 in Boston, Miami, Austin, and Los Angeles strengthens trade demand.
What critics are saying
- Distributor dependence deepened after Regal's California appointment and Johnson Brothers' Hawaii expansion.
- Premium portfolio concentration exposes Kobrand to supplier defections and regional distributor conflicts.
- If faster rivals win California and Hawaii placements, Kobrand loses shelf access and relevance.
What makes Kobrand Wine & Spirits unique
- Kobrand's 1944 family ownership and premium curation anchor its luxury importer brand.
- Regal Wine Company became Kobrand's exclusive California distributor on June 12, 2025.
- Kobrand paired iconic suppliers like Taittinger, Jadot, Sassicaia, and Domaine Carneros.
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Benefits
- Performance Bonus