Contract Sales Manager (6 Month) - Hybrid

We are a fast-growing, mission-driven company redefining the non-alcoholic beverage space with bold, innovative, and healthy products. Our beverages combine health-conscious ingredients with globally inspired flavors, delivering a sophisticated alternative for mindful consumers. We are looking for a passionate and strategic Sales Manager to drive our growth across retail, on-premise, and e-commerce channels.

Position Summary (Temporary - Maternity Leave Coverage, with potential for ongoing role)

The Contract Sales Manager will play a pivotal role in maintaining and expanding our brand’s presence with in store merchandising efforts, executing our go-to-market promo and placement strategies, and managing customer relationships.

Key Responsibilities

• In Store Merchandising Efforts: Spend 30% of time in stores connecting with team members/store managers while closing distribution voids, building displays, and doing ride alongs with broker/distributor partners
• Sales Strategy & Execution: Execute trade and distribution goals that align with overall company objectives.
• Customer Relationship Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with key retail buyers, distributors, brokers, and on-premise partners.
• Retail Expansion: Identify and close new retail opportunities across grocery, specialty, and alcohol channels. Coordinate with broker to submit products for retail category reviews and resets, and promotional schedules.
• Performance Tracking: Comfortable analyzing sales data and using insights to adjust strategies and improve execution.
• Trade Marketing Collaboration: Manage trade marketing and broker/merchandising teams to plan and execute promo activities and product demos.
• Inventory Management: Oversee distributor/wholesaler orders and ensure inventory alignment to minimize OOS and support launches/promos.
• Merchandising Management: lead third-party merchandising teams to ensure on-shelf availability, and execute local in-store merchandising where needed.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of sales experience in the beverage or CPG industry, preferably in non-alcoholic or functional beverage categories.
• Proven success in managing retail accounts and/or distributor networks.
• Strong oral and written communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Data-driven with experience using Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and sales dashboards.
• Understanding of retail price dynamics.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a passion for wellness, sustainability, or better-for-you products.
• Capable of supporting local events and in-store merchandising.
• Ability to travel up to 30% of the time, as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience launching a brand in a new market or region, including within a startup environment.
• Existing relationships with national and regional grocery or convenience chains.
• Background in natural/specialty retail or direct-store-delivery (DSD) environments.
• Experience exhibiting at trade shows, including booth setup, lead generation, and representing the brand to buyers and industry partners.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary + performance-based bonus
• A mission-driven, inclusive team culture
• Career growth in a high-impact startup environment