Employment Opportunities
CA – SALES AMBASSADOR, ITALIAN PORTFOLIO
This is a statewide sales and market-facing position. The Italian Sales Ambassador will report to the Director of Sales and General Manager, while working in tandem with the Italian portfolio team to ensure alignment on portfolio priorities and tactical execution in the market.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Prior sales experience in wholesale wine distribution, 5 years minimum
- High level knowledge and passion for Italian wine, cuisine and culture
- Established network of restaurant and retail relationships within California
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Detail oriented and solution focused
- Ability to manage time and prioritize tasks efficiently and effectively
- Computer experience necessary, including proficiency in professional email, MS Office, point-of-sale or sales database systems
- Los Angeles Metro or San Francisco Bay Area based
- College degree preferred
- Fluency in Italian strongly preferred
- Must be able to lift 50lbs.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Brand Representation and Direct Sales:
- Act as the on the ground sales arm for the wineries featured in the Italian portfolio, interfacing with both clients and sales representatives statewide to increase portfolio sales
- The brand ambassador is expected to spend approximately 75% of their time in the market building relationships and conducting tasting appointments with customers, independently as well as regularly engaging with and working with sales reps
Strategic Execution & Analysis:
- Work closely with Sales and Portfolio management teams to ensure core brands and portfolio priorities are given ample focus and precedence in the market
- Assist sales team with developing strategic plans for core and focus wineries within their territories
- Deliver successful program results by assisting the sales team in reaching their individual Italian portfolio goals
- Help analyze Italian business trends and opportunities across territories
Key Account Involvement:
- Build relationships with key on and off-premise customers in every territory
- Schedule meetings to make presentations, review business, and discuss special opportunities
- Develop strategic plans for additional market penetration with the sales teams
Networking:
- Continuously build a robust network of industry contacts within the wine community
- Attend various events, tastings, and networking functions to cultivate relationships and enhance the visibility of our portfolio
- Engage in regular customer support and entertainment
Market Work:
- Participate actively in market work with visiting suppliers under the direction of the Italian portfolio team
- Collaborate with the Italian Portfolio Team and Director of Sales to manage the market work calendar and assignments efficiently
Events and Travel:
- Lead wine tastings and educational sessions, and interact with consumers to boost sales, brand recognition, and cultivate loyalty.
- Coordinate with the events and design team to provide necessary materials for the corresponding event.
- Assist with the planning of detailed itineraries for sales trips to wine-producing regions, including accommodation and transportation arrangements
COMPENSATION
Commensurate with experience: $80K-100K
Interested candidates, please contact Erica Skurnik at es@skurnik.com.
CA – SALES REPRESENTATIVE, GREATER MONTERERY (BIG SUR TO SANTA CRUZ)
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Prior sales experience working in wholesale distribution is strongly preferred, though not required. Candidates with commensurate retail and/or restaurant experience will also be considered.
- High level of expansive wine and spirits knowledge
- Understanding of the greater Monterey Peninsula wine & spirits marketplace and relevant competition
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Ability to self-start and work independently
- Detail-oriented and solution-focused
- Ability to manage time and prioritize tasks efficiently and effectively
- Computer experience necessary, utilizing all tools within Microsoft Office
- Must have a current driver’s license, auto insurance, reliable transportation
- Must be able to lift 50 lbs
REPORTS TO:
- Regional Sales Manager
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Manage and develop geographical territory, cultivating relationships with customers via face-to-face visits and phone/email correspondence
- Develop expertise of Skurnik’s deep portfolio of wines and spirits from around the world as the fundamental tool to establishing successful sales
- Work in conjunction with Portfolio Management and Spirits Specialists to facilitate sales opportunities
- Participate in market work assignments with visiting winery and spirits suppliers
- Participate in monthly sales meetings
- Participate in various trade and consumer tasting events
- Learn and utilize internal operating systems to effectively follow company policies
- Perform other related duties as assigned by Management
COMPENSATION
$65-80K plus a fine benefits package, including health, dental, flexible spending, and 401K matching. (Eligibility timelines vary).
*Please note after a period on draw, this will be a fully commissioned sales position*
Interested candidates, please contact Web Bond at webond@skurnik.com.
CA – SALES REPRESENTATIVE, LOS ANGELES (KOREATOWN, DTLA, SILVERLAKE)
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Prior sales experience working in wholesale distribution is strongly preferred, though not required. Candidates with commensurate retail and/or restaurant experience will also be considered.
- High level of expansive wine and spirits knowledge
- Understanding of the greater Los Angeles wine & spirits marketplace and relevant competition
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Ability to self-start and work independently
- Detail-oriented and solution-focused
- Ability to manage time and prioritize tasks efficiently and effectively
- Computer experience necessary, utilizing all tools within Microsoft Office
- Must have a current driver’s license, auto insurance, reliable transportation
- Must be able to lift 50 lbs
REPORTS TO:
Regional Sales Manager
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Manage and develop geographical territory, cultivating relationships with customers via face-to-face visits and phone/email correspondence
- Develop expertise of Skurnik’s deep portfolio of wines and spirits from around the world as the fundamental tool to establishing successful sales
- Work in conjunction with Portfolio Management and Spirits Specialists to facilitate sales opportunities
- Participate in market work assignments with visiting winery and spirits suppliers
- Participate in monthly sales meetings
- Participate in various trade and consumer tasting events
- Learn and utilize internal operating systems to effectively follow company policies
- Perform other related duties as assigned by Management
COMPENSATION:
This is a commission-based sales position that also includes a fine benefits package, including health, dental, flexible spending, and 401K matching (Eligibility timelines vary).
Interested candidates, please contact Michael Young at myoung@skurnik.com.
CA – SALES REPRESENTATIVE, PALO ALTO TO SAN JOSE
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Prior sales experience working in wholesale distribution is strongly preferred, though not required. Candidates with commensurate retail and/or restaurant experience will also be considered.
- High level of expansive wine and spirits knowledge
- Understanding of the greater Palo Alto/San Jose wine & spirits marketplace and relevant competition
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Ability to self-start and work independently
- Detail-oriented and solution-focused
- Ability to manage time and prioritize tasks efficiently and effectively
- Computer experience necessary, utilizing all tools within Microsoft Office
- Must have a current driver’s license, auto insurance, reliable transportation
- Must be able to lift 50 lbs
REPORTS TO:
Regional Sales Manager
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Manage and develop geographical territory, cultivating relationships with customers via face-to-face visits and phone/email correspondence
- Develop expertise of Skurnik’s deep portfolio of wines and spirits from around the world as the fundamental tool to establishing successful sales
- Work in conjunction with Portfolio Management and Spirits Specialists to facilitate sales opportunities
- Participate in market work assignments with visiting winery and spirits suppliers
- Participate in monthly sales meetings
- Participate in various trade and consumer tasting events
- Learn and utilize internal operating systems to effectively follow company policies
- Perform other related duties as assigned by Management
COMPENSATION:
$65-80K plus a fine benefits package, including health, dental, flexible spending, and 401K matching. (Eligibility timelines vary).
*Please note after a period on draw, this will be a fully commissioned sales position*
Interested candidates, please contact Web Bond at webond@skurnik.com.
CA – SPIRITS SPECIALIST, LOS ANGELES
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Assisting Skurnik Sales Reps
- Account visits
- Spirits Samples and Sampling
- Spirits Education
- Cocktail Menu Development and R&D
Customer Service & Hospitality
- Assisting in communicating directly with Skurnik customers for the purpose of generating sales and continuous education
- In Store Spirits Tastings
- Staff trainings
- Problem solving
- Advising
Participation in Skurnik and Skurnik affiliated meetings, activities and events
- Sales Meetings
- Seminars
- Trainings
- Other in office and out of office activities
Completing sales-focused initiatives, goals and incentives
Inner-Company and External Communication
- Ability to craft timely, professional and accurate emails and other communication
Reporting & Data Analytics (on job training)
- Working knowledge of various technologies to assist in planning, action and follow up.
Assist in creating Spirits related content (as needed)
REQUIREMENTS:
- 3 + years of sales experience to include Alcohol Beverage, Hospitality, Culinary, Bars, Supplier/Wholesale, or tasting room experience.
- Travel is required along with a car and a clean driving record
- Microsoft Office
COMPENSATION
Based on experience: $65K-80K
Interested candidates, please contact Alex Stroth at astroth@skurnik.com.
CA – CUSTOMER SERVICE, SALES SUPPORT TEAM
We are seeking candidates with self-starting personalities, with the ability to multi-task, problem solve, and communicate effectively. With an expanding portfolio of wines, spirit and sake, our sales team is growing, and the company has a long history of promotion from within for future sales and operations positions.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Sales Order Entry
- Order entry via phone and email
- Order management for app, web and automated orders
- Sales Team Support
- Customer Service
- Delivery ETAs
- Reporting
- House account sales
- Events: In Store Tastings, Staff Trainings, Trade Tastings
- Interdepartmental support for: Logistics, Finance, Design, Events & Compliance
- Special Projects, as needed for customers, suppliers, sales and operations
QUALIFICATIONS:
- 2 years’ experience in wine or spirits industry: restaurant, retail, wholesale
- Knowledge of major wine regions, producers, and grape varieties
- Effective communication skills
- Computer proficiency
- Microsoft: Outlook, Word, Excel
- iOS devices and applications
- Internet navigation
OPPORTUNITIES:
- Continued wine & spirit education
- Priority for internal promotion
COMPENSATION
- Salary Range: $45,000 – $55,000, commensurate with experience
- Start Date: January 1, 2025
Interested candidates, please contact Chase Brunson at cbrunson@skurnik.com.
CA – SPIRITS SPECIALIST, SAN FRANCISCO
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Assisting Skurnik Sales Reps
- Account visits
- Spirits Samples and Sampling
- Spirits Education
- Cocktail Menu Development and R&D
Customer Service & Hospitality
- Assisting in communicating directly with Skurnik customers for the purpose of generating sales and continuous education
- In Store Spirits Tastings
- Staff trainings
- Problem solving
- Advising
Participation in Skurnik and Skurnik affiliated meetings, activities and events
- Sales Meetings
- Seminars
- Trainings
- Other in office and out of office activities
Completing sales-focused initiatives, goals and incentives
Inner-Company and External Communication
- Ability to craft timely, professional and accurate emails and other communication
Reporting & Data Analytics (on job training)
- Working knowledge of various technologies to assist in planning, action and follow up
Assist in creating Spirits related content (as needed)
REQUIREMENTS:
- 3 + years of sales experience to include Alcohol Beverage, Hospitality, Culinary, Bars, Supplier/Wholesale, or tasting room experience.
- Travel is required along with a car and a clean driving record
- Microsoft Office
COMPENSATION
Based on experience: $65K-80K
Interested candidates, please contact Alex Stroth at astroth@skurnik.com.
KY – SPIRITS SPECIALIST
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Expand footprint of Skurnik spirits in Kentucky through:
- New account openings in three primary territories
- Louisville
- Lexington
- Northern KY (Cincinnati metro)
- Secondary areas of focus
- Southwestern KY (Paducah/Murray)
- Bowling Green
- Distant suburbs of metro markets
- Bardstown, Midway, Versailles
- Develop existing accounts with the sales team by expanding Skurnik representation through new placements, staff education and events.
- Conduct staff trainings on and off premise
- Schedule and lead consumer events in partnership with on and off premise accounts
- Participate in monthly company meetings and events
- Complete sales-focused initiatives, goals and incentives
- We expect you’ll see a minimum of eight accounts per day in the market.
- This can be accomplished through a combination of cold calling, scheduled presentations or intentional follow-up with existing accounts.
- You will be responsible for building out your schedule day to day and week to week
- You’ll develop and discuss a list of “top” targets for us to prioritize.
- Training will cover the various processes for opening a new account
DEVELOPING EXISTING ACCOUNTS:
- Working congruently with the sales team to develop and grow business within existing accounts
- Presenting to spirits buyers
- Actively soliciting for cocktail placements
- Cocktail construction
- Scheduling instore tastings and events to support new placements or key accounts
PARTICIPATION IN SKURNIK AND SKURNIK AFFILIATED MEETING, ACTIVITIES, AND EVENTS:
- General Sales Meetings
- Spirits Seminars and other Spirits-related education
- Account “activations”
- Spirits Trade Tastings
- Other in office and out of office Spirits-related activities
COMPLETE GOALS AND INCENTIVES:
- You’ll receive quarterly goals.
- Your manager will discuss these with you and work with you to develop a strategy for reaching them.
- Executing the agreed upon strategy and reaching those goals is necessary for the growth of the company, and to meet your compensation targets.
- Market presence, number of new account openings, new placements, events and education all contribute to reaching the goals set.
REPORTING AND DATA ANALYTICS (ON THE JOB TRAINING):
- Working knowledge of various technologies to assist in planning, action and follow up.
- Training on multi-Excel based tools/reports and in-house ERP provided.
REQUIREMENTS:
- 3 + years of sales experience to include Alcohol Beverage, Hospitality, Culinary, Bars, Supplier/Wholesale, or tasting room experience.
- Travel is required along with a car and a clean driving record
- Microsoft Office
If you’re a self-motivated, hardworking, and organized individual with a passion for Spirits and customer service we’d love to hear from you. Apply today!
Interested candidates, please contact Tony Bove at tbove@skurnik.com.
NY – ASSISTANT PORTFOLIO MANAGER, ITALIAN PORTFOLIO
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Expertise in Italian Wine
- Knowledge of Skurnik producers
- Understanding of the marketplace and relevant competition
- Experience in wine distribution preferred
- Administration experience with MS Office suite, ERP Systems
- High level of dedication, professionalism, and proactivity
- Ability to develop relationships with suppliers, clients and sales teams to facilitate sales
- Detail oriented, precise, and ability to move with fluidity
PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Supplier Management related to scheduling and communications on pricing, inventory, marketing and events
- Database Management of supplier assets, tech info, website maintenance
- Production and Coordination of materials related to sales and portfolio management including content, sales meeting collateral, press submissions, prospective supplier samples, website and marketing materials
- Administrative Tasks including item creation and maintenance, and pricing
- Inventory Management providing analysis, recommendations and communications around stock levels, inventory turns, depletions, and replenishments
- Compliance facilitation between the portfolio and suppliers relating to authorizations, registrations, label approvals and import regulations
- Sales & Marketing support related to the portfolio for internal teams as well as customer facing inquires and events
SKILLS:
- Computer Literacy
- Oral Communication Skills
- Written Communication Skills
- Customer Service
- Professionalism
- Organization & Planning
- Presentation
- Project Management
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:
- College Degree
- Wine Education – 2 years minimum working in retail/restaurant or wholesale wine environment
- Italian Language Proficiency ++
- Strong computer skills required including MS Office products, Internet Navigation and ERP database structure and functionality
COMPENSATION
$65-80K, commensurate with experience
Interested candidates, please contact Erica Skurnik at es@skurnik.com.
NY – CUSTOMER SERVICE, SALES SUPPORT TEAM
We are seeking candidates with self-starting personalities, with the ability to multi-task, problem solve, and communicate effectively. With an expanding portfolio of wines, spirit and sake, our sales team is growing, and “Skurnik University” provides an excellent training and preparation for internal promotion into sales and operations positions.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- 2 years’ experience in wine or spirits industry: restaurant, retail, wholesale
- Knowledge of major wine regions, producers and grape varieties
- Effective communication skills
- Computer proficiency
- Microsoft: Outlook, Word, Excel
- iOS devices and applications
- Internet navigation
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Sales Order Entry
- Order entry via phone and email
- Order management for app, web and automated orders
- Sales Team Support
- Customer Service
- Delivery ETAs
- Reporting
- House account sales
- Events: In Store Tastings, Staff Trainings, Trade Tastings
- Interdepartmental support for: Logistics, Finance, Design, Events & Compliance
- Special Projects, as needed for customers, suppliers, sales and operations
OPPORTUNITIES:
- Continued wine & spirit education
- Priority for internal promotion
COMPENSATION
$50-55K, commensurate with experience
Interested candidates, please contact Erica Skurnik at es@skurnik.com.
NY – PORTFOLIO & SALES OPERATIONS ASSOCIATE
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Knowledge of the Skurnik Wines & Spirits portfolio
- Understanding of the United States wine & spirits marketplace and relevant importer and distributor competition
- Two years’ experience in wine & spirits distribution
- Strong skills in MS Office suite, including Word, Excel, Outlook
- Ability to develop relationships within and across departments
- Highly organized, professional and proactive
- Adaptive and flexible to handle changing priorities
- Preferred: reporting and analytics experience with Power-BI, CRM, ERP or other reporting platforms
- Preferred: experience in coaching or training to build up skills and capabilities across a team of colleagues
PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Inventory Management & Analysis
- Analysis of inventory on hand across all warehouse locations
- Highlight slow moving inventory and recommending actions to sell
- Provide analysis to uncover opportunities and identify sales patterns that need improvement
- Identify stranded inventory such as last of bin, multiple vintage or discontinued items
- Sales & Marketing
- Integration of marketing calendar into annual planning
- Cross Portfolio guides & offers
- Review inventory for inclusion /exclusion in NAV, website, external feeds, and customer virtual feeds
- Work with Sales & Portfolio Management teams to collaborate and execute on sales initiatives
- Pricing Review
- Margin analysis and reporting
- Assist with analysis on price and quantity deals across markets
- Assist in the preparation and execution of clearance and end of bin lists
- Training & Support
- Assist with NAV, Jet, and Cube training to increase reporting capabilities of management teams
- Assist in production of Portfolio Management orientation guides & maintain updates with new SOPs
- Support Portfolio and Sales Management through prepration of inbound summary reports and allocation announcements
- Administration
- Take meeting notes, organize recaps and follow up on action items and deliverables
- Assist in the creation of trackers on key brands, SKUs or customer lists
- Coordinate cross portfolio and sales management meetings such as Sales Meetings, Summits & Events
COMPENSATION
$65-80K, commensurate with experience
Interested candidates, please contact Erica Skurnik at es@skurnik.com.
NY – SALES AMBASSADOR, FRENCH PORTFOLIO
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Expertise of French wine
- Existing network of buyers & clientele
- Understanding of marketplace and relevant competition
- Knowledge of the Skurnik portfolio and producers
- Previous sales experience in retail or restaurant required
- Previous wholesale distribution sales experience preferred
PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Sales to restaurant and retail clients in local distribution networks
- Travel and sales to distributor clients in national import markets
- Client support via in-store tastings, staff trainings, promotional events
- Sales rep support, acting as informational & sales resource for sales team (including conducting ride-withs with sales reps, responding to sales-facing email inquiries)
- Education of Skurnik staff and clients through participation in sales meetings, producer seminars, office tastings, trade tastings
NEXT-LEVEL RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Crafting email-based sales materials
- Use sales reporting to identify opportunities on the brand, SKU, account, and sales-rep levels
- Potential for further market work in Midwest & California markets
TRACKING & REPORTING:
- Sales goals tracked by assigned list of clients and overall sales within the portfolio
- Participate in sales incentive programs to highlight specific items or brands
- Establish monthly requirement for # client support events
- Establish monthly requirement for # of sales rep support events such as work-withs or collaborative meetings
- Contribute to monthly sales meetings, engage clients with expected # of in office tastings, and contribute to idea generation for producer seminars and trade tastings
MANAGEMENT:
- Portfolio Sales Ambassador reports directly to Portfolio Director
- Ambassador compensated in annual salary and metric based bonus programs
- Monthly Meals & Entertainment budget
- Quarterly Sales Reviews with Portfolio Team to plan for upcoming sales seasons, re-align sales initiatives and recap progress made
- Annual performance reviews with Portfolio Director and Executive Management
COMPENSATION
$80-100K, commensurate with experience
Interested candidates, please contact France@skurnik.com.
NY – SPIRITS CONTENT & EDUCATION COORDINATOR
Seeking a creative and motivated multitasker with writing experience as well as a background in bartending. Candidate should have an eager interest in Spirits education and be ready and willing to assist in the organization, creation, and dissemination of Spirits content and sales materials for the purposes of both interdepartmental and account-facing education, trainings, and points of sale.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Highly organized
- Good at following instructions and working within a team
- Nimble at addressing and problem-solving the needs and challenges of a growing team and portfolio
- Ability to anticipate technical questions across multiple categories of spirits and customer types
- Ability to multitask and prioritize under tight deadlines
- Understands the importance of style and formatting for the purposes of continuity/branding
- Cocktail Bartending experience
- Experience in Creative Writing/Editing and Proofing/Copywriting
- Experience in Cocktail Creation and Menu Development
- Comfortable with speaking and presenting in public
ADDITIONAL SKILLS PREFERRED, BUT NOT REQUIRED:
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Word and Excel
- Experience with Adobe Suite, particularly Photoshop
- Experience on the Supplier/Distribution side of the Hospitality Industry
JOB DESCRIPTION:
- Assist in the collection and organization of spirits assets and other educational materials across several platforms including SharePoint, Microsoft Word, Excel, and the Skurnik Website
- Assist in creating and editing spirits content for the purpose of dissemination to the Skurnik Spirits Team and Skurnik Sales Team as well as creating and implementing account-facing materials and educational initiatives
- Updating spirits content on the Skurnik website
- Collection and editing of spirits copy for Skurnik events and sales initiatives
- Proofing/vetting/cataloging and basic editing of brand-related assets and imagery
- Assisting in the coordination and execution of events and educational trainings both at Skurnik HQ and remote sites
COMPENSATION:
$55-65K
Interested candidates, please contact Amanda Elder at aelder@skurnik.com.