Employment Opportunities

Skurnik Wine & Spirits is looking for California based candidates interested in the Italian Sales Ambassador position. The Sales Ambassador for Skurnik Wines Italian portfolio plays a pivotal role in driving sales growth and promoting our portfolio to both our sales representatives and our customers. They will represent all the wineries in the Italian portfolio with enthusiasm and professionalism, engaging with restaurant and retail customers to provide expert guidance on wine selection.

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.

Skurnik Wines & Spirits prides ourselves on the finest selection of fine wines and spirits, and the best service and hospitality in the business, with a growing sales team. We are seeking a talented Sales Representative to build upon existing business from Palo Alto down to San Jose. This position starts January 2025.

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.

Seeking a self-motivated, organized, hard-working, Spirits expert to assist in sales, education and account and relationship management, located in Los Angeles County.

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.

We are currently seeking a self-motivated, organized, hard-working, spirits expert to join our team. This individual will assist in sales, education and account and relationship management, located in 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.

Skurnik Wines & Spirits is currently seeking a highly motivated and organized Spirits expert to join our team. Our ideal candidate would be sales-focused, efficient at problem solving, and an excellent communicator. This individual will be responsible for maximizing the distribution and selling of the Skurnik Spirits brands On-Premise and Off-Premises accounts.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Expand footprint of Skurnik spirits in Indiana through:

• New account openings in these primary territories
  • Indianapolis
  • Fort Wayne
• 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.