Job Description :

Title: Sales Specialist- Chicago

Role Location: Metro Chicago

We are a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits and beer! We produce an assortment of over 200 outstanding brands – old and new, large and small, global and local – that are enjoyed in more than 180 countries around the world.

Our Sales team love building relationships, connecting with customers to sell our much-loved brands in new and vibrant markets where they can thrive. They help sell our iconic brands across 180 countries every year.

We’re operating across different markets, channels, and areas of expertise. Using your curiosity and passion, you’ll make the most of consumer insight and digital platforms, reaching new customers, markets, and celebrations to help us achieve our growth potential. We’ll support your learning and growth as you develop your career with us and work with people across our business to realise your fullest potential!

 

About the role: 

Context/Scope
Sales Specialist Diageo Beer Company - Ensures excellence in the delivery of plans and execution, in alignment with business performance objectives for the Diageo Beer Company (DBC). This is primarily achieved through effectively leading, planning, influencing, motivating, training, and measuring our distributor set within the Chicago market.

 
Role Responsibilities:
Management Responsibility

No direct reportsWork with distributor personnel, relevant agencies (Inspira/MKTG) to achieve agreed upon goalsPrimarily field based – Greater Chicagoland areaReports to the Distributor Manager - Total Chicago

Complexity Of Role

Lead wholesaler execution against quarterly & monthly business targetsClearly communicate goals and ensure all tools are in place to support attainment of objectivesMarket complexity is HIGH which includes interaction with 3rd party agencies, significant Chain and On-Premise influence, and a high investment market with heavy program execution expectationsHas constructive conversations with distributor partners when performance is off track to ensure we are building long term capabilitiesAbility to work independently

Key Outputs/Results:

Daily/Weekly account level Pre PlansDevelop account level goals for Quality, Distribution, Visibility, Price, Promotion and PersuasionDevelop and deliver Guinness Quality Standards in the On PremiseAssist in the delivery of DBC’s annual, quarterly, and monthly execution targets for the assigned marketInfluence and motivate wholesalers to implement against key sales drivers by brand for the territoryReporting/management against Key Performance Indicators, National Execution Plan, Display Standards, Better Beer Industry benchmarksAssist in the planning and execution of kick-off meetings for innovation and programming initiativesCommunicate monthly program calendars and drive execution within assigned distributor sales forceEnsure excellent retail execution is being achieved in assigned key Off Premise & On-Premise accounts within designated market areaAnalyze on/off premise channels within territory to effectively plan and implement promotional activitiesProvide grounded market insights including industry dynamics and competitive informationPlan and manage investment (Beer & FMBs) for assigned territory

Distributor Performance

Review sales and marketplace assessments and ensure on track performanceDevelop gap close plans where necessary and identify local growth opportunities as they ariseCompile all national selling material/tools/resources for distributor general sales meetings and weekly team meetingsComplete monthly distributor review meetings to ensure alignment on all programs & goalsBuild sales competencies & create strong working relationships
 

Financial Responsibility

Deliver agreed-upon ABP depletion targets, NSV & Profit TargetsManage trade A&P budgets for the defined area based on agreed-upon rate per caseIdentify potential opportunities and risks to sales forecasts using historical data and trends

 

Experience / skills required:

Qualifications & Experience

Undergraduate degree requiredGrounded commercial experience in Beer or Spirits preferredDistributor experience, either managing or working within a beverage wholesaler landscapeStrong knowledge of distributor operationsInsight and understanding with both On and Off TradeProven track record of achieving sales goals and delivering outstanding resultsMust be a self-starter with a proven track record of influencing others with the use of fact-based sellingMust be well organized and possess the ability to prioritize multiple initiativesAbility to generate ideas to further develop assigned marketProven track record for collaborating and holding other departments accountable for performance

Knowledge/Skills

Tier 1/major market wholesaler management; retail sales in chain grocery, independent liquor and on-premise; thorough understanding of wholesaler operations; proven influencing skills. Thorough understanding of competitive activity, market dynamics, and quality standards. Understanding and application of data analysis. Uses and drives metrics to measure performance.Persuasive selling, negotiation; problem solving; planning/organizing; proficiency in Microsoft office; financial acumen; superior written and electronic communication; proven ability to influence internal and external partners; possess a positive outlook; excellent negotiator; exhibits independence, resiliency, and tenacity. Process oriented. Self-starter, forward thinking change agent.

About the Company

We're a global leader in premium drinks, across spirits and beer, a business built on the principles and foundations laid by the giants of the industry.

With over 200 brands sold in 180 countries, our portfolio has remarkable breadth. From centuries-old names to exciting new entrants, and global giants to local legends, we're building the very best brands out there, and with over 25,000 talented people based in over 135 countries, we're a truly global company. With such diversity, we're able to truly represent our broad consumer base and think differently about the future.

To maintain our position as leaders in the alcoholic beverage market, we always invest in the future and are mindful of the impact we have. Because just like the legends of our past, we're here to raise the bar – for people as well as the planet.

Flexible Working Statement:

Flexibility is key to our success. From part-time and compressed hours to different locations, our people work flexibly in ways to suit them. Talk to us about what flexibility means to you so that you’re supported from day one.

Diversity statement:

Our purpose is to celebrate life, every day, everywhere. And creating an inclusive culture, where everyone feels valued and that they can belong, is a crucial part of this. We embrace diversity in the broadest possible sense. This means that you’ll be welcomed and celebrated for who you are just by being you. You’ll be part of and help build and champion an inclusive culture that celebrates people of different gender, ethnicity, ability, age, sexual orientation, social class, educational backgrounds, experiences, mindsets, and more.

Our ambition is to create the best performing, most trusted and respected consumer products companies in the world. Join us and help transform our business as we take our brands to the next level and build new ones as part of shaping the next generation of celebrations for consumers around the world.

 

Feel inspired? Then this may be the opportunity for you.

 

If you require a reasonable adjustment, please ensure that you capture this information when you submit your application.

Worker Type :

Regular

Primary Location:

Chicago Sales Office

Additional Locations :

Job Posting Start Date :

2025-02-11

Salary Range:

Minimum Salary:

$56700

Maximum Salary:

$94500

At Diageo certain roles are eligible for additional rewards, including annual incentive payment and stock awards. US-based employees are eligible for healthcare benefits, retirement benefits , short-term and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance, wellness benefits and industry leading parental leave, among others.  (Benefits/perks listed may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Diageo and the country where you work.)  The salary range displayed is the salary range for the role’s primary location.