Sales Execution Manager, field based remote in Chicago, Illinois

Liquid Death is a better for you beverage company that will murder your thirst with a wide range of low calorie beverages from water to iced tea to energy drinks. Our goal is to be the funniest beverage brand on earth and to make health and sustainability 50 times more fun.

Location Requirement: field based remote in Chicago, Illinois

(Candidates must be based in or near Chicago to be considered for this role)

Reports to: Regional Distributor Manager

Travel: up to 40% field based travel with some overnight stays required

Sales Territory: Chicago, Illinois & Wisconsin (the entire state of Wisconsin to include but not limited to Madison, Milwaukee, and Green Bay)

Direct Reports: 4 to 6 Field Sales Representatives and Merchandisers

As one of the fastest growing non-alcoholic beverage brands, Liquid Death uses comedy and entertainment to make health and sustainability 50 times more fun. We take the healthiest things you can drink and package it into infinitely recyclable cans that compete with the fun marketing of unhealthy brands across energy drinks, beer, and junk food. Our product lines include mountain water, sparkling mountain water, sparkling flavored water, iced tea, and our hydration sticks, Death Dust. A portion of Liquid Death’s proceeds goes to nonprofits who are helping fight plastic pollution and bring clean drinking water to those in need.

Role Overview:

The Sales Execution Manager (SEM) role is your opportunity to be a driving force behind sales success. You'll partner with distributors to maximize sales, bring the brand to life in stores, and take ownership of local market execution. From engaging key buyers to tracking distributor performance, you'll play a pivotal role in uncovering opportunities to grow our brand. We're seeking a dynamic individual who thrives in the art of selling and is ready to make an impact.

Responsibilities:

Distributor Partnership Management:

• Collaborate with distributors on key sales activities such as "work withs," sales meeting kick-offs, and local chain wired selling initiatives
• Develop relationships with NA Brand Managers within local distributor partners (DP) and key account teams and inventory ordering team
• Benchmark and establish clear expectations for DP performance
• Create systems for DPs to drive KPI’s and brand revenue goals
• Analyze the distributor structure & making recommendations to the DP

In-Store Execution:

Oversee merchandising and promotional execution in national and regional chain stores, ensuring product placement and compliance with brand standards.

Data Analysis & Forecasting: Use VIP data to track distributor performance and support accurate purchase order forecasting.

KPI & Performance Tracking: Support the management of key performance indicators related to distributor sales growth and in-store execution.

P&L Management: Create accurate and timely forecasts for case volume, spending & profitability.

Merchandiser Training & Development (If Applicable): Lead training for Merchandiser(s) to enhance selling capabilities and market readiness. Manage training programs for merchandisers to ensure effective product placement and promotional execution.

Brand Messaging: Educate distributors on the Liquid Death brand narrative to ensure clear and consistent messaging.

Qualification Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred or equivalent in Business or Sales Marketing
• 4+ years of relatable Regional Sales Management, Territory Sales, or Distributor Partner Management experience within the Beverage and Distributor Sales Environment where strategic planning (to include KPI tracking, market analysis, and using data-driven insights) to identify growth opportunities were critical to success required
• 2+ years of experience in the Chicago or Wisconsin market in the beverage industry / CPG strongly preferred
• 2+ years of experience displaying leadership skills required
• Proficiency working in VIP, Karma, Excel, PowerPoint required
• Strong capability in data analysis and reporting preferred (IRI, and Nielsen)
• Strong presentation skills (both written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to deliver engaging, clear presentations to diverse audiences)
• Must have a valid driver's license & clean motor vehicle record (MVR): with no major violations
• Safely operate personal vehicle to fulfill work-related duties; this position involves driving a personal vehicle for work-related purposes
• Up to 40% field based travel with some overnight stays required
• Willingness to meet the high field based travel needs of the role:
  • 70% of customer visits are in the Chicago area
  • 30% of customer base is within a 2 to 4 hour drive in Illinois and Wisconsin (which may require some overnight stays)
  • Willingness to support cross market blitzes up to once a quarter (will go to another state to support sales blitz activity as needed)
    

Physical Demands:

• Ability to stand in store and sit in a vehicle for extended periods of time
• Ability to carry equipment and product up to 50 lbs
• Safely operate personal vehicle to fulfill work-related duties; this position involves driving a personal vehicle for work-related purposes

The typical salary range for this position is: $72,000 - $98,000

This range reflects an estimate of the anticipated base salary compensation for this role and does not include potential bonuses, equity, or benefits. The actual salary offer will take into account multiple factors including skills, experience, education, location, and applicable federal, state, and local wage and hour laws. Where state or local minimum salary requirements exceed the posted range, the Company will adjust compensation accordingly.

At Liquid Death, we believe that killer benefits make all the difference. That’s why we offer Blue Shield medical plans with HMO (CA Only), PPO, and HDHP options (including an HSA), FSA and Dependent Care FSA, along with Guardian dental and vision coverage. Our UNUM packages include life insurance, AD&D, disability benefits, and employee-paid options like accident, hospitalization, and critical illness coverage. We match 100% of your Empower Retirement contributions up to 4% after just three months and even help crush your student debt while saving for retirement with our Student Loan Retirement Match. Our wellness perks, including Headspace, ClassPass memberships, and a robust EAP, help you keep your soul hydrated, while SNOO Bassinets give your little ones the VIP treatment. Pets are part of the crew too, so we offer Nationwide pet insurance to keep them happy and healthy. Add in 17 paid holidays, Flex PTO, and travel assistance, and you’ve got a benefits lineup as fierce as our mission to declare #DeathToPlastic

Ensure your Liquid Death job offer is legitimate and don't fall victim to fraud! Liquid Death never seeks payment from job applicants and will never request a meeting via Skype. Liquid Death recruiters will only reach out to candidates from an [email protected] email address. For added security, where possible, apply through our company website at