Fine Wine Consultant, Italian Specialist -MD/DC

Fine Wine Consultant, Italian Specialist (MD/DC)

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Palm Bay International, a dynamic family-owned company, offers one of the nation's most comprehensive portfolios of imported wines and spirits, including over 50 suppliers from around the globe. Among Palm Bay's most valued assets is its remarkable network of long-term partnerships with the foremost wholesale companies in all 50 states, as well as the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America. With the crucial collaboration of these partners, Palm Bay's portfolio is able to meet the needs of every level of the industry, from independent restaurants and retail stores, to chain accounts, supermarkets, hotels, airlines, cruise ships, duty-free accounts and U.S. military bases. This impressive roster of brands, accounts and relationships positions Palm Bay as a major source of fine wines and spirits and an industry leader in the U.S. marketplace. For more visit: ***.

Location: Metro MD/DC

Job Summary

As an specialist sales representative you will be responsible for strategically building sales of an industry-leading portfolio of iconic Italian wines within your designated territory. You will work closely with existing accounts and be highly focused and motivated to identify and build new business opportunities throughout the targeted universe. You will report directly into local sales leadership while receiving critical strategic direction corporately from brand leadership ensuring supplier and company objectives are comprehensively met. You will have a proven expertise in Italian wine, be a fluent Italian speaker and have a deep understanding of Italian culture. You're a self-starter, comfortable taking direction and then working towards your objectives with a high level of autonomy and self-motivation. You have an innate growth mindset and relentlessly pursue continual growth. You build strong relationships, you're memorable and you're committed to exceptional service and performance standards.

Key Responsibilities

Sales and Business Development

In collaboration with leadership, identify, target and convert new omni-channel sales opportunities throughout the designated territory with the objective of explosive growth
Execute sales strategies and selling activities to exceed specific brand, item and company sales goals
Manage and grow existing key accounts, build and optimize Italian portfolio presence and sales performance
Focus on and support specific programming and promotional activities and periods to over deliver against periodic sales objectives
Conduct in-store tastings, host wine dinners, and ideate and execute other value-added sales activities to drive growth, brand penetration and presence

Customer Relationship Management

Build exceptional relationships and trust with the account and buyer community
Be equally capable and showcase the necessary interpersonal dexterity to be highly effective selling into a white table cloth, Michelin star environment, a casual neighborhood pizzeria a fine wine bottle shop or a regional chain environment
Develop high-touch relationships with Palm Bay International's Italian supplier network and be highly respectful in the role as an ambassador of our organization
Host supplier representatives, owners and executives during in-market travel delivering exceptional market access and sales success. Ideate and execute supplier-supported in-market value-adds includingm events, blitzes, educational activities, winemaker dinners, tastings, happy hours etc.
Identify and build mutually supportive relationships with wholesaler specialist representatives with the objective to force-multiply selling efforts within the Italian product category and target universe
Always offer exceptional customer service both to our internal and external partners
Be the local resource for expert product and category education facing various audiences including your PBI sales colleagues, wholesaler representatives and customers

Reporting and Administration

Prepare and submit regular reports utilizing the tools and guidelines provided by your manager inclusive of sales reporting, market activity, forecasting, market feedback and competitor activity
Conduct surveys as required and maintain detailed customer records
Participate in sales meetings, training sessions and attend events as required
Be the organization's constant pulse on category trends, competitor products and market conditions providing the business with the most contemporary and actionable native intelligence from the field

Qualifications

Proven experience and demonstrable success in Italian wine sales, with a deep expertise in Italian wines, Italian category dynamics and Italian omnichannel account universe essential.

Relentlessly results driven and highly self-motivated

Second-to-none knowledge of Italian wine regions, varietals, producers and Italian culture

Fluency in Italian language, mother-tongue preferred

Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.

Ability to build and maintain relationships with a diverse client base.

Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Proficiency in sales reporting and survey software and Microsoft Office Suite.

Higher level WSET certification or equivalent wine education is a plus.

Ability to travel extensively within the assigned territory.

Benefits Overview:
Palm Bay offers a competitive compensation package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(K), paid vacation, personal time off and 11 paid company holidays.

Palm Bay International is an equal opportunity employer.

Job category: Sales and Marketing