Brewer's Notebook

Position/Title: Regional Beer Sales Representative, On/Off-Premise
Job Location: Woodinville, WA
Job Category: Sales and Marketing
Date Posted: Thursday, December 1, 2011
Company: Washington Wine and Beverage Company/Fish Brewing Company
Website: www.fishbrewing.com
Type of Work: Full Time
Pay: DOE
Contact: jobs@washingtonwine.com

ABOUT US
Washington Wine and Beverage Company (WWBC) is the largest locally and community owned wine group in the Northwest – harvesting, producing and selling over 40,000 cases of wine and 100,000 cases of beer per year. Quality and value are two of the cornerstones that set WWBC apart. Our expectation is that every employee will represent the company to the best of their ability and execute their core job responsibilities with passion & creativity, while driving profitability and brand success. WWBC is an entrepreneurial company where an employee’s job description will change and evolve over time.

POSITION STATEMENT
The position of Regional Beer Sales Representative is responsible for the sales and development of Washington Wine and Beverage Company’s beer products (Fish Tale, Leavenworth, Firestation 5, Spire Mountain Ciders) in the states of WA and OR for on/off premise accounts.

ESSENTIALS DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Achievement of annual sales and accounts sold goals
• Execute sales programs across territory
• Execute marketing programs across territory
• Build and maintain close working relationships with the top on and off premise accounts, both chain and independents in designated territory
• Work each market independently and with the top distributor sales representatives, field managers and Key Account Managers
• Provide weekly, monthly reports and accomplishments recap to Director of Sales and Marketing.
• Develop and enhance customer relationships
• Answer customers’ questions about products, prices, availability, product uses, and credit terms
• Consult with customers after sales to resolve problems and to provide ongoing support
• Demonstrate competent sales abilities through successful presentation of products and creditable promotion of new and existing portfolio items
• Utilize sample inventories to promote product sales
• Participate in sales meetings, on-site training, and trade events to maintain a high level of product and supplier knowledge

QUALIFICATIONS
• College degree with at least five years of beer industry sales experience (distributor or supplier experience ok)
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
• Well organized, self motivated, with the ability to work independently
• In possession of a high level of integrity, confidence, and the ability to forge strong professional relationships quickly
• Brewery knowledge, from the making of beer to the bottle/keg
• Must be able to travel extensively within the region
• Strong desire to continue to grow professionally
• Must possess a current driver license
•Good written communication skills. Must possess the ability to develop and provide all necessary written reports, business correspondence and presentations necessary to satisfy job requirements.
•Good oral communication and interpersonal skills. Must have the ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public. Incumbent must articulate in a professional and personable manner in order to be a strong leader and partner to our WWBC Customers and Trade partners

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
•Travel required
•Must be able to meet a minimum requirement travel schedule for assigned territories
•Current valid driver’s license
•Good time-management skills
•No DWI offenses
•No drug use
•Residency in Seattle/Bellevue/Mill Creek area preferred
•Must use for business a clean, recent model, presentable and fully operational 4 door vehicle that reflects professionalism (company auto allowance provided)
* Must own laptop and cell phone

REPORTING STRUCTURE & MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY
* Reports to Director of Sales and Marketing
* Direct Reports Include:
o None
* Interacts with sales, marketing and brewery teams.

The Great American Beer Festival (GABF) is the largest and perhaps the most prestigious beer competition in North America. Medals are highly coveted. The event took place this past weekend in Denver and the results have been announced. Once again our Mighty Fish Brewers have made us proud.

In an amazing feat, Fish Brewing brought home two medals in one category:

Gold Medal
Category 2: American Style Wheat Beer with Yeast
Leavenworth Boulder Bend Dunkelweizen, Fish Brewing Co., Olympia

Bronze Medal
Category 2: American Style Wheat Beer with Yeast
Leavenworth Whistling Pig Hefeweizen, Fish Brewing Co., Olympia

Congratulations to our brewers and to the entire Fish Brewing team!

EVERET, WA, August 5, 2011 – The Fish Tale Brewpub opened its doors in Everett Washington today at Broadway and Hewitt directly across from the Comcast Arena. Featuring the hand-crafted beers and ciders of its parent brewery, Fish Brewing Company the brewpub’s fare, decor and namesake are inspired by its flagship brewpub in Olympia, Washington.

“Craft beer is meant to be shared and enjoyed with good company,” said Jeff Wells, Director of Marketing for Fish Brewing Company. “The local and organic entrees, vibrant atmosphere and attentive service at the Fish Tale Brewpub will allow our guests to enjoy our highly- acclaimed ales with a light snack or an entire meal.” The Brewpub will feature the award-winning beers and ciders of Fish Brewing Company: Fish Tale Ales, Leavenworth Biers, Spire Mountain Ciders and it’s newest brand Reel Ales.

The 175-seat Everett brewpub is family friendly and features a variety of seating options, including high-top tables, high-back chairs and bar seating. The menu is the fruit of years of hard work and dedication from the flagship brewpub’s staff, brewers, cooks and servers.
Samples of the menu include:

- Fish Tacos – Arctic Cod, jack cheese, spicy jalapeno-cilantro sauce, pico de gallo and cabbage
- Pub Sausage – in-house stuffed Bratwurst, Jagerwurst or Kielbasa with kraut and caramelized onion

- New Zealand Lamb Burger – with organic mixed greens, roasted red peppers & tzatziki dressing
- Fried Wild Salmon & Chips – lightly breaded in our own Fish Tale Ale batter

“Fish Tale Brewpub is the perfect pre-game and post-game destination for our visitors and residents,” said Nick Bernard, General Manager of The Fish Tale Brewpub. “Our convenient location across from Comcast Arena makes us a natural stop on game and event nights.”

Everett’s Economic Development Director Lanie McMullin hailed the announcement as part of the city’s effort to grow downtown’s appeal.  “The development of downtown Everett is important to my administration,” McMullin said.  “We recognize that maintaining a critical mass of retail is needed for existing and future downtown residents, as well as building an attractive visitor and tourist market. Fish Brewing Co. will be a welcome addition to the existing mix of eclectic and one-of-a-kind restaurants and shops already there.”

The Fish Tale Brew Pub is located at 2019 Hewitt (at Broadway). The restaurant and the lounge are open Monday – Saturday from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Prices range from $4.95 – $17.95 a dish. For more information, please visit www.fishtalebrewpub.com, or call (425) 789-1510.

About Fish Brewing Company
From its home in beautiful Olympia, Washington, Fish Brewing Company has been hand-crafting ales of Northwest proportions since 1993. Founded by Crayne and Mary Horton and 300 local investors, Fish began operations humbly. With a 15-barrel brew house, two 15-barrel fermenters, and one dairy tank, we brewed for our neighbors up and down Puget Sound. Growing steadily since, Fish is now an award-winning craft brewer with distribution throughout the great Pacific Northwest and beyond.