Northern Trade Sales

Overview

Flint is a fine wine importer started in London in 2006 to source elegant, terroir-driven wines. With an initial focus on Burgundy, today we work with over 200 producers from around the world, selling those wines directly to private clients and the trade, across the whole of the UK, with a dynamic and driven team of over forty people.

Context

With two decades now behind us, we have entered our next phase of development, to grow in an ambitious yet measured way. We are in a hurry, but not at the expense of doing things properly. We believe in doing the right thing. We put people and relationships first. We intend to grow by expanding Flint’s footprint: raising awareness about our range of wines and increasing access to them with a hard working, well connected and knowledgeable salesforce.

We are looking for a commercially-minded salesperson who will commit to learning our range of wines and selling them across key accounts, both on and off trade if possible, in the north of England.

Description

This role carries responsibility for trade sales in the north of England, the precise patch which we can define together based on where the candidate lives and his or her local connections and experiences. This role requires identifying those potential restaurants, pubs and hotels, opening up the accounts, and growing them while maintaining margins and managing to a budget. We work with a handful of regional distributors in the area and also have the logistical capabilities to deliver directly to accounts. The role will come with some existing accounts to work with from day one.

Responsibilities

• Open accounts for new customers and then grow sales to those accounts, in line with your annual sales and margin targets
• Work with the wider Flint team to build our presence in those regions, including hosting winemakers for tastings with clients, attending trade tastings and generally mixing with those whose interests are aligned with ours
• Manage costs to budget, working with our FD to set the appropriate spend and then being mindful of them over the course of building your client book
• Report on performance in weekly team meeting, highlighting sales, any key lines you’ve sold, new accounts you’ve opened, and any other activity of note
• Learn our range of wines inside and out, and confidently speak about them to a wide array of audiences.
• Ultimately build of at least £1M+ book of sales across a range of accounts

Experience required

• Wine knowledge: at least five years of experience in wine, likely with some WSET experience
• Proficient in Word, Powerpoint and Excel – you can make your way around three, though team members are always available to lend a hand
• Preferably experience using Navision, our ERP, or a similar or relevant platform
• Comfortable with fast paced, hands on environment with no hierarchy
• An entrepreneurial nature, sees opportunities for improvement and makes them happen
• Able to work well as part of a team and as an individual, with a high degree of empathy and desire for collaboration “we not me”
• Enjoys building things from scratch; creative and keen to think beyond norms – as happy to leave the herd as you are to follow it
• Loves the thrill of the sale

Salary & benefits

• Salary commensurate with experience
• Eligible for company-wide bonus scheme
• Company and individual pension contributions
• Discount on wine
• Free wine storage
• Monthly wine stipend
• Travel insurance
• Cycle to work scheme
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave