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Sales Manager- Training and Activation
full-timeSt. Paul$66k - $112k

Summary

Location

St. Paul

Salary

$66k - $112k

Type

full-time

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About this role

Looking for a rewarding career? Johnson Brothers is a leading family-owned distributor of wine, spirits, and beer, delivering exceptional service since 1953. We proudly represent the world’s top beverage brands and are committed to excellence, innovation, and growth. Johnson Brothers offers exciting opportunities in a variety of areas. Join our passionate team and help shape the future of the beverage industry!

Job Description:

The Sales Manager, Training & Activation works across their assigned sales channel(s) and division(s) through management of the Sales Consultants in Training, Merchandisers and ownership of onboarding, scheduling, and coordinating training among emerging sales team members. Maintaining an organized and universal approach to new team member onboarding, as well as playing a critical role with standards of selling, execution, and activation content and any other critical onboarding elements. This person will coordinate across multiple AM’s and DM territories and is accountable for the delivery of executional KPIs (Market X/GSC) to supplier partners. 

Primary Responsibilities

Overall

  • Drives results, develops people, and effectively onboards new team members while ensuring they have the right training, tools, and processes to successfully manage a territory.
  • Responsible for onboarding all new retail team members.
  • Sales Consultants in Training and Merchandisers will report directly to this person.
  • Owns weekly schedule for the Sales Consultants in Training.
  • Leads and embeds the JB Learning Academy Modules and Supplier Training through the DM/SCs.
  • Driving Coaching & Accountability when it comes to execution of Perfect Store conditions of the six sales standards in the four walls of the retail arena.

Culture/Structure/People

  • Inspire, lead, and develop sales consultants. Direct oversight of merchandisers and Sales Trainees.
  • Drive a continuous training culture of attract, retain, develop, and promote from within.
  • Build a highly engaged and high performing team.
  • Lead continuous succession planning and develops strong and deep bench strength for future sales consultant roles.
  • Establish/maintain accountability standards continuously review structure, optimize route to market and remain relevant with customers and suppliers.
  • Ensures to conduct people processes according to company policies and procedures.
     

Strategy: Drives Training Agenda into Operational Detail for Sales Consultants, SCIT and Merchandisers

  • Product knowledge and key benefits/features
  • Category Mgmt. principles
  • Preparing to Make the Sales Call
  • Preplan standardization across the division
  • Preparation for supplier work-with days
  • Tools to merchandise in the account
  • Maximizing Time & Working Smarter tactics
  • Demo & Tasting Execution & Activation
  • Leveraging Resources internally and externally
  • Ad Support, how to leverage and activate in retail
  • Linking & Leveraging Mail-In-Rebates & Digital Rebates
  • Social Media: Leveraging all Social Media outlets to maximize our business and the customers

Programing and Execution

  • Leads with Sales Coordinators, Trade/Business Development Managers, and General Sales Managers to compile execution and activation recaps, both division and supplier generated (example; GSC/Market X submissions)
  • Responsible for leading training content during the General Sales Meeting
  • Coordinates the schedule for all crew drives
  • Collects/tracks Execution of pre-plans
  • POS Inventory sheet updated regularly with the new POS items

Leadership Qualities

  • Ability to learn new programs quickly, with ability to train others
  • Utilize critical thinking skills to identify and solve problems
  • Ability to handle change in a fast-paced environment with flexibility to deal with interruptions, changing priorities

Must be accurate with ability to multi-task, and work under pressure with short deadlines

8. Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

  • Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing or related field required
    Or
  • An equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience

  • Minimum 5 years Industry experience, retail industry, Sales consultant and DM experience and/or Shopper/Consumer Insights and Marketing, brand/supplier management experience.
  • Previous experience with Beverage Alcohol chain buyers in Wine, Spirits or Beer.  Demonstrated experience coaching and leading teams required.

The expected pay range for this role is $66,292 - $112,413. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role. Actual placement within range will be contingent upon several factors, including but not limited to the candidate's qualifications, education, experience, internal equity, union status (where applicable) and alignment with market data. Johnson Brothers offers eligible team members and their dependents comprehensive health benefits and programs, which include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, health savings and flexible spending accounts. Other benefits for eligible team members include 401(k) with an employer match, short term disability coverage, company-paid long term disability insurance, generous paid time off (PTO) plans and paid parental leave.

Johnson Brothers is an equal opportunity employer, committed to fair treatment and hiring based on qualifications. We prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status, or any other protected status under applicable laws.

Worker Sub-Type:

Regular

Time Type:

Full time

Other facts

Tech stack
Sales Management,Training,Coaching,Team Development,Retail Management,Category Management,Execution,Accountability,Problem Solving,Communication,Time Management,Flexibility,Critical Thinking,Customer Engagement,Market Analysis,Product Knowledge

About Johnson Brothers

Johnson Brothers is a single-family owned wine, beer, and spirits distributor, led by Michael and Todd Johnson. Founded in 1953 by their father, Lynn Johnson, the company has grown into one of the largest wholesale distribution companies in the United States, operating across 20 states. Johnson Brothers partners with top-tier suppliers to deliver a world-class portfolio and exceptional customer service. The company remains rooted in its founding values of integrity, innovation, and excellence. For the third year in a row, Newsweek has named Johnson Brothers one of America’s Most Trustworthy Companies for 2025. Learn more at johnsonbrothers.com.

Explore exciting career opportunities at Johnson Brothers across a range of functions. Whether your expertise lies in accounting, finance, customer service, sales, trade development, or information technology, we have opportunities tailored for you. Join us and be part of a dynamic team driving innovation and excellence in the beverage industry.

Team size: 1,001-5,000 employees
LinkedIn: Visit
Industry: Beverage Manufacturing

What you'll do

  • The Sales Manager, Training & Activation is responsible for onboarding and training new sales team members while managing Sales Consultants in Training and Merchandisers. This role also involves driving executional KPIs and ensuring adherence to sales standards across multiple territories.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does Johnson Brothers pay for a Sales Manager- Training and Activation?

Johnson Brothers offers a competitive compensation package for the Sales Manager- Training and Activation role. The salary range is USD 66k - 112k per year. Apply through Clera to learn more about the full compensation details.

What does a Sales Manager- Training and Activation do at Johnson Brothers?

As a Sales Manager- Training and Activation at Johnson Brothers, you will: the Sales Manager, Training & Activation is responsible for onboarding and training new sales team members while managing Sales Consultants in Training and Merchandisers. This role also involves driving executional KPIs and ensuring adherence to sales standards across multiple territories..

Why join Johnson Brothers as a Sales Manager- Training and Activation?

Johnson Brothers is a leading Beverage Manufacturing company. The Sales Manager- Training and Activation role offers competitive compensation.

Is the Sales Manager- Training and Activation position at Johnson Brothers remote?

The Sales Manager- Training and Activation position at Johnson Brothers is based in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. Contact the company through Clera for specific work arrangement details.

How do I apply for the Sales Manager- Training and Activation position at Johnson Brothers?

You can apply for the Sales Manager- Training and Activation position at Johnson Brothers directly through Clera. Click the "Apply Now" button above to start your application. Clera's AI-powered platform will help match your profile with this opportunity and guide you through the application process. You can also learn more about Johnson Brothers on their website.