Key Accounts Manager - Illinois/Missouri

Build your career at Sazerac! With almost 400 years of rich history, Sazerac Company has thrived as an independent, American family-owned company with operations in the United States and around the world. Since the 2000s, Sazerac has averaged double digit growth every year! Sazerac Company produces and markets the most award-winning bourbons and whiskeys in the world, including Buffalo Trace, Pappy Van Winkle, Eagle Rare, Blanton’s, and Sazerac Rye. Additionally, Sazerac owns many popular brands across a range of spirits, including Fireball, Southern Comfort, Seagram’s V.O., Myers’s, Goldschläger, Parrot Bay, 99 Brand, and Platinum Vodka. 

We’re proud of our award-winning culture and distilleries. Our Louisville office has been named one of the “Best Places to Work in Kentucky” four times, and our Buffalo Trace Distillery has earned the title of “world’s most award-winning distillery” through the dedication of our craftsmen for well over 200 years. Whether you’re a recent graduate or an experienced professional, Sazerac provides extraordinary opportunities for growth with competitive salaries and benefits in an exciting, entrepreneurial industry.

Why Sazerac? 

• Innovative and Forward-Thinking: Join a company that values innovation and excellence and is driving the future of the beverage industry.
• Rich Tradition: Join a team with a strong heritage of craftsmanship and quality, creating memorable experiences for our customers.
• Collaborative Environment: Work in an inclusive, collaborative atmosphere where your ideas and expertise are valued.
• Career Growth: Benefit from continuous learning opportunities and career development programs to advance your career.

The Key Accounts Manager (KAM) – Illinois/Missouri is responsible for owning and advancing Sazerac’s business across targeted off-premise key accounts in Illinois and Missouri. This role requires key account experience, strong customer management skills, and the ability to develop and execute chain-specific strategies that drive distribution, volume, and share growth. The KAM leads the customer relationship, builds joint business plans at the chain level, and ensures flawless execution of national and regional account priorities.

Location: St. Louis, MO or Chicago, IL (must live in one of these cities and travel within the territory).

Key Responsibilities: (Responsibilities may vary by state depending on regulatory and compliance standards):

• Deliver volume, distribution, share, and visibility targets across strategic priority brands within assigned key accounts in IL and MO.

• Leverage KPIs, iDig/Power BI, and scorecards to track performance, ensure execution of brand standards, and provide quarterly and monthly results recaps vs. targets.

• Develop and implement KPIs with distributor and key account partners to drive priority brand growth in the regional grocery and c-store channels. Set annual distribution and volume goals by category, brand, and channel.

• Ensure retail pricing aligns with brand strategies in IL/MO. Recommend pricing adjustments or programming needs to the State Manager for review and approval.

• Provide monthly retail-level insights to leadership, including brand performance, consumer trends, and emerging consumption patterns. Support seamless integration of new brand acquisitions at retail.

• Communicate off-premise national account updates to distributor partners and ensure timely, best-in-class execution. Track and report distribution compliance for national account programs through distributor reporting tools; provide bi-monthly updates to the State Manager.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with major retail chains and decision-makers. Lead the development of chain-specific joint business plans to expand distribution and execute priority brand initiatives.

MUST HAVE

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Marketing, or related field.

• 3+ years of off-premise key account sales experience with demonstrated success driving growth at corporate/HQ accounts and executing chain-level programs.

• Sales management experience in CPG and/or Alcohol Beverage.

• Proven ability to build and manage strong relationships with key account decision-makers at the corporate/HQ level.

• Demonstrated track record of achieving results in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.

• Strong commercial acumen, financial awareness, and customer service orientation.

• Excellent analytical, communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills.

• Strong planning, prioritization, and organizational capabilities.

• Flexibility to work non-traditional hours (nights/weekends) and travel up to 50%.

• Valid driver’s license.

• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).

• Ability to lift or move up to 25 pounds without assistance.

Preferred

• Regional or national off-premise key account experience in large or small format channels.

• Direct sales experience in the spirits industry.

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A career at Sazerac offers you the opportunity to reach your full potential as part of a creative, decisive, high-performance team. Sazerac values the needs and wants of our team members and offers inclusive benefits to attract and retain the best talent. Our culture is built upon the values of hard work, diligence and personal responsibility.

Sazerac Team Members enjoy:

• Competitive Pay
• Comprehensive Benefits from Day One including medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• Family Coverage: Options to cover family members, including domestic partners.
• 401(k) Plan: Immediate access to a matching 401(k) plan.
• Flexible Time Away: Enjoy paid time off (PTO), holidays, and parental leave.
• Mental Health and Wellness: Access to mental health care and wellness incentive programs.
• Educational Support: Benefit from tuition reimbursement and our scholarship program for dependents of Sazerac team members.
• Fun Extras: Enjoy branded apparel, fun events, and a team member bottle purchase program.
• Training and Development: Opportunities for professional growth and development.

Benefits, salary range, and programs may vary by role or location. For roles within our commercial team - the Salary range refers to base salary only and does not include car allowance, annual bonus, fuel or cell phone reimbursement. Please ask your Talent Acquisition Partner for more information about our total rewards package. Sazerac is committed to equality of opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, veteran status, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disability or any other legally protected status.