National Account Manager

Location: Remote
Schedule: Monday–Friday
Compensation: $70,000–$110,000 base + uncapped variable compensation

Mission Statement — Downeast Cider

“If we create value for customers, we create value for ourselves in fulfilling work and robust compensation. This requires a world-class brand and a world-class team.”

Mission Statement — National Account Manager

As a National Account Manager, you drive Downeast’s strategic growth with national and regional off-premise chain partners across the country. Your mission is to secure new distribution, enhance visibility, and grow volume by developing strong buyer relationships, executing tailored chain programming, and creating data-driven strategies that elevate Downeast at scale. You work cross-functionally to ensure flawless execution and help propel Downeast toward becoming the #1 hard cider in America.

Who You Are

You are someone who:

• Brings deep knowledge of the alcohol industry and the three-tier system
   
• Builds strong, trust-based relationships with buyers, wholesalers, and internal teams
   
• Communicates clearly, confidently, and persuasively at all organizational levels
   
• Manages multiple priorities with discipline, organization, and strong follow-through
   
• Is highly analytical, able to translate data into insights, strategy, and action
   
• Takes ownership of goals and executes with urgency and professionalism
   
• Welcomes feedback, acts on it quickly, and views coaching as a competitive advantage
   
• Thrives in a fast-paced, high-growth environment with competing demands
   

Key Responsibilities

Drive Volume, Distribution & Share Growth

• Grow sales through distribution increases, promotional activity, and strong program execution
   
• Secure new placements and expand existing authorizations across assigned chains
   
• Create and execute customer-specific sales plans that deliver meaningful results
   
• Conduct regular sales calls with chain buyers and wholesaler partners
   

Lead Strategic Planning & Execution

• Partner with the Director of National Accounts to develop go-to-market strategies
   
• Track, analyze, and manipulate data to create actionable insights and recommendations
   
• Build persuasive presentations and business reviews that drive customer alignment
   
• Work closely with RSDs to align regional priorities, opportunities, and forecast needs
   

Strengthen Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with sales, marketing, finance, and operations to support national programs
   
• Ensure programming, pricing, and promotions are executed correctly and on time
   
• Communicate chain plans and performance updates across internal teams
   

Perform High-Value Market Work

• Conduct regular in-market visits to evaluate execution quality and identify opportunities
   
• Strengthen retailer relationships through hands-on support at key accounts
   
• Validate displays, pricing, promotions, and new item cut-ins
   

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of alcohol industry experience (beer/cider/wine/spirits or distributor)
   
• Strong analytical skills; ability to manipulate data and generate insights
   
• Advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills (decks, dashboards, analysis)
   
• Proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships with retail buyers
   
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
   
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and set clear priorities
   
• Independent, self-motivated, and able to convert direction into action plans
   
• Experience presenting to senior stakeholders in the three-tier system
   

Bonus Points

• Experience in chain account management
   
• Outside sales or distributor management experience
   
• CRM proficiency
   
• Advanced proficiency in Google Workspace
   
• Experience in consumer packaged goods
   

Don’t check every box? We value grit, hustle, and passion. If this role speaks to you, apply with a one-page cover letter explaining why you, no “to whom it may concern” required.

What We Offer

• Unlimited PTO
   
• Paid holidays
   
• Variable compensation This role includes uncapped quarterly variable compensation with a 20% target and 40% stretch benchmark; actual earnings may exceed benchmarks based on performance
   
• 401(k) with 4% company match
   
• Health & dental insurance
   
• Company-paid short-term disability
   
• Mileage and expense reimbursement
   
• Monthly phone stipend (up to $100/month)
   
• Sales trainings and retreats
   
• Eligibility for the annual Elite Slinger’s Club (last trip: Puerto Rico)
   
• Company-wide holiday party
   
• Cider allowance (hope your fridge is big)
   

about downeast cider:

we first started fermenting batches of cider up at bates college in 2011.  we have a few more teammates now.  you can now buy our cider in tens of thousands of retailers, not just a couple of bars in central maine.  it takes us 15 minutes to make a pallet of cider, not the 12 hours it took in the early days.  we’re diversifying beyond cider.  but our aim remains the same:

we aspire to be an enduring company. if we create value for our customers, we create value for ourselves through fulfilling work and robust compensation.  to do this requires a work class brand, and a work class team.  

we define our culture by seven principles.  you can read more about those principles here.

we like to hire the way we like our cider, unfiltered. with the understanding that we can learn and grow from each other’s differences, we are proud to hire regardless of gender, race, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, disability, age, or anything else that makes us who we are.