JOEL SONDGEROTH
Plainfield,IL
Summary
To obtain a professional sales and management position that utilizes my depth of knowledge and extensive experience in the beverage industry as well as encourages employee development while presenting challenges and opportunities.
Skilled sales professional with proven track record of driving sales growth through direct sales, development of marketing plans and inspiring execution through a team of sales representatives. Experienced in developing sales and marketing strategies to achieve sales objectives. Strong communication and relationship building skills. Excellent presentation and negotiation skills. Motivated and goal-oriented sales professional. Strong analytical skills.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Sales - Central
L & T Spirits
06.2024 - Current
- Connected with prospects through trade shows, cold calling and local-area networking.
- Established ambitious sales targets, managed deployment strategies, and developed go-to-market plans to capitalize on every revenue opportunity.
- Managed complex negotiations with key accounts resulting in long-term contracts that bolstered annual revenue figures significantly.
- Launched new products successfully into the market, coordinating marketing initiatives and comprehensive sales campaigns.
- Increased sales revenue by developing and implementing strategic plans and setting performance goals for the sales team.
- Established pricing strategies to maintain competitive pricing and maximize profits.
- Achieved sales goals and service targets by cultivating and securing new customer relationships.
Director of Sales – Midwest
The Wine Group
01.2023 - 05.2024
- Responsible for shaping and leading the sales strategy across all channels in all markets resulting to:
- IL Gold Market of the Year Finalist – finished at 98.6% of DRev in 2023
- IL On Premise of the Year Finalist – finished in second place at +24.8% DRev growth in 2023
- Successfully managed through a mid-year distributor transition, ultimately leading to IN being the top performing transition market
- Tasked with mentoring and developing 3 direct reports
- Managed team of sales representatives, providing guidance, coaching and support.
- Increased sales revenue by developing and implementing strategic plans and setting performance goals for the sales team.
Regional Vice President – Central
Citadel Beverages
04.2021 - 01.2023
- Responsible for all sales aspects of 9 agency brands and 1 owned brand – (Pricing and Programming)
- Work closely with brand ownership/management to bring their marketing plans to life on a state-by-state basis
- Led Portfolio consolidation and established new distributor alignments
- Developed and presented revenue projection file to share with prospective distributors to show power of the total portfolio vs
- Standalone brands
- Key account management and development
- Doubled sales volume of our lead brand Driftless Glen in year 1
Regional Vice President – Midwest
Devils River Whiskey
02.2019 - 03.2021
- Vetted and established distributor network in the Midwest
- Developed pricing and programming for all states (Badger, Heritage & RNDC)
- Worked closely with trade development to ensure pricing and programming were in place to attain goals
- Participated in monthly sales meetings to present new programming and drive awareness throughout the sales staff
- Worked closely with RVP team to share best practices and develop execution plans to duplicate in market
Regional Sales Manager – Midwest
Phusion Projects/Innovative Wines & Spirits
04.2016 - 02.2019
- Assumed a leadership role in launching Not Your Father’s Bourbon
- Created custom presentations for each market encompassing yearly goals, suggested pricing and programming
- Delivered presentation to distributor executive management to gain alignment
- Developed pricing and programming for all states (Breakthru, Badger, Great Lakes & SGWS)
- Worked closely with distributor trade development to ensure pricing standards and programming were in place
- Led national off premise chain development plans
- Secured distribution in Binny’s, Jewel-Osco, Kroger, Meijer and Total Wine
- Mentored and developed two area managers, leading to both being promoted to elevated positions
- Launched White Girl Rosé and Babe Rosé which depleted 65K cases in first year prior to AB purchase
Head Sales Manager - Midwest
Windy Hill Spirits/American Born Moonshine
05.2015 - 02.2016
- Over delivered on 3 consecutive division quarterly volume goals
- Lead development of company business planning/management tool
- Responsible for the two best state launches (MN & WI) in company history
- MN – 1064 cases & WI – 923 cases the first month
National Accounts Manager - Off Premise
William Grant & Son’s
06.2011 - 05.2015
- FY14 -grew four Nielsen reporting accounts by over 30% on both dollars and volume (Jewel, Meijer, Target, Walgreens)
- +33.3% dollars or +$2,966,998 combined and +30.9% volume or +15,013 cases combined
- Drove over 7,500 points of new distribution with-in my assigned accounts
- Recipient of the Reyka Inventivator Award in 2014 for the Reyka mini hat endcap program in Target
- Nominated for two company-wide awards under the “Passion For Nurturing Brands” and “Freedom to Win”
Market Manager & Regional Chain Manager
Bacardi U.S.A., Inc.
01.2005 - 06.2011
District Manager & Sales Representative
Southern Wine and Spirits of Illinois
03.2001 - 01.2005
Education
Bachelor of Science -
Eureka College
Eureka, IL12.2000
Skills
- Skilled sales professional with proven track record of driving sales growth through direct sales, development of marketing plans and inspiring execution through a team of sales representatives
- Experienced in developing sales and marketing strategies to achieve sales objectives
- Strong communication and relationship building skills
- Excellent presentation and negotiation skills
- Motivated and goal-oriented sales professional
- Strong analytical skills
Training
- Impactful Presentations Program – Patricia Kantor Associates
- Decker Communications–Communicating to Influence
- Sales Coaching/Leadership – Tom Fox/CM Profit Group
- McKinney Rodgers - High Performing Teams
- Key Account Leadership – Tom Fox/CM Profit Group
- Franklin Covey – Achieving Your Highest Priorities
- Speakeasy – Talk so People Listen
- Franklin Covey–7 Habits of Highly Effective Managing
- Delta Associates – Category Management
Timeline
Director of Sales - Central
L & T Spirits
06.2024 - Current
Director of Sales – Midwest
The Wine Group
01.2023 - 05.2024
Regional Vice President – Central
Citadel Beverages
04.2021 - 01.2023
Regional Vice President – Midwest
Devils River Whiskey
02.2019 - 03.2021
Regional Sales Manager – Midwest
Phusion Projects/Innovative Wines & Spirits
04.2016 - 02.2019
Head Sales Manager - Midwest
Windy Hill Spirits/American Born Moonshine
05.2015 - 02.2016
National Accounts Manager - Off Premise
William Grant & Son’s
06.2011 - 05.2015
Market Manager & Regional Chain Manager
Bacardi U.S.A., Inc.
01.2005 - 06.2011
District Manager & Sales Representative
Southern Wine and Spirits of Illinois
03.2001 - 01.2005
Bachelor of Science -
Eureka College
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