Strong connections within Chicago's hospitality industry
Proven track record of market expansion
Entrepreneurial mindset and cultural awareness
Responsibilities
Lead the growth of Good Trouble Bourbon in Chicago
Build and maintain relationships with retailers and venues
Collaborate with distributors to enhance brand visibility
Develop strategic placements in high-impact accounts
Recruit and manage a Cultural Host ambassador team
Execute brand activations and community events
Track and report on market performance and growth opportunities
Benefits
Performance-based bonuses
Opportunities for advancement into regional leadership roles
Participation in building a recognized brand
Engagement with Chicago's cultural and community events
Full Job Description
Good Trouble Bourbon Chicago Market Sales Manager/Market Leader
Chicago | Full Time | Leadership Role Role Overview
We are seeking a Chicago Market Sales Manager to lead the growth of Good Trouble Bourbon across retail, hospitality, and cultural venues.
This is not a traditional spirits sales role.
The right leader will combine sales execution, cultural intelligence, and entrepreneurial drive to establish Good Trouble as a leading premium bourbon brand in Chicago.
You will oversee distribution relationships, retail performance, ambassador teams, and strategic cultural activations. Key Responsibilities Market Leadership
Lead the growth of Good Trouble Bourbon throughout Chicago and surrounding markets.
Build strong relationships with retailers, bars, restaurants, and cultural venues. Distributor Partnership
Work closely with distributor partners to drive: • account placements • sales velocity • brand visibility
Ensure Good Trouble receives strong attention within the distributor portfolio. Retail & On-Premise Expansion
Develop strategic placements in high-impact accounts including: • premium restaurants • cocktail bars • retail liquor stores • cultural venues
Drive strong relationships with key Chicago retailers including: • Binny's Beverage Depot and other leading accounts. Ambassador Team Leadership
Recruit, train, and manage the Good Trouble Cultural Host team.
Ensure brand ambassadors deliver exceptional experiences that translate into sales. Cultural Activation Support
Partner with leadership to execute brand activations including: • tastings • cultural events • hospitality partnerships • community gatherings Performance Tracking
Monitor and report on: • account growth • retail velocity • event performance • market expansion opportunities Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is a relationship-driven market builder who thrives in entrepreneurial environments.
You are equally comfortable: • building relationships with bartenders • presenting to distributor leadership • hosting brand events; creating and executing creative in-market activations • opening new retail accounts Experience
Preferred experience includes: • spirits industry sales • distributor portfolio management • hospitality or beverage experience • account management in Chicago
Strong marketing acumen and network withing the Chicago hospitality community are highly valued. Skills & Attributes
The successful candidate will demonstrate: • strong relationship-building ability • entrepreneurial mindset • cultural awareness and curiosity • exceptional communication skills • disciplined sales execution What Makes This Role Unique
This is an opportunity to help build Chicago's bourbon brand.
You will play a central role in growing a company that sits at the intersection of culture, music, leadership, and premium spirits. Compensation • Competitive base salary • Performance-based bonuses • Opportunity to grow into regional leadership roles • Participation in building a nationally recognized brand To Apply
Please include: • a short introduction • relevant experience • your perspective on how to build a spirits brand in Chicago
