National Sales Director - Allagash Brewing Company

Overview

Allagash Brewing Company, a respected independently owned craft brewery based in Portland, Maine, seeks an accomplished commercial leader to drive growth and guide the brand through current market challenges. This role demands a strategic and adaptive approach to elevate the brand beyond maintaining status quo by aligning a remote team and revising go-to-market efforts.

Key Responsibilities

• Create and implement a strategy to grow Allagash White, representing over 80% of the brewery's portfolio.
• Lead a dispersed, high-performing sales team with transparent communication, accountability, and support.
• Assess brand health, portfolio design, pricing models, market focus, channel strategies, and distributor performance.
• Interpret market data, consumer behavior, and field insights to drive focused commercial actions.
• Strengthen distributor and key account partnerships while enhancing market-level execution.
• Collaborate with brewing, operations, finance, marketing, and leadership teams to prioritize and allocate resources effectively.
• Advise on innovation, brand promotion, packaging decisions, and discontinue underperforming initiatives thoughtfully and decisively.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years in leadership managing geographically distributed teams.
• Proven success in steering brands through market contractions and disruptions.
• Strong experience within craft beer, beverage alcohol, or similar consumer packaged goods sectors.
• Comprehensive leadership expertise spanning sales, marketing, distributor management, and field operations.
• Analytical skills to diagnose issues, prioritize strategies, and effect measurable improvements.
• Strong executive presence capable of influencing key stakeholders including owners, distributors, and retailers.
• Exceptional emotional intelligence and communication skills with a talent for motivating remote teams.
• Willingness to relocate or commute regularly to Portland, Maine, the company headquarters.

Ideal Attributes

• Commitment to the on-premise channel, traditionally accounting for half of sales.
• Proactive mindset to build momentum in dynamic conditions without waiting for perfection.
• Respect for craft beer culture paired with readiness to evolve brand relevance each season.
• Business acumen in managing profit and loss for margin enhancement.
• Effective remote leader who maintains connections, accountability, and team energy.

Why This Opportunity Matters

This role is pivotal at a time when the craft beer industry faces significant headwinds. As one of the few remaining independent B Corps with a commitment to sustainability and community, Allagash Brewing Company offers a unique platform for a visionary leader to elevate a strong flagship brand amid a streamlined portfolio and complex market dynamics.