Raptor Guide (Sales)
JOB TITLE: Raptor Guide (Sales)
REPORTS TO: Sales Manager (off-site sales) and Guest Experience Manager (on-site sales)
Job post active since May 15, 2023
WHAT IS OUR COMPANY CULTURE?
Happy Raptor Distilling’s mission is to create premium rum inspired by New Orleans’ culture, community, and the moments that bring us joy. This is not a typical hospitality job. As a multifaceted distillery, we operate as a production and manufacturing facility, an events venue, a tour attraction, a community hub, a tasting room, a corporate office, and a brand. We are a startup in rapid growth with high standards. We work hard (sometimes really hard in the summer heat), and things can change quickly. Most importantly, we’re growing fast by supporting and relying on one another, prioritizing our personal and mental health, and constantly checking in to ensure we each have the tools to meet expectations. We value accountability, adaptability, growth, connection, trust, and pride. We hire for these qualities first, and experience second.
WHAT SHOULD YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS POSITION?
At Happy Raptor, our sales team (or “raptor guides”) manage sales both on-site and off-site, a balance that we believe is essential to maintaining our mission and values as our company grows. On-site in the tasting room, raptor guides lead tours, tastings, cocktail classes, and any variety of tasting room engagement, working directly with our guests and distilling team. Off-site, they bring the experience to our retail buyers, where they ensure the same quality of service and education on how and why our guests love 504Rum and 504Syrups. To accomplish our goals, we need passionate people who love making friends from near and far. Successes and failures are part of our every day. If you’re up for the journey, we can’t wait to learn more about you!
WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES WE NEED IN A RAPTOR GUIDE?
Understanding of and dedication to the company’s mission and vision
A passion for the art and craft of distilling, and appreciation for 504Rum products (or at least an enthusiastic willingness to learn)
A consistent tendency to over-communicate with leadership and colleagues when it comes to balancing priorities and deadlines
A strong sense of self-awareness, maturity, and readiness to practice the giving and receiving of feedback on a daily basis, at all levels of the organization
Excellent time management and organizational skills, understanding the careful balance between planning in advance and the urgent execution of last-minute needs or changes
The patience, flexibility, and positivity necessary to keep up with countless minutiae in an ever-changing, busy, startup environment
A strong sense of professionalism and punctuality when responding to internal and external inquiries and deadlines
A sincere commitment to equity and inclusion, including an eagerness to propose and implement awareness and innovation to improve DEI in our operations and sales strategy
An authentic love for New Orleans and our community
Whole-hearted dedication to the team, while still respecting your own boundaries and those of your colleagues
Self-sufficiency, curiosity, and a “let me look it up” attitude
A deep appreciation for a well-functioning spreadsheet
WHAT ARE THE JOB RESPONSIBILITIES?
This position includes a combination of tasting room duties as well as off site sales duties:
Off-Site Sales & Distributor Relations
Reach out to, conduct tastings with, and obtain new retail accounts
Under the direction of the sales manager, work to hit sales goals, including bottle and syrups sales, on a monthly basis
Touch base with current retail accounts to ensure their needs are met and check in regarding follow up orders
Set up, manage, and breakdown Happy Raptor tables at farmers markets and related events event
Maintain regular communication with the Sales Manager and distribution partners to report status of all accounts and ensure needs are met for both the distributor and retail accounts
Work closely with both the Sales Manager and distribution partners to navigate any challenges that arise in the distribution process
Demonstrate exemplary customer service for retail buyers, building relationships and maintaining regular communication to ensure their needs are met
Maintain regular updates to distribution tracking software, through both Excel spreadsheets and any related e-commerce platforms, as needed
Demonstrate a thorough knowledge and strict adherence to all distribution and liquor laws in Louisiana and other states where 504Rum may distribute
Show a willingness to pivot, experiment with, and sometimes fail, at new sales approaches, e-commerce platform options, and technologies to form Happy Raptor’s ever-developing hybrid digital and traditional distribution approach
On-Site Tasting Room & Tours
Guide guests from around the world in one-hour long tours and tastings of the distillery according to Happy Raptor Distilling’s tour handbook and guidelines, making each guest feel as welcome and comfortable as an old friend for the duration of their stay in the tasting room
Provide outstanding customer service to guests of all backgrounds from near and far
Take orders and prepare cocktails based on the 504Rum menu
Maintain a strong understanding of pricing and the Square POS system
Exemplify a commitment to regular communication via Slack and checking the shared Google calendars for essential information and updates
Ensure a comprehensive knowledge of Happy Raptor Distilling’s products and services, including the approved language for describing those products
Follow all policies and procedures in place for the opening, operating, and closing of the tasting room
Understand and be able to communicate the mission of local nonprofit organizations and/or fundraisers happening in the tasting room
Build a rapport with customers to create a positive atmosphere
Follow all state and local laws regarding serving alcoholic beverages for both on and off premise consumption
Ensure regular cleanliness and tidiness of the tasting room, including the upkeep of daily checklists and in adherence to all requirements of the Louisiana Department of Health
Assist management in any inventory needs, including the occasional grocery run and reporting existing and needed supplies
Maintain an understanding of the Schedulista tour scheduling software
Assist the Events & Partnerships Manager with occasional decoration and setup of the tasting room for holidays and events
WHO SHOULD APPLY?:
Happy Raptor is an equal opportunity employer, and we strongly encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. Historically, distilling can be an exclusionary industry - Happy Raptor is not about that. We love to teach and we love learners. The ideal team member for this position should be able to communicate in English (reading, writing and speaking) and knowledge of other languages is an advantage. Candidates must be able to perform some light lifting of bottles, cases, or equipment.
HOW IS THIS SUPPOSED TO WORK, EXACTLY?
Raptor guides are expected to work an average of 1-3 shifts per week in the tasting room, at maximum. The remainder of their time is devoted to off-site sales. While we try to be flexible about scheduling, candidates must be willing to work some evenings, weekends, and most Mardi Gras Uptown parades.
WHAT’S THE PAY?
This is an hourly position, available either part-time or full-time. Base pay begins at $10/hour. This position also includes commission for all off-site bottle sales of 504Rum and 504Syrups, as well as equally shared tips and/or service fees for on-premise tasting room sales.
ARE THERE BENEFITS?
Health insurance (standard and short-term disability) is available, although not subsidized by the company (yet - it’s a one-day goal). Very flexible schedule. PTO, paid volunteer hours, and paid bereavement leave available for all employees. Company-supported continuing development opportunities.
HOW TO APPLY?
Send your resume and contact information to our team at hello@happyraptor.com, or apply via any relevant online platforms where you see our job description!