Innovation Sales Director

Company Overview:

Rhinegeist Brewery is a regional craft brewery based in the historic Over-the-Rhine in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. We have built a strong and dedicated team of employees that believe in the power of beer to bring people together, create fantastic ideas, and build a community. Our unique group of employee-owners believes that it is our responsibility to make inspiring beverages and cultivate memorable experiences. We strive to find high-quality, creative solutions with a fierce spirit of independence as we grow. Rhinegeist welcomes all people and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Diverse candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Position Summary:

The Innovation Sales Director will lead Rhinegeist’s go-to-market strategy, execution, and long-term growth across emerging and innovative beverage categories. This role will be responsible for developing new distribution networks, managing strategic partnerships, and establishing sales infrastructure for novel product lines that expand the Rhinegeist portfolio beyond traditional craft beer.

The immediate focus of this position will be the successful launch and expansion of Rhinegeist’s Delta-9 product line—a pioneering entry into the intoxicating hemp beverage space. Over time, the Innovation Sales Director will continue to lead innovation-driven sales strategies for future products and categories that support Rhinegeist’s vision of creativity, quality, and growth.

Essential Functions:

• Lead strategy and execution for sales and distribution of Rhinegeist’s innovative beverage portfolio, beginning with the Delta-9 product line.
• Develop and implement a scalable multi-state sales framework that aligns with the company’s innovation roadmap and regulatory landscape.
• Identify, evaluate, and secure distribution and retail partnerships across new and emerging markets.
• Negotiate and execute distributor and retail agreements, ensuring favorable terms and sustainable long-term partnerships.
• Build, train, and lead a high-performing sales network or team to drive innovation sales success.
• Collaborate closely with Marketing, Product Development, Operations, and Finance teams to align innovation launches with brand strategy, production, and pricing models.
• Monitor and analyze market performance, distributor results, and category trends to identify opportunities for expansion and optimization.
• Lead go-to-market planning for future innovation launches, including product positioning, activation strategies, and sales tools.
• Represent Rhinegeist at trade shows, industry events, and key account meetings to strengthen visibility and drive business development.
• Stay informed on evolving regulations across hemp, non-alcoholic, and alternative beverage segments to ensure compliance and strategic readiness.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or related field (MBA preferred).
• 7+ years of progressive experience in beverage alcohol, cannabis, or CPG sales leadership.
• Proven success launching and scaling new products or categories across multi-state networks.
• Strong track record of negotiating and managing distributor relationships and retail partnerships.
• Knowledge of hemp, THC, and other functional beverage categories and their regulatory considerations preferred.
• Strategic, entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to turn innovative concepts into actionable sales strategies.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and analytical skills.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, evolving marketplace and work cross-functionally across departments.
• Willingness to travel frequently (up to 50%).
   

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods.
• Ability to lift and move cases of product weighing up to 25 lbs.
• Ability to travel frequently for meetings, events, and market visits.
   

Please consider applying even if you do not match all the listed qualifications. Additionally, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of a position.

Benefits at Rhinegeist

• Health/Dental/Vision Insurance
• Employer Paid Basic Life Insurance
• 17 Days of PTO
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Paid Short-Term/Long-Term Disability/Additional Life Insurance
• Dependent Care – Flexible Spending Account
• 401k Match Offered
• 8 Company & 2 Personal Holidays
• Employee Assistance Program
• Free Breakroom Snacks
• Beer and Merchandise Allowance