Now Hiring - Goko Energy - Area Sales Manager in Seattle, WA

Full description of the position

Brand: GoKo Energy Category: Functional Coconut Water Beverage Location: Pacific Northwest, territory-based Reports to: Founder / Co-Founder About GoKo GoKo is a functional beverage brand built for Gen Z and millennial consumers who want clean energy without the crash. Made with guarana-based caffeine in a coconut water base, GoKo combines hydration, flavor, and functional energy in one ready-to-drink beverage. Available in Lychee, Ginger & Lime, Pineapple, and Watermelon, GoKo is currently carried by select retailers including Fred Meyer, QFC, and Market of Choice, with continued retail expansion planned across the Pacific Northwest.

Position Summary

GoKo is seeking an entrepreneurial and relationship-driven Area Sales Manager to lead retail growth across the Pacific Northwest. This role will be responsible for expanding distribution, strengthening existing retail relationships, improving in-store execution, and driving sales velocity across key accounts and independent retailers. The ideal candidate has hands-on CPG or beverage sales experience, understands retail execution, and is comfortable operating in a fast-moving startup environment. This is a field-forward role for someone who can build buyer relationships, open new doors, solve store-level issues, and turn regional opportunity into measurable sales growth. Key ResponsibilitiesRetail Account Management

• Manage and grow relationships with national and regional retail buyers across grocery, natural, specialty, convenience, and independent retail channels.
• Support and expand GoKo's presence with existing retail partners, including Fred Meyer, QFC, and Market of Choice.
• Build strong relationships with store managers, category managers, field teams, and distributor partners.
• Serve as the primary regional point of contact for retail partners within the assigned territory. Distribution Growth
• Identify and pursue new retail opportunities across the Pacific Northwest, including independent grocers, gyms, cafs, campus retailers, specialty stores, and convenience accounts.
• Secure new placements and expand SKU distribution within existing and new accounts.
• Negotiate shelf placement, cold-box positioning, promotional opportunities, and merchandising support.
• Work with leadership to prioritize high-potential accounts and build a clear regional growth pipeline. In-Store Execution
• Conduct regular store visits to audit product availability, merchandising, shelf placement, pricing, and cold-box compliance.
• Ensure GoKo products are visible, well-stocked, correctly priced, and merchandised according to brand standards.
• Identify and resolve store-level issues related to inventory, placement, promotions, and product visibility.
• Monitor competitor activity, pricing, promotions, and shelf positioning across the territory. Sales Performance & Reporting
• Track regional sales performance, including sales velocity, distribution points, SKU count, reorder rates, and account-level growth.
• Monitor underperforming stores and develop action plans to improve sell-through.
• Prepare regular updates for leadership on account progress, market feedback, sales trends, and growth opportunities.
• Use sales data and field insights to recommend improvements to retail strategy, promotional planning, and account prioritization. Distributor & Broker Coordination
• Coordinate with distributors, brokers, and retail partners to ensure proper inventory levels, timely order fulfillment, and smooth execution.
• Support sell-in and sell-through efforts by providing product education, account updates, and field-level feedback.
• Partner with distributors and brokers to improve territory coverage, increase reorder frequency, and strengthen retail execution. Local Activation & Brand Building
• Plan and execute in-store demos, sampling events, retail promotions, and local activations.
• Collaborate with the marketing team on regional content opportunities, community partnerships, and field marketing initiatives.
• Represent GoKo at retail events, community activations, trade opportunities, and sampling programs.
• Gather consumer and retailer feedback to help inform product positioning, messaging, and future sales strategy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, Sales, or a related field preferred.
• 5+ years of CPG, beverage, grocery, natural channel, or field sales experience.
• Experience selling into retail accounts, ideally within functional beverage, better-for-you, wellness, or emerging food and beverage brands.
• Existing relationships with regional grocery, natural, specialty, or convenience buyers are a strong plus.
• Understanding of retail merchandising, cold-box execution, promotional planning, and store-level sales drivers.
• Experience working with distributors, brokers, or DSD networks preferred.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple accounts, store visits, follow-ups, and reporting deadlines across a territory.
• Highly organized, self-motivated, and comfortable managing multiple accounts across a territory.
• Data-informed approach to sales, with the ability to track performance and translate insights into action.
• Comfortable working in a startup environment with evolving priorities, high ownership, and hands-on execution.
• Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and willingness to travel regularly throughout the territory.
• Ability to spend 50%+ of time in the field visiting stores, meeting buyers, and supporting activations.
• Familiarity with retail portals, including Kroger/Fred Meyer systems, is a plus. Ideal Candidate The ideal candidate is a builder, entrepreneurial in in nature. They know how to open retail doors, nurture buyer relationships, and improve product performance at the store level. They are equally comfortable pitching a regional buyer, auditing a shelf, running a demo, reviewing sales data, and troubleshooting distributor issues. They will bring urgency, accountability, and a strong understanding of how emerging beverage brands grow in retail.

Compensation

Base salary of $40, 000-$60,000 plus performance-based bonus of $20,000-$60,000 tied to distribution growth, sales velocity, and regional account performance. Mileage and approved travel expenses will be reimbursed. Pay: $64,388.37 - $120,000.00 per year Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred) Ability to Commute:
• Seattle, WA 98109 (Required) Willingness to travel:
• 50% (Required) Work Location: In person