Southern Wine & Spirits Reviews

Pros

Most of the time you work independently.

Cons

Quotas are sometimes unrealistic and unattainable.

Pros

Good Group of people to work with. Everyone is supportive and open to questions. Mid and Senior level Managers are great.

Cons

Some of the demands of the job can get in the way of personal life. You just have to weight what is more important to you.

Advice to Senior Management

Possibly look at some of the positions you have and how some people breeze through because of low demands while others are asked to do more with less.

Pros

Encourages a life-work balance thru various wellness programs

Cons

Improve professional development programs to encourage continued growth

Pros

Salary level ..but you paid for it !

Cons

Senior management were unrelenting -constant pressure with NO clue about field sales! Demoralizing, rude and hypocritical by never applying what they say to what THEY do.

Advice to Senior Management

Treat your mid level management with the same respect you want in return. Stop hiding out behind your desks and offer support in the field in order to understand the current market trends.

Pros

They really try and help you along with your career.
The always want you to do the best that you can.

Cons

It is hard to move around to a different state, I tried moving and no one called me back at the state that was trying to move to.

Pros

Good benefits, fun environment and people to work with within this great company and culture. There are endless possibilities in regards to career path and income, with most senior management making over $400k. Many people have been with the company 25+ years and have a great deal of pride in their work. Free wine and spirits from time-to-time, unlike always in the general market.

Cons

Waking up at 4:45am everyday was horrible, however this is the only position in the company that requires that. You work way more than 40 hours a week and they pay hourly without overtime. Most employees aspire to work in the On or Off Premise and it usually takes 2-3 years of hell to get the opportunity to do so.

Advice to Senior Management

Put the Chain Territory Managers back on salary.

Pros

Great opportunity for advancement etc.

Cons

Compensation package/ Southern wine and spirits

Pros

Ok benefits package
States sales meetings are fun, but it is just to get you pumped up to make money for the company
Product oriented contests, but cold hard cash is the only real motivator
Flexible with time-off and personal days
Supplier resources

Cons

High turnover, older workforce
God awful "salary" w/ car allowance that barely covers gas
Tons of driving
Bad communication
Non-existent career development, "Just go out and find a way to make #s and I don't care" philosophy
Selling to burnout liquor/store managers stuck in retail
The market has changed and the incentive to sell is gone, management knows it but is delusional and refuses to acknowledge. Listen to what really is happening on the streets

Advice to Senior Management

Senior and executive leadership is extremely competent and their strong supplier relationships shows. Listen to and gratify the workforce that executes on street level. I believe this industry used to be a really fun place to work in and middle management with tenure thinks it is still the good ole days.

There is a fine line between what is reasonable pay for this role and Southern pays well below that level.

Any tip for someone considering is network, network, network from day one at any company event or else you'll be stuck in your territory

Pros

Great Night Life experience. Good food and drinking. Made great friends along the way.

Cons

Too many hours. Inadequate comission structure and compensation. Exhausting spending own money to make quotas.

Advice to Senior Management

Hit the streets. Your burning out your customers by force feeding them products they don't need and want. Competition is making their way as brand builders. Our reputation is being made as brand killers.

Pros

Good experience. You will learn alot about the industry. If time was requested off you will get it. If you are a salesman you will get paid. Just be ready to work hard and you can make great money.

Cons

When you request time off you it is known that it is not appreciated. Minimum of 55 hours a week and during busy season 70+ hours. Which is leading up to the holidays and does not stop until the second week of Jan.

Advice to Senior Management

Be more Supportive of employees and give credit where credit is due.