About the role

Working closely with the founders, distilling team and marketing team, you will lead commercial growth across Cairns and Far North Queensland, with the opportunity to contribute to wider Australian market development as the business grows. Success will be measured by the quality of accounts, product visibility, rate of sale, repeat ordering and profitable revenue—not simply the number of listings opened.

Key responsibilities

- Build solid relationships with leading bars, restaurants, hotels, independent bottle shops, hospitality groups and specialist spirits retailers. Prospect, pitch and secure strategically valuable new accounts.

- Turn initial listings into active, reordering accounts through product visibility, staff engagement, signature serves and account support. Focus on rate of sale, velocity, depletion and customer loyalty—not placements alone.

- Host engaging trade tastings, product presentations, staff education, rum masterclasses and selected consumer tastings that help customers confidently recommend and sell our products.

- Develop selected wholesale and distributor opportunities as our national footprint grows, while keeping Cairns and Far North Queensland as the immediate priority.

- Work with the distilling and marketing teams on account activations, signature serves, festivals, events and campaigns that increase trial and repeat sales.

- Maintain an accurate CRM, disciplined pipeline and reliable forecasts. Report regularly on opportunities, conversions, revenue, volume, active accounts, reorders, margins and account performance. Work to agreed growth targets while protecting pricing, margin and the premium positioning of the brand.

About you





- A proven record in sales or business development within the Australian liquor, spirits, wine, hospitality, FMCG or premium beverage industry. Direct experience selling spirits would be particularly valuable.

- Established relationships with hospitality operators, beverage managers, bartenders, independent retailers, liquor buyers, distributors or wholesalers are highly desirable.

- Confidence working to targets, maintaining an accurate CRM, managing pipeline health, preparing forecasts and negotiating listings, activations and promotional agreements with sound pricing and margin discipline.

- A proactive, self-directed approach and the drive to identify opportunities, make the approach, get in front of customers and ask for the business—without waiting for corporate hand-holding.

- A current driver licence and willingness to travel across Far North Queensland and, as required, interstate.

- A practical understanding of Queensland liquor licensing and responsible service requirements is desirable.

- Curiosity and genuine enthusiasm for great drinks.

About us

The Cairns Rum Company is a specialist distillery based in Tropical North Queensland. We have a simple focus: we make authentic, world-class rum right in the heart of North Queensland sugarcane country. Our lineup ranges from exceptionally smooth, approachable Foundation rums made for the best cocktail bars and retailers, through to bold, distinctive limited releases that turn heads across the spirits industry.

Benefits

- Base salary of $90,000–$105,000 plus superannuation

- Motor vehicle or vehicle allowance

- Performance incentive of up to 15%, depending on experience and capability

- Direct access to leadership, zero red tape, and genuine ownership over your territory

📌 Sales Manager (Cairns North)
🏢 The Cairns Rum
📍 Cairns North