CAREERS

Our Culture's Signature Blend

We are an actual family business, but when we refer to the “Imperial Family”, we mean that if you work here, we’re going to look out for you and take care of you like family. We want you to succeed in your work and personal life and have exceptional experiences here along the way.

When the Cekola family purchased Imperial Beverage in 1984, the seller was looking for someone who would create local jobs, give back to the community and keep the business around for a long time. There were about 13 Imperial Beverage employees at that time and today we have around 330 employees statewide. Our internal drive to succeed made us put in the hard work in the past and it’s what keeps us alive today. While you’re here, you’ll be expected to put in the hard work that we’re known for. Doing the right thing to help a co-worker, a customer, a supplier or our community succeed is our purpose and if we can accomplish all that with a little fun mixed in, we’ll grab a drink to celebrate!

A true garnish can be transformative with minimal effort. This is why we focus on only hiring people who enhance our culture through their complementary values and skills. Each of our employees provide an interesting touch to our culture’s signature blend. We look forward to seeing what you add!

“I absolutely love this company as if it is family. One of the greatest (and rarest) aspects of Imperial Beverage is our open and honest policy. We are all on the same team fighting and pulling in the same direction. It's awesome to know that if you have an issue, you can let it be know. That, and beer.“

“I like how you include us and want feedback from us as employees and we feel like family.”

“My favorite thing about working at Imperial are the people…and Malort but mostly the people.”

“I love working at Imperial Beverage because of the people I work with, products we sell and the brands we represent. I love representing such great brands, many of them being local to Michigan, and growing their presence throughout the state. Every day presents something new and exciting. I am proud to be a member of the Imperial family.”

“Imperial is a great place to work because everyone is willing to help each other. It does not matter whether they are a member of your direct team or not. We have divisions but we are not divided. Our shared common goal and ability to work together is what makes Imperial such a special place. I appreciate the sense of camaraderie and family energy.”

“Imperial Beverage is a fantastic place to work. With plenty of opportunities for personal and professional growth, it is apparent that this family-owned company takes pride and interest in their employees. The culture that has been created in this workplace is fun and exciting, and the employees here truly make this a special place. A work-hard/play-hard mentality is what Imperial is about, and celebrating our teams hard work together is always a thing I look forward to.”

“I love working at Imperial Beverage because I can be myself, watch everyone grow, and have fun with the amazing people around me. Helping others succeed is really at the heart of what we do. Even on my bad days, there's always someone who manages to make me laugh or smile.”

“Not only do we have a fantastic portfolio of products, the people I work with are all wonderful- knowledgeable, kind, and always ready to help!”

“There is never a dull moment at Imperial! I always have work to keep me very busy and no matter how crazy my day may get, someone always makes me laugh. The work hard, play hard culture is very real here!“

“I love the people I work with and the goal we share: to get better each day.“

“I am passionate about this company because of the people. We hire and fire based on our core values, and when we take the time to do that right we only end up with great people. Our people are what makes us great and that makes it so damn easy to wake up and be passionate about Imperial Beverage.“

Core Values

Customer Focus

We honor our commitments and deliver exceptional customer experiences.

Hard Work

We are driven to out-smart, out-perform, & out-hustle the competition.

Integrity

We are professional, trustworthy, and accountable.

Passion

We believe in our people, products, & company.

Promotions in 2025

Imperial is a company you can grow with. So far in 2025, we have promoted 40 internal candidates to fill a new or open position.

Leadership Promotions

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68% of our leaders have been promoted internally. Our best hires come from our own team.

Benefits

Taxi Reimbursement

We enjoy the beer, wine, and spirits that we distribute, and we make sure to do so responsibly. Imperial offers full reimbursement any time an employee needs to take a taxi, Uber, or Lyft to get home safely after a night out.

Kick Ass Events

Each year Imperial hosts kick ass events for our employees and their families where people from all departments and all parts of the state are able to connect and build the relationships that make us the Imperial Beverage family.

Paid Time Off

We offer a generous PTO policy with 3.5 weeks of paid time off annually starting your first year and accrual begins on day one. PTO accrual increases with length of service and unused time rolls over each year.

Imperial Beverage University

Imperial Beverage University was created to give employees ongoing development opportunities to assist in the growth of their career. We offer internal and external classes that help employees gain knowledge in all aspects of the company and expand their skill sets.

Education Trips

Imperial offers annual domestic and international trips to learn more about the beverage industry and our products.

Referral Program

We’re always looking for great people, and some of our best hires come from employee referrals. Employees who refer someone who’s a strong fit for Imperial Beverage and who is hired and remains employed for a specified period may be eligible for a referral bonus.

401(k) Retirement

Employees can start investing in their future with Traditional and Roth account options, employer matching contributions and immediate vesting starting from their first contribution.

Paid Parental Leave

Imperial offers up to 40 hours of paid time off after the birth or placement of a child in connection with adoption or foster care.

Paid Volunteering

We encourage all Imperial staff to be active in their communities and employees can volunteer and be paid up to 8 hours annually at a charity or organization of their choice.

Health Insurance

Our employees have the flexibility to select the medical, dental, and vision coverage that best suits themselves and their families. In addition, we offer health savings accounts, flexible spending accounts, and dependent care accounts to further support their healthcare needs. Disability and life insurance are also available, along with medical reimbursement for those who opt out of coverage.