Head of Sales - National Food Company - Candidate 12418

Proven Sales Leader with 20+ years of success in growing market share for Food, Sports nutrition, and Non-Foods Manufacturers. Ready to leverage experience and management skill to succeed at national retail and distribution accounts including:

• Walmart
• Dollar Tree
• Aldi
• Publix
• Meijer
• HEB
• Safeway/Albertsons
• General Nutrition Centers
• Amazon
• Shop Rite
• Groupon
• Vitamin Shoppe
• KeHe
• True North

OBJECTIVES

To bring my experience in business development, team building, and innovation to drive the most successful strategy possible for the company. Looking to join a strong management team with a great culture in a senior sales or general management role where my broad talents will help deliver profitable growth.

EXPERIENCE

National Pasta Company

National Pasta Company is a private label, brand, and contract manufacturing company producing macaroni side dishes, convenience snack foods and other assorted food items. Started in mid-2013; construction began January 2014; production began August 2014; and sales began in September 2014. Safe Quality Foods certification achieved in March 2015. The National Pasta Company portfolio serves the retail, private label and contract brand markets.

ACTIVITIES

• Lead business development including strategy, product development, marketing, employee relations, and overall business planning.
• Oversee 20 employees.
• Delivered sales from $0 to over $7+ million run rate in three years since plant became commercialized.
• Oversee awareness campaign and social media properties to drive New Brand.
• Launched our new brand in dollar store trade and achieved distribution in over 14,000 stores.
• Drove innovation at Walmart to launch 5 new and unique Private Label items gaining new distribution and sales across 4,000 stores. Launched new Gluten Free product line at Wal-Mart September 2017.
• Retail customer portfolio: Dollar Tree, Aldi, Publix, Meijer, HEB, Safeway/Albertsons, Walmart, General Nutrition Centers, Amazon, Shop Rite, Groupon, Vitamin Shoppe, KeHe, True North (CA) among others.
• Oversight of all hiring activities, employee policies and administration including insurance and benefits.
• Assisted in oversight of plant construction, permitting applications, architectural plan as well as purchasing of plant and capital equipment with partners.
• Manage all company sales and marketing functions including all broker and direct activity across retail, contract manufacturing and distributor channels.
• Developed and launched new innovative High Protein Product in 2016 and gained 6,000+ stores in six months. Negotiated exclusive distribution in the Middle East and Canada and developed on-line business.
• National Pasta Company also produces several brands through contract manufacturing agreements for domestic and export markets.

Personal Care & Associated Products - a publicly held manufacturer of private label and branded diapers, training pants and youth pants. Responsible for a $125 million sales portfolio across 25+ customers.

ACTIVITIES

• Directly managed a team of five professionals covering retail, healthcare and specialty classes of trade.
• Developed one direct report to the level of Vice President.
• Major accounts: HEB, Toys R US, Aldi, Topco, Covidien, Seventh Generation, AAFES, Delhaize, Western Family, BJ's Wholesale, Save-A-Lot, Stater Bros, Raley's among others.
• Team also managed company owned Fitti®, Fisher Price® and Sleep Well® brands.
• Participated in the strategic sales planning process (ES&OP) and the general support of the Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing. Provided additional and strong management support through acquisition and transition periods.

Note: Responsibilities were increased in November of 2011 to encompass additional customers and direct reports after the acquisition of an existing business.

• Performed a critical role in the integration of this new business; maintaining 24 customers through transition and plant closing.
• Successfully transitioned ALL new business customers within 6 months with no loss of revenue.
• Secured new business at national discounter during acquisition transition.

Store Brand Children's Absorbent Products

ACTIVITIES

• Managed sales revenue from $120 to ~$200 million across 25+ customers and over 600 SKU's.
• Managed all company sales and three National Account Executives plus staff assistant.
• Added top-line sales through new business growth across the Toy, Drug/healthcare and Club classes of trade.
• Developed and promoted one direct report to Sr. Account Executive in 2009.
• Served as an integral part of the company culture and maintained an excellent reputation in the trade for being knowledgeable, trustworthy, and effective.
• Managed all sales personnel including retention, career development and terminations.
• From 1997 to 2009 added over $80 million in new business sales to company portfolio achieving key objective in company long term strategy.
• Developed marketing programs with national consumer product and private brand companies as well as creating unique programs with the Clifford The Big red Dog© license.
• Co-Developed Direct to Club program with Kruger Paper to ship diapers and paper to BJ's Wholesale Club.
• Team received vendor/partner awards at key customers including: HEB, Topco, and Toys R US

Store Brand Children's Absorbent Products

ACTIVITIES

• Responsible for sales management of $30,000,000+ in retailer private label assorted childcare protective garments. Managed 10 brokers plus direct call responsibilities.
• Personally delivered significant new business at: HEB, Covidien, Food Lion, Hannaford Bros, AWG, Western Family and Shopko.
• Vendor of the Year Awards: Shopko and HEB

Promoted To VP Sales

The leading Italian food importer/distributor of Olive Oil, Pasta and Specialty Products.

ACTIVITIES

• Managed over $8+ million in sales with 10 food brokerage firms and three direct reports.
• Managed sales team and customers through Company purchase by competitor.

Promoted to Regional Sales Manager rapidly increasing sales and exceeding objectives.

Previous Employment: Catalina Marketing, the Great A&P Tea Company and Gamboi Foods.

EDUCATION

• The Executive MBA: Planning, Product and Financial Management
• Bachelor of Science - Saint Joseph's University, Philadelphia, PA.
• Graduate of the Academy of Food Marketing with Sales and Retail Co-Operative experience

EXECUTIVE EDUCATION

• Darden School of Business: Finance for non-financial managers
• University Of Michigan: Effective Sales Management

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