Andrew Itzkowitz Email & Phone Number

New York, NY, US

STARTUP AI, a Sales Management & Consulting Agency, specializes in emerging better-for-you natural and specialty brands. As STARTUP AI continues to onboard exceptional brands, I'm eager to showcase their products to retailers and distributors across the retail and foodservice industry.

Green Island, New York, US

• Strategic Market Expansion: Spearheaded the launch of MyBacon, a mycelium-based bacon alternative, securing listings at over 400 key accounts across natural, specialty, and conventional channels, including Whole Foods.
• Direct Store Delivery (DSD) Success: Designed and led an internal DSD program servicing over 100 premium retailers across NYC and the Hudson Valley. Activities included optimizing shelf placement, soliciting reorders.
• Unparalleled Category Performance: Through tailored sales, merchandising, and promotional efforts, grew MyBacon's velocities to 3X that of leading competitive plant-based bacons in the Natural Channel, as validated by.
• Distribution Partnership Expansion: Established and nurtured a strategic partnership with Rainforest Distribution, driving new account acquisition and retail growth across the Northeast, North-Atlantic, and.
• Innovative Sales Leadership: Leveraged cross-functional collaboration and data-driven insights to implement field sales strategies that consistently outperformed expectations, positioning MyBacon as a leader in.

San Francisco, California, US

• Strategic Account Expansion: Rapidly expanded distribution for Hooray Foods’ plant-based bacon across natural and conventional channels, securing placement in over 1,000 stores, including Wegmans, Big Y, Better Health.
• Influencing Key Decision Makers: Adopted an educational forward approach to plant-based merchandising, securing pivotal meetings with major buyers, including the Albertsons national bacon buyer, UNFI Meat Category.
• Broker and Distributor Partnerships: Established critical partnerships with Green Spoon Sales for nationwide retail brokerage and Whitetoque for foodservice distribution, making Hooray Foods a preferred choice for.
• Data-Backed Selling Strategy: Utilized SPINS data and industry insights to identify category opportunities, tailoring sales pitches to resonate with both conventional and natural buyers. Before: Generalized sales.
• Demo-Driven Velocity Growth: Executed a Whole Foods Market demo campaign in January 2022, achieving a 450% sales lift, the highest post-COVID velocity for the brand. Before: Limited in-store engagement. After.

Eugene, Oregon, US

• Sales Growth & Market Penetration:Managed $13MM in annual sales with a focus on key accounts across the Eastern US and Canada, primarily growing Yogi Tea and Choice Organics through existing channels, and opening up.
• Trade Spend & Promotional Strategy:Managed a $2MM trade budget to operate promotional activities across key retail accounts. Developed and executed targeted promotional plans with distributors and retailers, optimizing.
• Key Account Development & Retention:Oversaw and strengthened relationships with major retailers like Ahold/Delhaize, Big Y, and Wakefern, Loblaw’s, Price Chopper, and Tops Markets ensuring product availability and.
• Distributor & Product Launch Strategy:Managed an average pf 40 SKUs across distributors and retailers. Spearheaded successful new SKU launches every year, working closely retailers, distributors, and with the.
• Syndicated Data Analysis & Category Insights: Leveraged syndicated data (SPINS/IRI) to identify category trends and market opportunities, providing detailed insights that improved merchandising strategies and inventory.

Rye, New York, US

• Brand Expansion & Distribution:Drove the expansion of Bonne Maman’s presence in the US and Canada by securing new listings at major chains including Costco, BJ’s, and expanding SKU facings and assortments at.
• Sales Growth through Promotional Strategies:Developed and executed customized retail promotions across multiple channels (Conventional, Natural, Specialty, Mass, Club). Promoted brand visibility through national.
• New Product Development & Launches:Spearheaded the launch of multiple new products and secondary displays, including the Bonne Maman Frozen Desserts, Tartlets, Holiday Gift Pack Sampler Set, and Spreads for Cheese.
• Retailer & Distributor Relationships:Established strong partnerships with national importers, distributors and brokers, conducting in-depth category reviews that identified key growth opportunities and set strategy.
• Category Analysis & Insights:Routinely analyzed syndicated sales data (SPINS/IRI) to gain deep insights into market trends, consumer behavior, and product performance, enabling the team to optimize pricing strategies.

• Revenue Growth & Market Expansion:Successfully developed a gluten-free division that generated +$1MM in annual sales across grocery, frozen, and bakery departments. Spearheading nationwide distribution with major.
• Retail & Distribution Success:Secured product listings at prominent regional supermarket chains and specialty retailers, including Shoprite, Lunds/Byerlys, and natural/organic health food stores. Led the design and.
• Packaging Innovation & New Market Segments:Developed a private label gluten-free in-store bakery program at Lunds/Byerlys and a branded Fresh Bakery program at Shoprite, expanding the brand’s presence in key retail.
• Brand Visibility & Reach:Developed and managed the brand’s website to enhance e-commerce sales and improve brand awareness,
• Strategic Partnerships & Industry Leadership:Forged partnerships with national gluten-free organizations, enhancing the brand’s credibility and contributing to wider consumer adoption. Represented the brand at trade.

• Launched & Expanded Natural Foods Division:Established the natural foods division for a major NYC-based kosher distributor, transitioning from exclusively kosher retail accounts to offering products across natural food.
• Strategic Marketing & Brand Exposure:Promoted key natural food brands by exhibiting at industry events, including Natural Products Expo West and the National Restaurant Association's Shows, increasing brand recognition.
• Retail Sales & Distribution:Drove sales growth by securing product placements in +50 natural and specialty independent stores throughout New York City, across refrigerated, frozen, and grocery departments.
• Allergen-Free Product Advocacy & Partnerships:Built strong partnerships with allergen-free support groups in the Tri-State area to foster community engagement and increase awareness of the company’s allergen-free.
• Consulting for Brand Development & Market Penetration:Consulted for Abeles-Hermann, Veggie Made Great, and NutraSalt, advising on reformulating products and successfully rebranding to be healthier and more natural.