Ben Parker Email & Phone Number

Louisiana, United States

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States

Promoted to partner with the State Manager to accelerate Sazerac’s market share of priority brands for a creator and marketer of a portfolio of 450 brands of spirits and cocktails for every taste and occasion across the globe.• Direct and develop high-value sales programming in collaboration with the wholesaler network, to accelerate sales velocity of Sazerac brands by utilizing the most effective and efficient (high ROI) brand drivers in the marketplace. • Co-manage business in the states of Louisiana and Arkansas with the assistant of the State Manager, including managing the unique complexities of a franchise state (Arkansas) which requires more negotiating and tactical approach to certain items.• Collaborate with field execution team to set and support volume goals and KPIs, localized brand planning and marketing, launching innovation items and forecasting/inventory planning to ensure sufficient inventory availability.• Oversee programming including developing and managing price strategies, negotiating and measuring distributor KPIs, including growth goals and margins, evaluating scan and rebate effectiveness, and monitoring & acting on competitive activity.• Launched multiple new items in both states, supported in pricing builds, conducted numerous trainings with distributor, and provided NA support at distributor level; manage inventory, build KPIs, and implement SOPs for distributors.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States

Led, trained, hired, and managed a team of 12 people to drive sales and market share growth in on- and off-premise accounts throughout 80% of the state of Louisiana.• Provided leadership and direction to twelve Market Development Representatives to generate brand visibility, grow sales and distribution on priority brands, solve customer challenges, and maximize Sazerac market share. • Staffed and developed an in-market sales team by creating and establishing SOPs to ensure accountability, positive culture of “drive for results”, and being action oriented.• Created and implemented KPI and well trackers, tasting processes, scheduling processes, and service reports.• Led weekly training exercises, presented weekly goals, and recapped results at the end of the week.• Developed, implemented, and monitored Impact Selling Programs and Key Performance Indicators working with state managers and distributor partners to execute at store level, drive key sales objectives in markets, and gain share. • Planned and executed consistent sales calls with key on- and off-premise accounts including Carter’s Supermarket, Fred’s Bar & Grill, Albertsons, Olive or Twist, The Revelry, and Nunu’s Fresh Market.• Served a key role in training, launching, and supporting the transition of 72% of the volume in the state of Louisiana from 1 distributor to 4 across the entire state. • Established and implemented strategic programs to guide distribution, innovative launches, displays, feature ads, and retail promotions that produced effective presentation of the brand state priorities.• Completed Leadership 1.0 and Leadership 2.0 training modules.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States

Recruited to manage relationships and grow sales volume with 11 wholesalers throughout the state of Louisiana for the leading privately held brewing company with a robust portfolio of top-quality, world-class craft beers from Texas & California.• Managed sales and marketing initiatives to increase distribution, work closely with the wholesaler network to manage sales execution and create strategic initiatives to drive sales, and maintain relationships with top on- and off-premise accounts.• Oversaw local market execution of a diversified beer portfolio consisting of the Shiner, Bridgeport, and Trumer Pils brand families, including new product and package introductions, distribution, displays, shelf space, and draught placements.• Oversaw budget, managed inventory, forecasted sales, ensured competitive pricing, and worked with National Account Managers.• Ensured wholesalers built, scheduled, and executed relevant promotional programming in a very competitive craft beer market.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana Area

Recruited to provide oversight, strategy, and leadership of local sales and distribution efforts in the state of Louisiana for a Houston, Texas based brewer and marketer of a portfolio of high-quality craft beers; acquired by Anheuser-Busch InBev (ABI) in 2016. • Managed pricing, sales, marketing, and distribution initiatives for the Karbach product portfolio, working closely with 11 ABI wholesalers in diverse markets throughout Louisiana; conducted regular market visits to identify sales opportunities.• Monitored competitive activity and pricing and communicated to wholesalers and home office in Houston.• Worked with wholesalers to maximize brand awareness, distribution, sales, and share growth; attended monthly wholesaler meetings to coach sales teams to keep Karbach brands top-of-mind during retail account sales calls; managed forecasting and inventory.• Developed and strengthened relationships with on- and off-premise chain and independent retail accounts.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana Area

Recruited to manage relationships and grow volume at assigned accounts for an independent distributor of MillerCoors brands and other beverage products serving the greater Baton Rouge market.• Executed the sales process for the entire portfolio of MillerCoors brands and other beverage products on a channel route consisting of 15 accounts at high-volume grocery stores including Walmart, Winn-Dixie, Albertsons, and Rouses.• Led and directed one Driver and four Merchandisers to ensure superior retail execution.• Cultivated and strengthened relationships with key decision makers at retail accounts to drive sales growth through incremental brand and package placement, new product introductions, promotional activity, and shelf-space management.• Developed and managed specific account-level objectives, coordinated deliveries, rotated product, and merchandised accounts.• Provided exceptional customer service and follow-up on all account needs.• Immediately resolved any issues and maintained open communications with all retail accounts.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana Area

Promoted to manage relationships and grow volume at assigned accounts for an independent distributor of Anheuser-Busch and other beverage products serving the greater Baton Rouge market.• Executed the sales process for the entire portfolio of Anheuser-Busch beers and other beverage products on a channel route consisting of 13 accounts at high-volume grocery stores, selling a total of ~500,000 cases per year.• Provided daily leadership and direction to one Driver and four Merchandisers to ensure superior retail execution.• Consistently recognized for superior sales results; winner of 75% of sales incentives and competitions in the company.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana Area

Promoted twice to build account relationships and manage a conventional sales route.• Executed the entire selling process to efficiently service 65 rural accounts including convenience stores, grocery stores, and on-premise retail accounts; maintained appropriate inventory levels and met all sales and service objectives.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana Area

Promoted to manage the sale of non-alcoholic beverages to accounts throughout the market.• Sold-in beverages including Arizona Tea, Luzianne Tea, and Sparkling Ice to the top 100 high-volume, non-alcoholic accounts.• Provided a high-level of customer service, which enabled other sales representatives to maintain focus on beer.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana Area

Recruited as Delivery Helper and promoted after only six months into a full-time Driver position.• Acquired a CDL license to drive an 18-wheeler to deliver and unload cases of beer to bars and retail outlets throughout Baton Rouge; interacted with customers on a regular basis; kept updated and accurate driver and delivery logs.• Performed daily sight inspection of truck, maintained vehicle cleanliness, and advised management of any service issues• Originally assisted the Driver in every aspect of product delivery; unloaded products at customer stores and placed in appropriate storage or retail display locations; rotated product to ensure product quality and freshness.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana Area

Recruited to coordinate merchandising activities in a part-time position while attending college full-time for the leading outsourced sales & marketing agency serving consumer packaged goods companies and retailers across the U.S. and Canada.• Effectively managed, maintained and executed modular resets and remodels for client McCormick at eight Walmart stores.• Established and maintained working relationships with key store management to sell-in displays of McCormick items at retail, and partnered with store associates on scheduling and communication of merchandising, stocking, and cleaning tasks.