Benjamin Gardner Email & Phone Number

Developing strategies and processes for supporting margin objectives of the divisions within the Central Region while aligning with overall Gordon Food Service goals and initiatives.

Greater Grand Rapids, Michigan Area

Lead and provide strategic merchandising direction for the grocery and grain commodities category through collaboration with key internal and external stakeholders.

Greater Grand Rapids, Michigan Area

As a Segment Marketing Analyst my primary responsibility is to support the education and healthcare strategies with business intelligence, market intelligence and special project expertise. My contributions include all aspects of market research and analysis, target identification, sales projections, new market identification, annual and long range operating plans. Other duties include database queries and analysis of information related to the performance and trends of Gordon Food Service customer segments. (keywords: strategy, leadership, trend analysis, data mining, KPI, forecasting, AOP, LRP)

Allendale, Mi

SNAPoffice! (an Amneon Acquisitions, LLC. company) – Worked through independent furniture dealers but also pioneered a direct to consumer delivery method, making contract grade office furniture more accessible to small and medium sized business. My time spent with SNAPoffice! was focused on developing processes and relationships with the network of installation contractors that complemented the direct to consumer approach. Business development in this role included all stages of the sales process as well as the technical design components of space management. (keywords: partnership, national installation company, FFE bids, pricing agreements, training)

Amneon Furniture (an Amneon Acquisitions, LLC. company) – Was an office systems manufacturer working through independent dealers. The name was later changed to SNAP!office

JDTI – (an Amneon Acquisitions, LLC. company) is a OEM manufacturing and assembly organization focused on value added engineered wood products and high speed assemble to order processes. In my role as Business Development Manager, I worked to identify, secure, and implement new business opportunities, primarily in the office furniture industry. My responsibilities included all aspects of account management, new product development, and project management. Other activities include: marketing support, channel alignment, cost, price, and market analysis. I also performed a variety of administrative duties, including production software programming, employee onboarding and training as well as managing the organizations marketing collateral. (keywords: new business, NPD, administration, price analysis, teamwork)

Peace Corps – The brainchild of visionary President John F. Kennedy, Peace Corps has been serving the Philippines since 1961. My service was focused on economic advancement with an emphasis on environmental sustainability. Working directly with the City Hall of Escalante my highlights include founding a women’s cooperative of pottery makers and developing a two day business skills training program that was executed in all the city’s villages. Other activities include conducting socio-economic surveys and analysis, participation with the city's Board of Foreign Investment and exhibitions with the regional board of tourism trade shows. (keywords: volunteer, grant proposals, satellite training, grassroots, bilingual)

Master Of Business Administration (Mba), Business Administration And Management, General

Ba, Management & Marketing

Activities and Societies: Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization, Minority Business Education Center, Rugby Team