Brian Himmelman Email & Phone Number

Portland, Me, Us

Southern Maine

• Maintain & develop relationships with retail hardware and building supply customers. • Execute new sales initiatives; develop merchandising strategies while servicing existing accounts and prospect new customers to win at retail.• Achieves territory sales goals and objectives.• Generate sales proposals, plan-o-grams, and new product presentations.• SWOT analysis to increase productivity within existing key accounts.

New England & Mid-Atlantic

•3.6 million (last third of 2016) working with Key Members/Retailers developing and implementing both short and long term strategies that increase assortment adoption, drive sales and profitability for both the Co-Op and Member Stores. Understand retailers’ opportunities, recommend solutions, and add value through improved merchandising messaging to support the Growth Team. •Engage in Retail Support Center & Member/Retailer Line Reviews; identifying regional product opportunities.•Sell product assortments improving retailer relevancy, sales and margin. Prioritize and provide customized solutions•Create and present to Key Accounts; documents for Promotional Products, Reunion Programs and Events.•Market & Sell core/niche commodity product conversions and adoptions.•Engage in Reunion, Growth Meetings and Member Marketing Meetings to partner and support the Growth Teams.•Understand Members’ business, opportunities and gaps; to build merchandise business plans for each key account.•Work with Merchandising Division to set expectations and corporate strategies to increase retailer support, conversion and assortment adoption.

New England & Mid Atlantic

•3.3 million (2015) increased sales within assigned geography by recommending and administering product strategies in multiple markets based on trends and demographics. Negotiate product pricing, mark downs, buy backs, set retail pricing, special in and out dates, seasonal item differentiation for assigned distribution centers, and training retailers on demo's.•Developed regional sales and profit strategies maximizing wholesale and retail performance while driving strategic direction, retailer relationships and operational efficiencies. •Conduct comprehensive SWOT analysis of assigned territory, develop and execute strategies to strengthen the company brand, increase both wholesale and retail sales (long and short term).•Ensures that stores within region operate effectively, profitably, and achieve targeted results. Monitor, analyze and report on performance metrics.•Actively work with retailers to identify opportunities and issues, providing balanced solutions; seeking new business and product opportunities.•Administer strategies in multiple markets based on trends and understanding of relevant market dynamics to increase sales. Develop/Administer merchandise/product strategies and tactics to drive sales.•Manage vendor relationships to pursue additional opportunities and price negotiations.

Windham, Maine

•Consistent positive Sales & Profits of a Staples Retail Location (in a corporate declining market share) through Copy & Print Services, Technology Services and Equipment, Mobile Phones, Omni-Channel, and Office Supply Sales.•Key Competencies include; Analyze Problems/Issues, Use Seasoned Judgment, Establish Group Plans, Drive Execution, Establish Best Practices, Employ Financial Acumen, Inspire Passion, Develop Team Capabilities, Foster Open Communication, Build Organizational Relationships, Drive Organizational Success, Demonstrate Adaptability, and Optimize Self-Development.•Development of Team Members - Make placement and reward decisions based on capabilities and performance. Shape roles and assignments in ways that leverage and develop capabilities. Provide feedback, coaching, guidance where appropriate to enhance skill development. Hold supervisors accountable for developing their people.•Foster Open Communication - Facilitate open discussion assuring that everyone’s input is heard. Tailor communication style and viewpoints to the audience.•Build Organizational Relationships Connect with others by taking a genuine interest in passions and concerns. Foster a culture that makes people feel valued and respected. Adjust interpersonal style to a variety of people and situations.•Leveraging Diversity/Value Diversity - Seek diverse ideas and points of view to achieve business success.•Results Orientation/Drive for Results - Set high standards of performance for self and others and maintain a consistent, high level of productivity.•Demonstrate a strong drive to achieve meaningful results. Foster a sense of urgency in others for achieving goals. Hold people accountable for achieving their objectives.

Improved comp sales through the management of 10 specialty retail stores selling woodworking and construction tools to the trades, do-it-yourselfers and serious woodworking hobbyists. Coached both store managers and sales associates through hiring, training, motivation and supervision in the areas of team building, selling skills (focusing on the four step process of Relationship Selling), creative merchandising, inventory control, product demonstrations, event planning, and general store operations. Decreased shrink (physical to perpetual discrepancies ran .01%-.40% from 2.24%-3.1%).Adjust and maintain inventory levels appropriately for market, sales history and season. Implemented a sales tracking procedure to monitor sales growth to goals. Coordinated trade show participation at JLC Live; for corporate exposure.Designed and executed Western Tool Supply's New England Region "Show and Sale" featuring 45+ vendors at; . Instructed teams on end user sales in a unique selling environment. Organized vendor demonstrations, radio remotes, created marketing and "How to Clinics". Counseled and grew the New England Region's "Outside Sales Program". Program includes field sales to construction job sites, schools, and hospitals, focusing on prospecting and closing techniques. Forklift certified for Western Tool Supply Distribution Center. 15 million regional sales average.

District Manager, Woodworkers Warehouse, Maine and New HampshireSupervised 11 specialty retail stores selling woodworking tools to both professionals and enthusiasts. Accomplishments with store teams were similar to the above. Increased Sales and generated action plans with 4 wall profitability and P&L responsibility. Developed store budgets and sales growth plans along with the tracking of the same.Analyzed and adjusted expenditures based on store production. 16 million dollars annual sales average.Store Manager at Woodworkers WarehouseJuly 2001 – June 2003Implemented programs similar to the above.Instructed, hired and trained store team. Achieved sales increase of 50% from 1.2 million sales average to 1.8 million in 18 months.Bangor was consistently a top producing store (#5 out of 93) in gross sales, 1.8 million dollars (average).Assistant Store Manager at Woodworkers WarehouseApril 2000 – June 2001Streamlined store operations, improved shrink, overhauled tool demonstrations and improved sales with the Nashua, NH team.

Insurance and Mutual Fund Sales

Insurance and Mutual Fund Sales

Aid Association for Lutherans, Will County IllinoisTop producer of insurance and mutual fund sales for the nations largest fraternal benefit society, (renamed Thrivent Financial after merger with Lutheran Brotherhood, 2002). Financial & Estate Planning, Seminar Selling, and Long -term Care insurance sales. Awarded "Member Executive Conference" in recognition of sales production and fraternal work. Guided Agency Field Staff in the areas of sales skills, territory management, prospecting and computer support