Christopher Schafer Email & Phone Number

Phoenix, Az, Us

Phoenix, Az, Us

• Provide leadership and direction to seven Off Premise Key Account Managers and three On Premise Key Account Managers to drive and improve account performance for all Arizona Chain activity; coordinate communication and manage departmental budgets and targets.• Oversee long-term strategic business plans to deliver targets on distribution, taps, and displays to drive volume, revenue, and market share via marketing, category management, and pricing initiatives.• Responsible for 80% of total revenue for Henley Beverage Company.• Served a critical role in developing the organizational structure through channel segmentation.• Achieved three straight years of revenue, operating income and company targets.• Cultivate and maintain retailer relationships and ensure effective retail execution to achieve local priorities.

Leuven, Be

Direct sales and marketing development and execution strategy in major markets with full P&L responsibility. • Provide leadership and direction to five District Managers and two Trade Marketing Managers to drive and improve account performance in the states of Arizona and Nevada; coordinate communication and manage departmental budgets.• Oversee and assist wholesalers with long-term strategic business plans to deliver targets on distribution, taps, and displays to drive volume, revenue, and market share via marketing, category management, and pricing initiatives.• Perform regular market visits to 12 wholesalers, including the region’s largest two wholesalers in Phoenix and Las Vegas, who collectively sell 43.5 million cases annually.• Served a critical role in managing the Hensley / Golden Eagle wholesaler consolidation in the Tucson market.• Cultivate and maintain retailer relationships, and ensure effective retail execution to achieve local priorities with wholesalers.

Leuven, Be

Relocated to focus on relationships and growth initiatives at small format national chains in the Western U.S.• Developed strategic plans to drive sales growth, and led/managed business, marketing, promotions, distribution, innovation, sales and pricing initiatives for Couche-Tard (Circle K Corporate and Franchise), Walgreens, QuikTrip, am/pm, and Valero.• Led and directed a team of three Sales Directors, ten Key Account Managers, and two Senior Category Managers.• Coordinated communication between ABI cross-functional departments and wholesalers to improve key account performance by ensuring superior retail execution.

Leuven, Be

Promoted and relocated to corporate headquarters to lead the underdeveloped Trade Marketing area.• Participated as one of four Vice Presidents selected to establish the Trade Marketing department with specific focus on developing strategies to adapt brand platforms into actionable trade programs in the entire convenience chain segment.• Provided leadership and direction to eight direct reports including Chain and Independent Trade Marketing Managers, and Trade Marketing Coordinators working on ABIs largest volume and share channel representing 48% of volume and 60% share.• Served as national core point of contact for both Sales and Marketing to drive the off-premise channel agenda through the development of strategic and tactical plans in the convenience channel.• Collaborated with Region Vice Presidents of Sales to define and implement effective programs at major convenience store chains nationwide including 7-Eleven, Circle K, Speedway, Chevron, and The Pantry.

Leuven, Be

Promoted to lead chain national sales development and execution strategy for the Couche-Tard (Circle K) account.• Directed efforts to maintain and expand relationships, achieve sales quota, and accomplish strategic account objectives with Circle K Corporate and Franchise accounts, ABIs 3rd-largest volume chain in the U.S., selling 20+ million cases annually.• Traveled extensively and routinely called on decision points in Los Angeles, Phoenix, Dallas, Pensacola, Cleveland, Charlotte, Tampa, and Indianapolis covering 2,500+ stores in ~38 states; achieved Category Captaincy in 7 of 8 call points.• Developed and implemented a strategic plan which grew volume year-over0year, via marketing, category management and pricing initiatives; coordinated communication between ABI departments and wholesalers to improve retail execution.• Coached, trained, mentored and evaluated a dedicated team of eight Key Account Managers and nine Category Managers to improve key account performance by uncovering and closing gaps, and developing sustainable brand building strategies.

Leuven, Be

Promoted to lead key account sales and profitability growth initiatives for convenience store chains in three states. • Led and managed business, promotions, sales, distribution, new product introductions, and pricing initiatives with key retail customers, working with 25 wholesalers in the states of Arizona, California, and Nevada.• Managed the Pacific Region’s largest volume decision points, accounting for 8.5 million annual case sales.• Built and cultivated relationships, provided total account management, and oversaw retail partnerships; facilitated communications and seamlessly expanded business strategies between ABI, wholesalers, and key retailers to drive results.• Coached, trained, mentored, and evaluated a Category Manager and two Shelf Set Coordinators.

Leuven, Be

Promoted and relocated twice to support relationships and drive sales opportunities with key retail chains.• Originally relocated to Houston, working out of the Southwest Region office to support the retail team covering the states of Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma; subsequently moved to Phoenix to manage business with Circle K headquarters.• Identified insights, created opportunities, and delivered solutions to drive profitable sales growth at 590 Circle K stores in Arizona and Nevada; achieved and maintained Category Captaincy with the Circle K chain.• Supported and participated in joint calls with Sales Directors and Key Account Managers on key retail customers including Circle K, Fry's, Bashas', and Food City; developed beer category plans, strategies, and tactics to support region initiatives.

St. Louis, Mo, Us

Promoted and relocated to corporate headquarters to provide analytical support to the Category Management team.• Analyzed nationwide retail sales opportunities utilizing syndicated data, sales tools, and market research to create effective and productive solutions for ABI and its customers.• Generated monthly sales reports and business reviews for chains: 7-Eleven, Circle K, Hess, Exxon-Mobil, and Conoco Phillips.

St. Louis, Mo, Us

Bachelor Of Science (B.S.), Business Administration With Emphasis In Marketing

Semester At Sea, Institute For Shipboard Education