Chris Darling

Chris Darling Email and Phone Number

Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) @ Mama's Creations
Sarasota, FL, US
Chris Darling's Location
Sarasota, Florida, United States, United States
Chris Darling's Contact Details

Chris Darling personal email

n/a
About Chris Darling

Retail and CPG Expert that has led growth from start up to scale of two large retailers including working with private equity and due diligence processes. As a participant in one of the largest US industry mergers; gained critical knowledge regarding synergy identification and execution of merging best practices across a diverse business landscape. Other major projects have included the design and remodel of hundreds of retail locations along with development of 3 Commissaries and a major acquisition of a manufacturing facility.Served at the executive and C-Suite levels of an impressive list of food retailers and as a recognized industry innovator applied expertise with major retail brands including successes on Private Label development, Manufacturing, Distribution Efficiencies, Marketing, Merchandising and Operational Excellence. Below is a summary key skills developed through a combination of education, real world application and a willingness to see challenges as opportunities to improve:- Business Start Up and Scaleability- Retail Store Design and Operations- Prepared Food Manufacturing Facility Development and Operations- Consumer Insights- Executive Leadership- CPG Branding and Sales- Private Label Development- Distribution Efficiency- Category Management- Innovation

Chris Darling's Current Company Details
Mama's Creations

Mama'S Creations

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Chief Commercial Officer (CCO)
Sarasota, FL, US
Chris Darling Work Experience Details
  • Mama'S Creations
    Chief Commercial Officer (Cco)
    Mama'S Creations
    Sarasota, Fl, Us
  • Mama'S Creations
    Chief Commercial Officer (Cco)
    Mama'S Creations Nov 2024 - Present
  • The Partnering Group
    Partner
    The Partnering Group Jun 2024 - Present
    Cincinnati, Ohio, Us
    Consultant to the Retail and CPG industries.
  • Boar'S Head Brand
    Executive Leadership Team/ Vp
    Boar'S Head Brand Jun 2020 - Jun 2024
    Sarasota, Fl, Us
    Lead National Sales Strategy and Relationships in addition to the Brand Diversification into Prepared Foods Product Development and Disribution
  • Lucky'S Market
    President
    Lucky'S Market May 2017 - Jun 2020
    Niwot, Colorado
    Executive leader responsible for all aspects of a multi-state chain of food stores focused on natural and organic offerings. As one of the fastest growing retail food concepts in the country; we are committed to bringing good food to all by providing the highest quality fresh products at the best value in the industry.
  • Albertsons
    Group Vice President
    Albertsons Apr 2014 - May 2017
    Group Vice-President over Deli/Prepared Foods and Innovation for the Albertson's/Safeway company with 21 banners and 2400 stores. Leader of strategy, innovation, collaboration with Own Brands and Manufacturing.Recipe and product development from concept to commercializationNew Store Design and Equipment ProcurementPremium store brand development including product assortment, layout and department flow, fresh food innovations and etc.Successfully exceeded synergy savings targets while driving back to back years of double digit ID sales growth via Signature Item best practices across entire enterprise and innovative assortment additions focused on "clean" products and "on trend" product development.Built business case for commissary development with the manufacturing team and start up product assortment.Negotiated national contracts for product procurement and third party agreements
  • Albertsons
    Vp Of Innovation And Prepared Foods
    Albertsons Apr 2014 - Feb 2015
    Leader of store and prepared food product innovations for the combined Albertsons and Safeway company with 20 banners and 2200 stores nationwide. Identified synergy savings targets for the Safeway/Albertson's MergerBuilt Signature Items and Roll-out plan to maximize post merger ID sales growthCreated innovation structure for the new combined organization
  • Ahold
    Director Of Customer Strategy And Consumer Insights
    Ahold 2009 - 2014
    1506 Ma Zaandam, Nl
    Responsible for customer experience through the utilization of consumer insights to set strategic goals, develop tactics and improve overall customer satisfaction for the Giant Landover Division of AUSA. Accomplished targets through 6 direct regional manager reports, a direct reporting relationship to the SVP of Operations and collaberative relationships across Sales/ Merchandising and Ahold USA.Directed Consumer Insights team based in Landover, MD serving the entire Ahold USA organizationAdvised Executive Leadership team on corporate strategy development to include; product, store design; promotional activity and customer engagement.Interpreted Insights data into actionable dialogue for the Executive team and Field Operations.Led Operations and Sales for the Northern VA region developing and executing the premium response plan which led to a successful sales and profit turn around that became the template for company strategic response to premium competitive intrusions.
  • Heb-Central Market
    General Manager Of Sales And Operations
    Heb-Central Market 2005 - 2010
    Top Leader of one of the most unique, innovative and high volume specialty food concepts in the country. Supplemental roles as a manager of division projects and HEB Leadership Assessor.Leader of Suburban strategic plan and implementation including store design modifications; promotional changes; product assortment adjustments and value pricing initiatives.Development and Operation of satellite commissary supplying Dallas/FT WorthInternational procurement effortsCompetitive threat assessments for Executive Leadership team including leading recipe reviews and deconstruction; supply chain analysis and customer experience.
  • Earth Fare
    Director Of Sales And Operations
    Earth Fare 2002 - 2005
    Asheville, North Carolina, Us
    Corporate level operational leadership of a multi-store specialty food chain covering 4 states. Full P&L responsibility and strategic level leadership included SOP development, product and procurement specialists, HR and marketing strategies, New store openings, staffing, merchandising.Developed and Operated cross-dock warehouse operations leveraging company volume for cost reductions and improved gross marginsResponsible for driving SOP implementation; Planograming and corporate organizational structure to support rapid expansion into multiple new markets. Led first phase of company expansion and due diligence engagement with investors leading to the profitable sale of the company

Chris Darling Skills

Retail Leadership Merchandising P&l Management Operations Management Inventory Management Grocery Sales Team Building Training Management Customer Satisfaction Marketing Strategy Profit Strategic Planning Forecasting Customer Service Leadership Development Store Management Visual Merchandising P&l Human Resources Food Coaching Inventory Control Purchasing Time Management Pricing Sales Management Strategy Direct Marketing Public Speaking Income Statement New Store Development Project Management Customer Experience Hiring Selling Procurement Public Relations Budgets Budgeting Pricing Strategy Marketing

Chris Darling Education Details

  • University Of Central Florida
    University Of Central Florida
  • Babson College
    Babson College
  • Cornell University
    Cornell University

Frequently Asked Questions about Chris Darling

What company does Chris Darling work for?

Chris Darling works for Mama's Creations

What is Chris Darling's role at the current company?

Chris Darling's current role is Chief Commercial Officer (CCO).

What is Chris Darling's email address?

Chris Darling's email address is ch****@****ead.com

What schools did Chris Darling attend?

Chris Darling attended University Of Central Florida, Babson College, Cornell University.

What skills is Chris Darling known for?

Chris Darling has skills like Retail, Leadership, Merchandising, P&l Management, Operations Management, Inventory Management, Grocery, Sales, Team Building, Training, Management, Customer Satisfaction.

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