Working with various clients to assist in development of products and sales in the Retail CPG space, with an emphasis on Produce. Develop Go To Market Strategy as well as identify Broker Sales Networks that are advantageous to the client.

Plant Grow Harvest (PGH) is a potato company specializing in mini potatoes. They are vertically integrated in the farm, growing seed for many farms across the US and Canada. They also provide potatoes to wholesalers for redistribution. As Chief Commercial Officer, I was over all sales functions including seed, wholesale and retail. Additionally, I was responsible for the Marketing functions of the Company.

Interim role as a consultant, helping them relaunch their Fit Organic products in retail as well as other products developed. Led the creation of a sales platform to approach customers as well as completing an RFP process for Food Service and Retail brokers.

Directed execution of sales and profitability objectives for total retail sales team, including branded, deli, private label, and retail food service items, totaling over $500M in sales annually. Managed categories including dairy (dips and spreads, branded and private label), grocery (oils, mayonnaise, and glazes, branded and private label), produce (salad dressings), deli (frying oil, sauces, dressings, and custom ingredients for deli meals), and meat (sauces and marinades). • Managed through very challenging COVID pandemic year with various product shortages and component and ingredient shortages as well as freight issues. Delivered total growth of net sales by 7% and margin by 13% in FY21 and grew net sales again by 8% in FY22.• Developed and implemented a CRM program for the total company; adapted it for retail-specific needs and trained the team accordingly, exceeding expectations.• Achieved a dollar share of 38% on Marie’s Refrigerated Salad Dressings in the Northeast, dominantly #1.• Drove Dean’s Dairy Dips to an all-time high-dollar share at 31.2%, #1 nationally.• Launched Dean’s Sports Bar Favorites Dips, achieving over $2.6 million in sales in first nine months.

Led total retail team, including branded and private label sales, totaling over $400M in sales annually. Managed categories including dairy (dips and spreads, branded and private label), grocery (oils and glazes, branded and private label), and produce (salad dressings). Worked collaboratively with the Sales and Revenue Management team to refine the RFP process for private label, resulting in greater accuracy and urgency to the requests while improving overall profitability. Restructured the sales team to provide more customer intimacy. • Drove gross sales growth 6% and net sales by 7% while executing broker changes in 20% of business.• Reviewed and adjusted broker representation on branded products, instituting a regional broker approach for better communication and execution.• Launched new Marie’s Market Reserve Refrigerated Dressings, a smaller-sized, healthier selection of dressings achieving over 2M pounds shipped in the first year.

Directed branded sales team to achieve record sales volume and profits. • Generated total sales in excess of $200M annually.• Increased dollars and volume across major brands Marie’s Refrigerated Dressings and Dean’s Dairy Dips while increasing variable margin. • Expanded Dean’s Dips into Northeast, achieving #3 brand status in less than one year. • Relaunched Gold ‘n Soft spreads in West, securing new distribution and achieving only growth in declining category.

Managed total retail team, including branded, private label, deli, and club store sales, totaling over $600M annually. Drove Total Retail to achieve 28% of total volume and 35% of total profit within a predominantly food service-based company. Reported directly to the Executive Vice President of Commercial Sales & Operations; contributed to overall strategy, near and long term, as well as contributed to the Commercial and Operations Leadership Team.• Increased gross sales, volume, and variable margin by over 5% versus previous fiscal year. • Launched new deli brand of sauces and marinades, Deli Street, with great success, including developing custom formulas for key customers. • Launched LouAna Liquid Coconut Oil, building upon success of #1 LouAna Refined Coconut products.

Structured and created national sales team including five regional managers, one director of national accounts, and four customer service team members managing broker network consisting of six different brokers over 32 markets. Implemented trade management system and increased visibility of trade spend effectiveness, resulting in increased profitability and sales.

Transitioned Marie’s & Dean’s business from Dean Foods to Ventura Foods, incorporating products into Ventura Foods logistics system without any loss of business.

Managed Marie’s Refrigerated Dressings and Dips line of products across 22 states, including headquarter responsibility for Kroger. Coordinated efforts of three regional business managers on produce across additional nine states. Implemented and delivered plans for Q1 2005, resulting in sales of Marie’s Dressings 102% to prior year. Aggressively managed H.E. Butt’s Marie’s business to overcome private label entry, recovering over 15 share points and achieving case sales of 104% to prior year. Executed distribution drive on Marie’s, increasing targeted items by 248% while decreasing planned spending by 42% and gaining acceptance on 40 new items (114% of target).

Directed four regional business managers in distribution, shelving, merchandising, and pricing of various dairy, produce, and grocery brands across 20 states covering 135 customers. Led central region to 37% increase in contribution margins versus prior year through more efficient spending. Managed central region through sales channel re-engineering and was credited for maintaining “a much better than expected” morale and unity as observed by outside consultant Meriden.

Led the consolidation of two sales forces, East and West, into one national team. Converted two different line ups of products with different UPC’s and sizes into one, discontinuing 38 items and still grew vs PY.

Originally was Phillips Brokerage Co. in Birmingham, AL. Merged with Gordon Co in Texas and SalesMark in Memphis to become SalesMark which then became CROSSMARK. Managed and coordinated the sales and promotions of various clients in dairy, deli, grocery, meat and produce for the state of Alabama. Transferred to Plano to become Client Development Manager for Morningstar Foods, which became Suiza Foods then Dean Foods. Managed their business nationally, coordinating the efforts of the CROSSMARK broker offers across the country. Promoted to Director of Perishables and Administration for the CROSSMARK Northern California office.