Owner And Creative Director
CurrentNational Sales Director: Responsible for new business development. Design targeted sales strategies specific to each region based on brand values, demographics and shopper trends. Relationship development and marketing strategy with buyers, corporate dining services and hospitality: Design and implementation of in-store, event-based programing, promotional planning, shopper programs, digital and brand collaborations to support velocity goals and long-term customer engagementIn-store merchandising execution, shelf talkers, end caps programsFormulated and supervised Darista team. Established roles, responsibilities and career goals for each employee, including company trainingDesign and launch experiential marketing eventsLaunched Direct Ship for e-commerce direct-to-consumer and drop ship to retailersAchieved 68.1% ten-year gross sales CAGRDesigned manufacturing facility to manufacture dips in compliance with FDA, ODA and GMPs Designed operational procedures including protocols, staff hiring and training, proper cooking methods to achieve exact flavor, measurements and pH valuesAwarded grant for HPP validation studyOperational account lead for all manufacturing, procurement and supplier partnerships: manage all purchase orders, timelines, fulfillment and supply chainCompetitive market and company analysis, identifying product positioning opportunity and propositionResponsible for budgets, forecasting, sales projections, trade and marketing spend, margin maintenance and partnership negotiations to maintain competitive shelf and profit marginsUnderstanding assortments and shopper trends and spendsCategory Management, Distribution, Broker and Vendor RelationsReview data velocity performance for current category brandsMaintain annual category review calendar for retailer and broker submissionsEstablish targeted distribution and broker network, set performance and fill goals and negotiate distribution margins, fees and broker rates