Darlene Johnson Email & Phone Number

Greater Detroit Area

My job is to be the liaison between a top national foodservice distributor and Ventura Foods. This encompasses managing a 100,000,000+ lb. book of business. I am responsible for building and executing successful short and long range business plans and individual category sales plans. I also negotiate category contracts, provide category management support, facilitate new product launches and manage product, packaging and ingredient changes. I consistently engage and work with cross functional teams to ensure we delight our customers by adding value and support where it is needed most.

Reported to the Vice President of Sales & Marketing and responsible for leading our Regional Sales Managers and our Broker Partners to grow national and regional foodservice distribution sales. Responsible for all headquarter distributor sales plans, strategies, marketing programs, promotions and relationships with a focus on Sysco, US Foods, Dot Foods and Gordon Food Service. I positioned Butterball Farms as a premier national branded supplier of specialty butters with best-in-class capability in driving category growth and successful field sales execution.

Boone, Nc

Reported to the Vice President of Sales and led sales efforts in the North Region (17 states). Successfully managed and grew stock and custom business through direct selling efforts and developing and managing 10 broker partners.Executed, monitored and reviewed annual broker plans and trade marketing agreements leveraging marketplace knowledge to establish clear, realistic and measurable goals. Result: Attained 15 new foodservice distributors, 40 new multi-unit operators, and over 150 independent operators in 2015.

Michigan/Ohio Market

DISTRIBUTOR DEVELOPMENT MANAGER (DDM) 12/09 - 06/14As a Distributor Development Manager at Unilever Food Solutions, I was responsible for growing profitable sales in the Detroit area with foodservice distributors on all Unilever products. I did this through proper account management, account planning, and trade marketing management. Additionally, I managed Distributor sales activities (Trade Shows, General Sales Meetings, etc.) AND cultivated growth of existing key operator accounts as well as penetrated new operator accounts to maximize sales volume growth potential. BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER (BDM) 02/08 - 11/09Managed and built client relationships with 55 medium to large operator accounts in Michigan/Ohio. I managed multiple customer purchase agreements. I introduced new innovative products as they came to market to grow incremental sales. Utilized key tools such as the marketing and culinary departments to development customer menu solutions to increase product usage. Continually researched new customer opportunities to grow market share.SALES REPRESENTATIVE (SR) 04/07 - 01/08Targeted, researched and sold products to Small Independent Operators (SIO's) in Michigan and Northern Ohio. Provided visibility and leverage to the Business Development Managers (BDM's), Regional Chain Development Manager (RCDM's) and Distributor Development Managers (DDM's) through account follow up and participation in sales presentations and customer events.

Romeo, Mi

I owned and operated a full service bar and grill for 12 years. I hired, trained and managed a staff of 25 employees. I increased sales by 61% in the first four years of ownership. I tripled the value of the business within a 10 year time frame. I maintained monthly profit and loss statements, expense management, and payroll. I ordered, maintained, and managed inventory on all food, supplies, and beverages. The restaurant is still a successful business to this day.

Thumb Region, Michigan

Serviced 200+ accounts in the Thumb Area. Introduced new products, ran customer promotions, set plan-o-grams, rotated stocked, and sold product direct to stores. Ensured proper product placement and compliance.

Managed the General Ledger, Accounts Payable, Payroll and Petty Cash. Reconciled the books at month-end and year-end.

Bs Ba, Accounting

Activities and Societies: Delta Zeta Sorority, Intern at Yeo & Yeo CPAs & Business Consultants.

Strategic Negotiation Executive Development Program