Andy Epstein Email & Phone Number

Promotional products company specializing in corporate merchandise and apparel. Established strategic partnerships and supplier network to support company operations, reducing cost of goods sold (COGS) 27%. Expanded value-added service offering to encompass supply chain services (e.g. warehousing, fulfillment,distribution) to uniquely position company in domestic marketplace. Developed technology enabled marketing solutions to support rebranding of corporate image and enhance company profile.Pioneered company rebranding (logo, website, email drip campaigns, customized digital catalogs).Created factory-direct strategic partnerships with 3 overseas factories and 1,000+ domestic suppliers, to provide highest quality products at best overall value. Increased sourcing in Asia $1.8M within 24 months accounting for 35% of overall COGS.Capitalized on SEO technology to boost online capture 150%.Promoted specialized services i(e.g. tooling and molding of original products, custom design).Supported sourcing and product design team to drive innovation and insure quality control.

Spearheaded opening of West Coast branch for Chicago-based firm providing outsourced transportation brokerage, third-party logistics, and supply chain solutions. Developed infrastructure; and recruited, hired, and trained sales and operations personnel. Oversaw customer acquisition, procurement, pricing, personnel, budgeting, credit, accounts receivable, and P&L. Directed all business operations.Educated team on how to analyze macro-market drivers, cultivate customers, negotiate with carriers, generate price proposals, and work effectively with cross-functional teams to support common goals.Formulated strategic sourcing plans and dynamic price models that promote growth and increase retention amid rapidly changing market environment.Worked with executive team to develop integrated value chain solutions, design TMS features and functionality, and streamline business processes to increase efficiency and profitability.

Launched company, and led development of ad-specialty marketing firm from ground up. Rendered oversight to recruitment, sales, marketing, sourcing, finance, and logistics. Hired and trained 15 sales and support staff over a 2-year period, and on-boarded 350 clients. Generated combined company revenues of $7.5M and recognized in 2007 by Counselor Magazine as Top 100 fastest-growing start-up companies in promotional products industry.

Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Us

Co-managed sales and operations for C.H. Robinson's largest office worldwide, producing $1.3B annual revenue. Directed core brokerage functions of individual customer sales branch: supply chain analysis, demand planning, customer engagement, pricing, personnel, budgeting and P&L management. Develop strategies to guide 400-person office of cross-functional teams, creating and implementing sales and training best practices, key performance evaluation metrics, and standardized operating procedures for all departments.Directly managed 45-person Sales and Operations team handling 1500+ clients and producing $100M in annual revenue; and guided workflow and business processes to maximize output while mentoring staff with positive lead-from-the-front approach.Evaluate customer' existing logistics operations to identify progressive supply chain solutions and strategic sourcing initiatives to increase service levels and reduce costs.Interpreted market analytics to develop dynamic pricing structures, cost forecasts and profitability models.Analyzed volatile intra-day supply and demand landscape to determine spot-market pricing and capacity commitments in demanding fast paced environment.

Freight brokerage firm. Educated and trained in multi-mode transportation logistics operations: full truckload, less-than-truckload, intermodal, temperature control, flatbed, air, and ocean.Initially hired into Customer and Carrier Operations role, promoted to Customer Sales, Promoted to Assistant to President Paul Loeb, and promoted to Sales Pod Manager (January 1998).Launched internal sales group that organically grew from 3 to 18 people during 2-year period overseeing load activity for 1200+ clients and producing $20M+ revenue.Managed autonomous business unit and employees, and provided guidance and training in operations, lead generation, prospecting, customer acquisition, market analytics, capacity procurement and problem resolution.