James Hare Email & Phone Number

Chicago, Illinois

Position Responsibilities: • Direct sales strategy. Develop a nationwide distribution network to increase revenue through retail channels that support the organization’s growth plans. Establish sales targets and deploy sales team members and resources to ensure they are met. • Direct the activity of the multi-state retail sales team and assist team members in developing appropriate account strategies and sales tactics. Strategically expand Company's geographic presence and market share. • Develop and manage business relationships with brokers, distributors, regional and national chain headquarters. Oversee marketing, merchandising, and promotional activities to ensure the effective roll-out of strategic programs. • Lead the development and implementation of the company sales process, providing clear and standardized go-to-market approach, methodology, tools and metrics. Provide sales support infrastructure to achieve company's brand strategy and achieve profitable sales growth.

Manage and strategically plan retail development in a 12 state Midwest region that includes Kroger, Meijer, Target and SuperValu headquarters. My main focus is on analyzing the business, developing programs to capitalize on opportunities, delivering HQ presentations and supervising ten retail broker sales partner teams. (Based in Chicago, IL.)

I had national chain account responsibility for grocery products to non-traditional classes of trade. My customers were the"Big-3" National Drug Chains (Walgreens, CVS and Rite-Aid), Kmart, Super Kmart, Menards Home Centers, Pamida Stores, Kinney & Duane Reade Drug.

I sold exclusively to Kroger corporate and the following divisions; Kroger Central in Indianapolis, IN., Food-4 Less in Chicago, IL. and Kroger Cincinnati, OH.. (Based in Cincinnati, OH.)

Accountable for delivering volume objectives while maintaining trade budget for Kroger team. Provided market data, consumer insight and category direction to sales colleagues. Responsible for goals that aligned with our customer’s strategic directions in the areas of merchandising, promotions, display and assortment. (Based in Cincinnati, OH.).

Helped created and implemented a strategic plan to put shelf space and category management resources in the hands of the direct field sales force. Tested and selected the software programs. Created sales tools and tutorial programs. Led the field sales training. Developed and standardized shelf management processes for the field sales colleagues use.

Responsible for development chain customers through analysis, consumer insight, improved placement, expanded distribution and creative marketing. Customers included Kroger Great Lakes, Farmer Jack, Tops, Meijers, CVS, Rite-Aid, Giant Eagle etc. Created program tie-ins to national campaigns and presented them to retailers & distributors. (Almaden/Sea & Ski, Arbor Mist/Deck Party, Paul Masson/Butterball-Thanksgiving, etc.).

Strategically planned trade channel penetration, analyzed the business opportunity, developed targeted marketing, supervised brokers and successfully expanded products to formerly untapped avenue of trade. Recruited, trained and directed the efforts of broker business partner sales teams with profit and loss responsibility and a customer base of over sixteen hundred.