Q1 Productions is a business intelligence firm that organizes conferences for smaller targeted audiences in highly regulated industries to provide strategic learning, timely program content and unparalleled networking opportunities. I was hired to establish the company’s first food and beverage practice by identifying industry topics and acquiring expert speakers to develop and present relevant content. In 2016 I created and managed conferences on food labeling, food safety, food and beverage innovation and sales force effectiveness and am planning several more for 2017.

Dinex is a manufacturer and marketer of stainless steel foodservice equipment and plastic drink ware for the healthcare industry and is a $75 million dollar division of Carlisle Foodservice Products. Responsible for strategic leadership with two direct reports and 100% marketing budget responsibility. Reversed steep sales decline and grew sales 4.6% in 2014.

Specialty Foods Group is a processed meats manufacturer and marketer of leading brands such as Nathan’s Famous hot dogs, Kentucky Legend ham, and Scott Petersen lunchmeat. Complete brand-wide marketing responsibility with two direct reports. Grew sales an average of 7% annually 2011-2014.

Sr. Customer Marketing Manager 2006-2009• Set strategy for customers and sales channels to deliver operating results in three key categories (Sara Lee Bakery, Meats, and Coffee & Tea).• Analyze customer and segment profitability and determine opportunities for improvement. • Lead cross-functional teams (Culinary, Sales, R&D and Supply Chain) to deliver innovative new products to assigned customers.Sr. Product Manager Sara Lee 2003-2006Managed Hillshire Farm Smoked Sausage and Dressings & Sauces, strategic growth categories that generated $125 million in sales and contributed 25% of the division’s profit.• Introduced 3 new Hillshire Farm smoked sausage flavors to capitalize on the demand for bold flavors to increase market share by 10% in this highly profitable category.• Launched 13 new salad dressings and sauces that resulted in $20 million in incremental gross profit in 2006.• Collaborated with Sales to create effective product presentations for national customers.Product Manager Sara Lee 2001-2003Managed Hills Bros & Superior Cappuccino, a $100 million growth beverage category.• Launched four new cappuccino flavors that resulted in $1.8 million in incremental gross profit in 2002-2003. Expanded 3 key marketing platforms: ethnic marketing, lifestyle marketing and seasonal marketing, to support new product launches.• Introduced the industry’s first hot soy beverage and trademarked the name “Healthy Cup” to be used as a platform for future new product development.• Developed complete new product launch kits to improve sales effectiveness and increase closing ratios.

Responsible for new kids’ confections totaling $40 million in new business. (Company relocated division to California and position was eliminated in 2000.)• Managed cross-functional new product teams to support Nestle growth strategies.• Developed marketing plans that included TV advertising, trade spending and consumer promotions.• Launched new products into grocery, mass merchandisers and convenience store channels.

Marketing responsibility for Bubble Tape, Amurol’s number one brand, as well as extensive new product development and launch.• Grew seasonal business by 300% in 1998 by introducing a line of 5 new Christmas items, 3 new Valentine’s Day items, and three new Easter items.• Launched 19 new bubble gum and confectionery items in two years that accounted for 24% of total Amurol business in 1998.• Grew Bubble Tape by 20% in a sugar bubble gum category that was down 7% during the same period.

Directed the total marketing of the $300 million Butterball brand of fresh and processed turkey products.• Implemented, managed and directed all advertising and consumer promotion programs.• Managed the Turkey Talk-Line, a nationally known hot line that provides information on turkey preparation to over 200,000 callers during the Thanksgiving season.• Developed and launched new products across diverse categories, including processed meats and center-of the-plate entrees that generated additional revenue.

Marketing responsibility for Butterball processed meats.• Developed customized key account presentations for field sales using computer-aided analyses. • Expanded a new line of packaged processed meats into national distribution by achieving an 85% ACV penetration on the West Coast.