Comprehensive ownership of departmental merchandising direction and financial performance inclusive sales, market share, gross margin, shrink, inventory values and turns, soft money revenues

CATEGORY MANAGER, FRESH BAKERY DIVISION Wakefern Food Corporation-Elizabeth, NJ ▪ Apr 2009-PresentProvide strategic direction and establish goals for vendor / broker community and ensure proficient execution of plans. Analyze customer needs and demands as well as conduct product research to determine market potentials of new items. Develop and implement go-to market strategy, develop reports and present creative advertising programs, sales results, service level, and new items during monthly meetings. Oversee and maximize skills of staff through training and motivation. Aligned plans and improved the 2009 sales program resulting in sales growth of 14% Consistently achieved overall service level of 99.5% to more than 300 high volume retail stores Slashed average inventory values by $240K+ while increasing annual inventory turns by 8% Proficiently managed margins, controlled shrink, and established retails for annual sales in excess of $250M Uncovered business opportunities, maximized turns, and reduced inventory carrying costs through efficient SKU rationalization

Buyer, Fresh Produce Division Wakefern Food Corporation-Elizabeth, NJ ▪ Dec 2004-Apr 2009Streamlined and maintained efficient category management for a broad product line, which include, organics, value added salads, premium beverages, fresh mushrooms, processed fruits, dressings, and dips. Designed, executed, and optimized weekly organic advertising programs to drive increases in revenue. Fine tuned the division’s promotional forecasting initiative. Ramped up organic sales from $2M annually to $18M in four years Directed company-wide Aid and Reference System initiative to success Participated in ensuring coordination of the company LiveRight Branding project Instituted the “Best in Class” organic marketing and merchandising program Implemented shrink control strategies and primarily established retails for annual sales in excess of $125M Improved communication and fostered teamwork by initiating the creation of a division electronic bulletin board Oversaw and maintained coordination in item maintenance, new item creation, discontinuations, retail pricing exceptions and reclamation

Managed and ensured effectiveness of a unionized staff size of 250 with annual sales in excess of $28M.Achieved operational and financial goals through proficient planning, execution, and monitoring of all aspects of store operations and overseeing staff performanceMaximized collective potentials that foster teamwork, cooperation, and ownership as well as support the achievement of company goals through meticulous selection, focused training, and development of the store team

Administered staffing, organized schedules, managed daily expenses, monitored stocks, and daily operations of an upscale supermarket while maintaining superior level of customer service.Successfully facilitated extensive internal shrink audits and reported findings directly to the Vice President of OperationsContributed in reducing net company losses from 3.54% to a 3.30%

Began pushing carriages at the age of 15 and held numerous positions of increasing responsibility during my tenure from cashier to Pharmacy tech to under cover store detective to over night manager