Responsible for Category Management and Trade Spending across 30 Consumer Package Brands for 20+ Clients.

Managed 35 part time merchandisers across 5 states in a $1.2M territory consisting of 240 retail accounts such as Whole Foods, Bed, Bath & Beyond, World Market, Books-A-Million, Barnes and Noble College Stores, Ace Hardware and Pike’s Nurseries.• Executed Chain and Corporate Goals to maximize profitable sales.• Met and exceeded Sales Goals for 9 years.• Met and exceeded all Call Frequency, Hours Worked, and Budget Goals each year. • Evaluated retail landscape to identify new business prospects, cold called and opened an average of $25,000 per year in new business. • Negotiated contract terms for new customers, determined discount and service levels.• Built and maintained good relationships with owners, managers and other store personnel.• Reviewed Sales Performance on a yearly basis with key customers and optimized assortments to maximize future sales. • Worked with customers to develop annual seasonal non card forecast. Approved credits as needed to remove outdated product and drive sales.• Communicated retailer logistics requirements to internal personnel to ensure smooth product flow and seasonal transitions.• Worked closely with Finance to make sure customers current and product continued flowing. Addressed any concerns.• Hired and trained new merchandisers on how to merchandise in the stores, following both the company and stores’ guidelines and using the company’s software systems.• Selected to train new sales managers in the district. Provided training and shadowing on sales presentations, prospecting, merchandising and systems training on an ongoing basis. • Presented new programs and sales lines to current customers each year.• Optimized product assortments by completing department revisions annually.• Installed new or replacement fixtures on a regular basis.• Merchandised permanent booth at AmericasMart in Atlanta to showcase product and increase visibility to customers worldwide.

Analyzed data to provide selling insights for customers and company.• Created selling presentations for field sales managers nationwide.• Collaborated with company President on presentations for National customers.• Prepared brand and profitability presentations for VP’s for national gift shows.

Managed $2M Trade Marketing Budget that drove spending and promotions at all grocery accounts nationwide. • Negotiated $1M in new product slotting cost at grocery chains.• Partnered with marketing to develop new item test markets.

Planned marketing campaigns at Headquarter level.• Executed marketing campaigns using Print, TV, Radio, Billboards, and Coupons.• Supervised complete line rebranding initiative including photo shoots.• Participated in new product development.

Led account team at 7th largest customer in the nation that called on multiple buyers across multiple lines.• Sold in national programs at the account level.• Awarded Sales Team of the Year 2000.• Executed Bake Off Contest at customer with $50,000 in prizes for consumers.

• Coordinated sell in of national programs to regional and local customers.

• Sold in products and promotions to a grocery wholesaler and its members.

• Merchandised product at 75 grocery stores.