John Espana Jr. Email & Phone Number

Pleasanton, Ca, Us

Boise, Idaho, Us

Responsible for category management across the 4Ps (product, price, placement & promo) and development of annual new item innovation strategy within a private label portfolio.• Lead new item innovation projects from ideation to commercialization in collaboration with external vendor partners and internal cross functional team.• Build category management playbooks/presentations that equip division leaders with product assortment, pricing, placement, and promotional recommendations to drive sales/deliver against financial targets.• Manage a monthly promotional planning calendar that includes initial promo forecasting and post-promo performance tracking/ROI analysis.• Consistently monitor category results/KPIs to present leadership team with monthly business reviews. • Utilize Circana (formerly IRI), Symphony RetailAI, and Mintel platforms to maintain thorough knowledge of the consumer and competitive market trends to identify opportunities and long-term sales driving strategies.• Manage and train team members within the business unit.

Boise, Idaho, Us

Responsible for business insights, division support, vendor management and financial plan development within a private label portfolio. • Led category innovation projects from ideation to commercialization in collaboration with external stakeholders and internal cross functional team.• Built category management playbooks/presentations that provided division leaders with product assortment, pricing, placement, and promotional principles to drive sales.• Assisted in the development of marketing plans, in collaboration with corporate merchandising and sales teams, to maximize ROI and enable divisions to achieve sales targets, while also increasing Own Brands penetration.• Leveraged internal sales data and shopper insights to identify and communicate actionable opportunities todivision leadership that aim to increase sales/profit and grow portfolio distribution.• Identified current and future industry trends to develop strategic innovation platforms to achieve corporate Own Brands as well as divisional growth targets.• Managed and trained team members to develop proficiency within the business unit.

Boise, Idaho, Us

- Responsible for the business insights, analytics and financial plan development of the $2.1 billion Deli, Prepared Foods and Bakery Own Brands portfolio, driving +7.4% year-over-year sales. - Presented division leaders with category assortment recommendations and sell-in materials to facilitate the successful integration of Own Brands in over 500 stores since merger close. - Performed forecasting, market research, and evaluated shopper insights to develop sales driving promotional offers that deliver maximum ROI by region.- Identified SKU, brand, and vendor rationalization opportunities to optimize category health and deliver cost of goods savings. - Managed vendor inventory liabilities and implemented volume driving pricing strategies to move through excess product when necessary. - Initiated creative briefs and managed launch timelines for new products in collaboration with package design, product development, sourcing, and vendor teams.

Us

- Responsible for promotional, pricing, distribution, shrink and assortment analysis of private label items in $1.3 billion Deli/Food Service business, driving +4% year-over-year sales.- Created a new item analytics report that re-shapes how product and category teams assess new item performance to plan, helping to achieve $50M in projected annual sales.- Researched and developed a project to determine the ROI of in-store merchandising fixtures that will help harmonize the retail assets of the post-merger company.- Performed forecasting and rest of market research to aid in the development of a strategy to meet business objectives.- Conducted post-promotional analysis to measure performance against goals and provided insight on future promotions to further drive sales.- Executed and presented thorough category reviews to leadership team to affect pricing, merchandising, and promotional changes and highlight development opportunities to grow private label and total category business.- Fulfilled ad hoc analysis requests from category team leaders, sourcing, product management, and vendor partners.- Provided mentorship and training to new analysts.

Us

- Responsible for the promotional planning of over 400 stores within the Northern California and Vons Divisions.- Proofed all print advertising to review for correctness of price, image, and body copy.- Collaborated with Regional Director on all final approvals to ensure the accurate release of advertisements.- Generated and analyzed ad hoc reports to understand specific item performance and tailor future promotions.- Monitored promotional history and sales data to determine the greatest performing ad offers.- Analyzed trends specific to geographic location in order to effectively forecast and adapt promotions that will optimize sales.- Managed all item changes related to price, description, and packaging.- Researched and responded to all inquiries from the Pricing, Shopper Marketing and Advertising Department.- Served as the spokesman and trainer for Meat Department Promotion Specialists.

Santa Barbara, California, Us

- Assisted in the planning and organizing of website media kit.- Video development to generate website traffic.- Created web pages via Joomla (content management framework)- Implementation of search engine optimization strategies.- Assisted in the planning of an e-mail marketing campaign to attract potential clients.

Santa Barbara, Ca, Us

- Responsible for check-in and greeting of residents.- Maintained cleanliness of gym equipment.- Administrative duties.- Provided excellent customer service to all residents.- Key holder.

Santa Barbara, Ca, Us

- Served breakfast, lunch, dinner, and brunch to over 1,200 college students.- Maintained cleanliness of floors, tables, drink areas, and food areas.- Provided customer service to diners.

New York, Us

- Responsible for the marketing and sales of products.- Served food and beverages in the café.- Cashier, Customer Service Desk, and Receiving.- Maintained excellent new/renewal membership sales numbers.

Bachelor Of Arts (Ba), Film And Media Studies

High School Diploma