Jon Lien Email & Phone Number

Saint Paul, Mn, Us

Wayzata, Minnesota

Led commercialization of a new emerging business within Cargill. Collaborated cross-functionally with sales, customers, marketing, operations, supply chain, and external partners. Spearheaded development of the company’s first seafood brand, consistently driving profitable sales growth.● Cultivated a robust sales pipeline across multiple channels, achieving 39% YoY sales growth. Over a seven-year span from inception, achieved ~$9 million in accumulated sales.● Matured business to be leading seafood brand on e-commerce channels: Amazon and Crowd Cow.● Successfully led the retail launch of two products into a strategic Cargill customer with Ahold Delhaize, resulting in placement across nearly 400 stores with close to $1 million sales in the first year; performing above our private label benchmark in sales and velocity.● Served as a subject matter expert, providing technical support to sales teams. Effectively presented product offerings and solutions to customers.● Collaboratively partnered across the entire supply chain (internally and externally) to successfully commercialize 10 products from 3 different countries and supply partners.● Established three new international supply chains for the company (Ecuador, Chile, and Norway) and streamlined import processes by partnering with multiple Cargill cross-functional teams.● Researched industry, supply, and demand trends, presenting findings to business leadership and used insights to optimize sourcing strategy.● Accountable for sourcing, product development, marketing, sales, account management, and integrated business planning.

Working and partnering closely with the Sales Operations Director and Jostens sales leadership team to execute Jostens strategic direction, helping to facilitate and execution of plans and initiatives to drive sales growth.● Led strategic bidding, pricing analysis and budget management. Developed a standardized bid process working with sales and cross-functional teams. ● Standardized bid reporting and proposal templates. Lead direct reports and partnered with sales and finance to create winning bid strategies while maintaining favorable margins. Resulted in $10 million in new and retained business. Increased winning percentage by 26% over two years.● Strategically partnered with an outside vendor for Jostens e-commerce School Store, a new product line and online sales platform. Implemented the process with field sales, sales management and cross-functional teams. New initiative delivered $2.3 million sales in 2017.

Managed the cereal portfolio across the Foodservice & Convenience division, which represented over 20% of the total division profits. Lead a cross-functional team to activate new product launches and renovations.● Successfully lead the launch of 5 new products for the first time in three years for the cereal platform in the Foodservice & Convenience division.● Directed a team of marketers and an agency to develop the first gluten-free website for General Mills Foodservice products.● Effectively managed a $1.2 million budget and forecasting for 50+ SKUs. ● Collaborated with business and cross-functional teams to develop plans and execute new growth strategies through leading weekly team meetings.● Partnered with the Retail division on all cereal product improvements and renovation projects.● Developed sales materials to support key growth initiatives.● Channel marketing experience in K-12, College & Universities, Healthcare, Lodging, Business & Industry and Convenience Stores.

Managed the K-12 and government bid process for the Foodservice Northeast sales region. Directed bid execution, pricing analysis and budget management for operator/distributor bid business.● Increased profitable bid volume growth by 4% through strategic pricing analysis and collaboration with sales and customers.● Managed bid pricing to be in line with division financial objectives.● Provided a seamless transition for customers and sales during the USDA school guideline changes. Made customer visits with sales to present impact of USDA changes and to display General Mills preparedness.● Supported my team by taking on additional work responsibilities for a vacant analytical position on the team. The increased accountabilities allowed me to work cross-functionally within the division to work on multiple tasks beyond my role.● Member of the project team to work on and test a new trade system before roll out to the team.

Managed operations for customer retail accounts (Albertsons, Associated Grocers, Laurel Grocery, Piggly Wiggly, Affiliated Foods, Jetro Cash & Carry) while delivering best in class service for grocery buyers and partnership with General Mills field sales teams. Worked cross-functionally with customers, sales, supply chain and transportation. ● Continuous Improvement leader for my team. Directed my team and motivated them on creating efficiencies for customers and for daily operations.

Directed and regulated foodservice sales customer trade dollars. Worked closely with field sales teams to budget their trade allowances and to find ways to use their funds strategically while making sure customer funds were being used correctly.● Collaborated with sales to manage the transition from customers working through brokers to working directly with General Mills sales. Through broker and customer visits and communication made it a seamless transition for the customer with no effects to daily operations.