Jon Murray Email & Phone Number

Cincinnati, OH, US

Carlsbad, California, US

https://www.miltonscraftbakers.com/Founded in 1995, Milton's Craft Bakers makes delicious, trustworthy craft foods you can feel good about.Responsible for the sales organization, new business development and building/profitably growing our long-standing retail customers. Develop sales strategies for all our frozen and shelf-stable products across all.

• Founded in 1931, Sonoma Creamery produced Artesian Fresh cheeses & high-quality cheese snacks - acquired by Our Home
• Reported to the President/CEO and active member of company leadership team.
• Built and grew a strong, high-performing sales team and broker network.
• Took a Leadership role in new product development and new product launches.
• Developed a strong network of customers, suppliers, and industry contacts.
• Developed annual and multi-year data driven sales and promotional strategies utilizing multiple data sources and EBIDTA focused programs.

Boonton, New Jersey, US

• VSB was established by VMG Partners in 2019 to capitalize on BFY snacking category trends - acquired by Our Home
• Optimized team through reorganization, review of 3rd party resources and staffing of a leaner sales function in first 90 days.
• Developed sales strategy including new pack and price architecture to ensure continuity across all customers & channels.
• Facilitated meetings with key retailers to share new vision, innovation plans and areas of improvement.
• Grew net revenue responsibly and profitably while ensuring minimal disruption to customers and consumers.
• Partnered with BI director for data and reporting needs.

Morrisville, North Carolina, US

• Pyxus GSP was a start-up consumer products business within a $2B publicly traded co. focusing on CBD Hemp products
• Developed and executed channel and selling strategies for a vertically integrated CPG Global Specialty business (start up division)
• Built retail partnerships with traditional retail, specialty, medical, professional, retail, eCommerce and HBC channels to expand distribution of company’s products in the US and globally
• Identified customers’ wants and needs to build selling strategies that leverage company's strengths
• Built fact-based sell stories, decks and collateral to expand distribution and shelf space
• Recruited, managed and motivated a national and regional direct team and broker sales team responsible for expanding distribution and increasing velocity of the company’s products and brands.

Austin, TX, US

• Amplify is a leading global BFY snacking company the believes in snacking without compromise that was acquired by The Hershey Company in January 2018
• Positive, energetic and visionary leader that created a sustainable, winning culture.
• Mentored & coached 9 direct reports in US and Canada by maintaining an energetic, forward-thinking, professional environment
• Led customer planning process, inclusive of fiscally responsible and coordinated trade planning processes including trade effectiveness and efficiency that drove and improved return on investment.
• Performed routine and ad-hoc brand specific business and customer analyses (eg: brand performance, competitive analysis, consumer tracking, customer/shopper tracking, shipment, customer spins and other analyses).
• Effectively established, led, monitored and course-corrected direct sales & broker agency priorities.

Mclean, Virginia, US

• Responsible for leading and developing a team of 9 associates responsible for HQ sales at U.S. strategic grocery customers - Albertsons, Meijer, HEB, Jewel, Giant Eagle, Wegmans, HyVee, Super Value, Shopko, Woodmans,
• Designed and executed downstream HQ coverage model utilizing 3rd party (Advantage Solutions) for retailers that purchase from wholesalers.
• Actively led customer sales managers and provide team members direction on customer solutions for profitable sales growth – new item speed to market, everyday products/assortment/shelving, merchandising, pricing.
• Develop relationships at Vice President level or higher to influence the implementation of strategic solutions that deliver results beneficial to both Mars and our customers.
• Leveraged insights, data (data analyses, trends, etc.) and resources (internal sales, CD, etc.) to continually bring new growth ideas to market and incorporate in all customer solutions
• Developed processes for team to ensure consistent operational execution of bottoms up account plans, efficient use of trade funds, new items and display activity.

Mclean, Virginia, US

• Mars Veterinary is a start- up division within Mars Inc. that develops and commercializes IP supported by evidence-based claims
• Management Team leadership role reporting directly to General Manager
• Accountable for sales, fixed cost & trade budgets, improving overall business shape (ROI, SW&B, GM)
• Developed and implemented unique route-to-market strategies & priorities across all sales channels globally
• Directed field sales team for Wisdom Panel Canine Genetic Tests across Consumer (Amazon and E- commerce customers, Retail, & Club) Veterinary, Shelter and Breeder channels in the US, Western Europe and Asia Pacific.
• Collaborated with marketing director to drive channel specific strategies and consumer activities

Mclean, Virginia, US

• Primary responsibility for the end-to-end management of our $450MM Cat Portfolio - Main Meal/Snacks & Treats.
• Lead and develop a team of 4 sales planning managers with focus on sales and customer planning for all new item launches including customer team meetings, communication materials, selling stories, and listing programs.
• Decision making authority over TMF budget and how to best allocate across programs and accounts nationally.
• Collaborate with Sr. level cross functional partners across Sales Finance, Operations, Field Sales, Marketing and Demand Planning to positively impact our brand P&L.
• Set volume and distribution targets for the SBU
• Developing activity-based account plans with product mix and trade investment level recommendations that deliver over-all category value

Chicago, IL, US

• Created and executed strategic business plans to achieve assigned profit and volume targets on $85MM business at Kroger
• Partnered with internal category development, retail and broker organization to plan and develop account specific merchandising, assortment, pricing and shelving programs.
• Managed business within defined spending parameters while considering the strategic direction of the multiple brands and customer strategies.
• Coached and directed the efforts of a Category Sales Analyst (AC Nielsen, dunnhumby, customer specific data) Accounting Coordinator (contracts, deductions, general paperwork), Co-Marketing Manager (Dry and Frozen.
• Drove customer specific concepts, products, and packaging needs within co-marketing, category development & brand teams.
• Developed strong business relationships with key individuals throughout the account’s category management organization and various support groups (division level, buyers, administrative).

New Brunswick, NJ, US

• Led a multi-functional team in the creation & execution of category & brand strategies at Kroger for PPC brands (Oral Care, San Pro, Hair Care).
• Responsible for delivering $42MM in annual sales volume, achieving market share goals and executing key business drivers as determined by the sales leadership team.
• Primary deliverables included penetrating the customer at all levels, understanding their key strategies and objectives, and developing short and long term collaborative business plans that deliver mutual benefits.
• Owned trade spend/deduction levels/ROI spend analysis as well as performance and development of direct reports.
• Collaboratively planned and partnered with internal sales teams at Corporate HQ to effectively manage pricing, promotion, shelf management and new items.

Mclean, Virginia, US

• Developed and facilitated programs/coverage models to support corporate strategic sales plans at all classes of trade - Wal*Mart, Target, Large Outlet Grocery, Club, Mass and Drug Accounts.
• Trained and developed a team of 6 direct reports that provided operational support to NSM’s, CFT’s, KAM’s and RSM’s.
• Analyzed the effectiveness of retail performance and provided actionable data to client group to positively effect placement, share of shelf and distribution.
• Managed a third party vendor that supplied data services for HP handheld units. This store level data, along with IRI and Spectra, was used to analyze trends in the marketplace.
• Acted as the primary contact for all field based retail managers and internal brand teams to facilitate communication to all sales associates.
• Worked with commercial buyers and corporate attorneys to negotiate annual retail brokerage contract.

Mclean, Virginia, US

• Led a team of 8 direct reports that served as the primary linkage between internal clients and field sales/brokers.
• Managed communications from National office to remote based sales associates - sales intranet portal, national bulletin communication system, price lists, product specifications, promotional fact sheets, graphics.
• Also responsible for managing corporate fleet vehicle program and all aspects of the National Sales Meeting.
• Worked with legal counsel to review and facilitate customer contracts and agreements.

Mclean, Virginia, US

• Managed a $125 Million Pet Care, Food (ambient and frozen) & Frozen Novelty business at The Kroger Co., our second largest domestic customer.
• Developed strategic sales plans in order to achieve company growth objectives and profitability.
• Guided & directed the efforts of a cross functional team of 3 direct and 10 indirect reports (Account Managers, Logistics, Finance, Category Managers, Co-Marketing & Sales Analyst) to drive sales growth and.
• Managed a total trade budget of $15 million with full P&L responsibility.
• Acted as the central point of contact to provide information, assistance & training to all field sales associates.
• Responsible for securing optimal distribution, favorable pricing & display support, POG's & schematics.

Mclean, Virginia, US

• Responsible for managing, motivating, and directing the actions of brokers and making HQ calls at NY and PA based retailers & wholesalers.
• Worked with retail supervisors to ensure stores are set to Plan-O-Gram, out of stock conditions are minimized and shelving objectives were met.

• Celantano Foods - 1992 to 1994 - Verona NJ based family owned frozen Italian food manufacturer - Entrees, Fresh Food/Meals
• Responsible for developing sales plan and executing via 3rd party brokers, primarily in the Eastern US (Maine to Florida).
• Business and Market Development. Interviewed and appointed brokerage companies in the Southeast and Rocky Mountain Region (CO, UT, NM) and then pioneered various brands in those states.Pope Foods - 1994 to 1996.
• Responsible for developing sales plan and executing via 3rd party brokers in the Northeast region (Maine to Balt/Wash area). After successfully growing NE, I hired my replacement and took business development role to.

Bs In Business, Marketing And International Business

Mba, Management

High School Diploma, College/University Preparatory And Advanced High School/Secondary Diploma Program