Joe Violi Email and Phone Number

Functioning as the sole Product Specialist for the Produce Category in the GFS Great Lakes Central Division, assist in new business acquisition, communicate all produce-related information to the sales team, lead product and sales trainings, facilitate interdepartmental problem-solving efforts, and execute as needed to increase divisional sales in the produce category with a focus on the Independent Food Service (IFS) space• Directly support over 100 sales reps in a territory spanning over 700 miles• Created a weekly newsletter for the division, covering crop updates, trends, product launches, and any other pertinent information • In three-month period prior to start date, IFS divisional produce sales were down 1.0% compared to the previous three-month period, while the Rest-of-Market (ROM) was up 1.1%; three months later, IFS divisional produce sales were up 5.2% compared to previous three-month period, while ROM up only 1.7%

As part of the Gordon Food Service Marketing Team, supported the Michigan Sales Team and their accounts in several areas of Northern Michigan throughout Northern Michigan. Strengthened relationships with Gordon Food Service clients and uncovered opportunities to increase their operational efficiency and profitability. This manifested itself in several ways, including:P&L and Data AnalysisCost Control and Inventory Management Marketing & Brand IdentityOnline Presence & Social Media Best PracticesMenu AnalysisMenu Engineering & Pricing PsychologyInsights on Consumer Behavior & PsychologyStaffing SolutionsTech SolutionsHospitality WorkshopsMacro Level Perspective on the Restaurant Industry

Provided comprehensive spirits consulting to over 100 on-premise accounts from Manistee to Mackinac Island in Northern Michigan. Clients ranged from your typical dive bar to craft cocktail bars, fine dining establishments, country clubs, resorts, and casinos. Representing the Transatlantic and Royal Divisions within Southern Glazer’s umbrella, portfolios included Beam Suntory, Bacardi USA, Mast Jagermeister, Campari, Casamigos, Constellation, Davos, 375 Park, Phillips Distilling, and others. Aside from the obvious, brand offerings included Grey Goose, Patron, Maker’s Mark, Booker’s, Baker’s, Knob Creek, Angel’s Envy, High West, 1792, Casa Dragones, Cincoro, Clase Azul, Codigo 1530, Lobos 1707, and several others. The entire portfolio covers 100+ brands and 1000+ total SKUs.

Reporting directly to the CEO of Sporcle, Inc., Ali Aydar, essentially functioned as an owner/operator, and had a hand in most tasks required to keep the business operational.Tasks included, but were not limited to:Interviewing/HiringMarketingSocial Media ManagementCustomer RelationsRunning Targeted Facebook AdsEvent Planning Liquor, Beer, & Wine OrderingInventory Process DevelopmentInventory ControlManage POS SystemMaintain BudgetsP&L and ForecastingMenu Development Process Implementation Concept Development Public RelationsHuman Resources