Jim Phillips Email & Phone Number

Houston, Tx

SINGSONG GIFT ENTERPRISE CO., LTD, Shanghai, China; Houston, TX (2010 – Present)Gift and decoration products supplier with $15M in revenue. Sales DirectorHired to identify and develop US market opportunities – evaluating completive and market trends and creating sales plan / process to generate share and revenue. Meet with potential and existing accounts to demonstrate offerings and determine needs. Work collaboratively with design team on product development; with China-based factories on production; with company owners on budgeting / quotes; and with key buyers on seasonal timing.• Drove hardline effort to open new lines of business: enhanced company’s understanding of US market; forged relationships from the ground up to close new accounts; and attended multiple trade shows. • Revamped pricing structure to gain competitive edge. Efforts prompted the creation of first quotes for key retail accounts including Michaels Stores, Tuesday Morning, and Kirkland’s. • Recognized need and convinced management to form partnerships with rep firms in 2 key markets to further penetration. Leveraged contacts to successfully open specific accounts to new departments.

ALLIANCE SALES, Houston, TX (2008 – 2010)Importer of basket, craft, and home décor products serving major US retail chains.National Account ManagerHired to drive the development of business with Walmart due to well-established relationship and history of aggressive account growth. Ascertained Walmart objectives and industry trends to deliver on Alliance’s commitment to facilitating customized, exclusive product mixes at an improved value. • Produced $3M in incremental revenue by transitioning major program into a new Walmart department. • Streamlined internal data analysis and forecasting process, improving alignment of inventory with customer plans and increasing fill rates as a direct result.

COLORBOK INC., Ann Arbor, MI (2005 – 2008)Leading manufacturer of scrapbooking, memory, and craft products; $65M in revenue. National Account ManagerHeld full ownership of all activity with Walmart US and Canada, interacting with divisions across the enterprise to expand share in the scrapbook supply, photo album, stationery, and children’s activity kit categories. Strengthened account relationship and executed strategic planning process to surpass expectations. Administered $15M budget.• Credited with rebuilding relationship with Walmart, paving the way for new product placement opportunities and sales volume growth from $7M to $12M within 3 years: built internal account team; instilled a strong sense of urgency; established ongoing communication; and instituted accountability process for performance measurement.• Revitalized sales forecasting process – achieving 40% YOY volume increase – by introducing new tracking tools and an onboarding sales specialist to train and monitor departments.• Received ongoing recognition from management and buyers for dramatic improvements to all retail measuring metrics, leading team to earn Supplier of the Year Award.• Established company’s first seasonal business, instigating semi-annual import buying meetings in China. As a direct result, acquired new 4-way endcap store placement for peak seasonal sales that yielded $1M average annual increase.

DELTA CREATIVE, Whittier, CA (1994 – 2005)$50M manufacturer of decorative paints and creative craft supplies. Region Sales ManagerMultifaceted leadership role driving sales force and manufacturer rep groups to maximize growth and profitability throughout the western US; assumed additional key account responsibility for Michaels and Walmart, accelerating revenue by working cooperatively with all levels to build high-impact programs, forecast sales, and track metrics. • Persuaded leadership to expand craft channel, targeting and growing Michaels into company’s largest account. Strategic efforts included new in-line placement and first-time placement promotional programs that brought in up to 12% YOY volume increase.• Augmented annual sales as much as 15% by recommending, developing, and deploying a master distributor program. Successfully rejuvenated distributor base by selecting key participants to improve line penetration and sell-through. • Consistently topped quota in a period of severe industry consolidation, producing revenue wins including 10% Walmart account development.

Responsible for management of key retail accounts; Michaels and Wal-Mart. Worked closely with rep groups as sales manager for western half of the USA.