Justin Neff Email & Phone Number

Mason, Ohio

Successfully launched and grew a startup, unique, craft brewery brand, in which we have built a loyal customer base and expanding distribution across multiple markets. In 6 years we have created multiple award-winning beers, sell to over 4,000 retail accounts in 3 states, and have grown year over year in volumes and revenues every year of operation.We have built a strong and resilient business model that has combined a passion for high quality brewing, innovative marketing, and strategic distribution. This role requires a blended passion for growing small business with business acumen, and leading all aspects of the brewery from a concept to a highly-regarded player in the craft beer market.Lead all strategic, operational, and creative aspects of launching and scaling our brand, from inception to distribution. Focused on quality, innovation, efficiency, we have built a dedicated consumer base, while driving operational efficiency and quality control across all operations.Oversee the brewery’s business model, sales strategies, budgeting, and financial forecasting to ensure profitability and sustainable growth. Developed short and long-term business plans, setting clear objectives and KPI's for production, distribution, and market penetration.Built and maintained relationships with distributors, retailers, and local businesses to expand the brewery’s presence and reach.Manage overall seasonal strategies with production, sales, operations, and marketing teams to create strategic campaigns for new product launches, seasonal releases, and community events.Recruited, trained, and oversee management of a diverse team of over 75 people, fostering a collaborative and passionate workplace culture.Developed leadership programs to enhance culture, company growth, and operational efficiencyOversee all financial operations, including P&L and cash flow management, and budgeting.

Cincinnati, Ohio Area

Full Responsibility of Account Management, Strategy, and Planning/Implementation at Kroger for several key brands - Barilla Pasta, King Arthur Flour, Pompeian Olive Oil, among several others. Managed and led all sales and marketing strategy and planning, trade and financial budgeting, category management, new product launches, and data evaluation with internal and external team members- Analyzed market trends, competitor activities, and sales data to implement sales strategies at Kroger- Managed communication to Kroger on behalf of clients- Worked with in-store reps to ensure proper product placements and product rotation was maintained at store level - Managed large trade budget to execute sales promotions, and pricing strategies - Tracked account performance, reported on KPIs, and provide insights to both clients and internal teams.- Provided guidance on client strategy combined with sales opportunities at Kroger - Utilized national and local sales data to develop further growth and strategy changes/implementations- Manage budgets for client accounts, overseeing spending and ensuring financial targets are met.- Work with client finance teams to forecast sales, set revenue targets, and manage account profitability.- Utilize data to provide insights and recommendations on product launches, and positioning- Led collaboration with marketing, operations, and supply chain teams to ensure smooth execution of promotions, deliveries, and product availability.- Over communicate client needs and expectations to internal teams for cohesive service delivery.- Generate regular reports, utilizing data on sales performance, market trends, and client satisfaction.- Identify areas for growth, suggest improvements, and optimize service offerings to grow overall category and market share.- Collaborate with internal and external marketing teams for new business opportunities within Kroger markets

Cincinnati, Ohio

Led customer-facing efforts with Kroger's General Office, managing daily communication, sales strategy, and negotiations with the Coffee Category Manager. Key initiatives included delivering financial and top-line sales goals, driving share growth in the single-serve coffee category, increasing quality display shipments, expanding points of distribution through new item placements and key item voids, and improving household penetration.- Oversaw a $140M revenue budget and managed $28M in trade promotional funds. - Maintained a strong relationship with Kroger's buying group and coordinated execution with broker retail partners. - Drove accurate shipment forecasting and trade promotion management, ensuring successful event execution and effective margin negotiation.- Managed total budget of $140M in revenue and more than $28M in trade promotional dollars. - Directly managed relationship with Kroger buying group and broker retail partner execution. - Maintained day-to-day shipment forecasting and trade promotion management through event execution and efficient negotiation on customer margin compression.

Was responsible for making the customer-facing fresh meat and grocery call to Kroger Columbus, maintaining day-to-day communication with division merchandisers, district coordinators, and pricing coordinators – key initiatives include increasing store level points of distribution, upselling of headquarter allocated display activity, maintaining base price management, and increasing division level execution of the incremental sales plans with local opportunities for Columbus market. Also directly responsible for collaboration and execution management with retail agency partners.Sold incremental programs to PY, equating to $1.5MM in incremental revenue.In less than six full months in this role, I finished 2013 with $1.1MM in incremental revenue through additional case sales distributions and increased shipper and module allocations. Ended 2013 by outpacing Kroger headquarters in FY % Change ($) in fresh meat (Oscar Mayer) by +1.6%, Cheese (Kraft, Cracker Barrel) by +1.6%, and beverage (MiO, Crystal Light Liquid & Powder, Kool-Aid, Maxwell House, Gevalia, Capri Sun) by +0.9%. In total Kraft portfolio, Kroger Columbus outperformed Kroger headquarter % Change ($) by +0.7%.

Cincinnati, Oh

Was responsible for managing the offline spending/funding tracker for the Shopper Marketing Group on the Kroger and SuperValu customer business teams – consisting of $60+M. My role also entailed high level invoice payment responsibility, frequent assistance and input with the broader national SMG directors/managers, and post program analysis for SMG programs.Integral in the development and leadership of the new shopper marketing process at Kroger and SuperValu, which led to a more collaborative and integrated team environment, resulting in quicker and more detailed post promotional analysis and actualization. Also took a lead role with other team members in developing a post-promotional scorecard to be utilized by the Kroger leadership team for future planning and ROI analysis.

- Conduct and maintain full business management responsibility of Pinnacle Frozen Food Division, including promotional planning, trade fund management, sustaining and builiding upon distribution goals, and new item introductions for Birds Eye, Hungry Man, Aunt Jemima, Celeste, Lender's Bagels, Van De Kamp's, and Mrs. Paul's brands. Responsible for business management of these brands for 9 different customers in the Chicago and Milwaukee Markets. - Conducted Affiliated Foods Midwest Corporate Headquarter call in Kenosha, Wisconsin representing a portfolio of 30+ CPG clients, which includes 40+ different major brands in dry grocery, frozen, and dairy categories. - Maintained full Business Management responsibility for Wells Dairy Enterprises (Blue Bunny and Weight Watchers Ice Cream) for Central Grocers in Chicago, Illinois. This responsibility includes managing a strict budget of trade funds and promotional planning. Recently increased total distribution at Central Grocers from 5 to 42 items in 4 months time.- Proficient in the use of ACNielsen, Siebel CRM, and MEI CRM programs

- Assisted in the day-to-day business management of Heinz Frozen Food Division, including promotional planning, trade fund management, and new item introduction for 4 different customers in the Chicago and Milwaukee markets. - Conducted Dearborn Wholesale Grocers Corporate Headquarter call representing a portfolio of 4 major CPG clients. - Maintained full Business Management responsibility for 5 CPG clients, which included trade fund management, promotional planning, new item introductions, and distribution goal increases for all 6 customers related to the Chicago and Milwaukee markets.