Lorena Cantu Email & Phone Number

Austin, Texas, United States

• Develop, direct and coordinate outreach efforts to increase awareness and participation in federal food programs. • Oversee and coordinate the printing and fulfillment of program materials and digital deliverables.• Assist with coordination of special events from concept to final briefing.• Develop surveys, analyze program data, track and establish project metrics to improve assigned projects and division goals.

Austin, Texas, United States

• Determine the eligibility of existing and potential contracting entities (CEs) to participate in the CACFP nutrition program by ensuring compliance with state and federal program policies, procedures and regulations.• Analyze and process program contracts, applications, renewals and updates according to F&N program policies.• Access contracting entities’ operations through analysis of budget documentation and management plans.

Houston, Texas, United States

• Managed a set of food categories within the Business Center exceeding $150MM in annual sales.• Participated in Sysco’s 6-Step Category Management Process to initiate/renew contracts and drive sales growth, deliver value and product assortment while maximizing efficiency and lowering costs. • Collaborated with cross-functional teams - Costing, Pricing, Sourcing, Supply Planning and QA on new product launches, price changes, Supplier Agreements, inventory deployment and Sysco brand product quality evaluations.• Strengthened Supplier relations through business review meetings and also worked closely with Suppliers to quickly resolve purchase order discrepancies, shortages and out of stock issues.• Composed and issued all category communications to Sysco Operating Companies through SMS Corporate Communications.• Contributed to sales growth plan vs. prior year On Target at Mid-Year (Dec) before COVID-19 pandemic economic shutdown.• Reviewed and approved changes to category Sysco brand product labels to comply with 2020 Nutritional Panel Guidelines, an initiative led by Sysco Packaging and Regulatory.

Los Angeles, California, United States

• Managed Club Channel product portfolio valued at about $100MM in annual sales, comprised of both frozen and shelf-stable brands by managing one Brand Manager and reporting directly to the VP of Marketing.• Executed strategic marketing plan for two retail brands with strong focus on new product development.• Led cross-functional team as project manager (R&D, Procurement, Packaging, Finance and Operations).• Drove innovation pipeline for long-term growth by evaluating new platforms - feasibility of market entry, trend analytics, competitive landscape and profitability analysis for a Go/No Go decision.• Contributed to meeting Club Channel 2018 annual sales growth goal of 45% vs. prior year with portfolio of Asian frozen appetizers and single-serve bowls and Asian shelf-stable soup/noodle bowls, seaweed snacks & rice

Houston, Texas, United States

• Promoted from Senior Product Manager to Director to reflect added responsibility of Business Development – a Sales & Marketing initiative to penetrate restaurant chains.• Managed the Mexican category product portfolio valued at about $62MM in annual sales, reflecting both house and private-label brands; reported directly to VP of Foodservice Marketing.• Ensured profitability of Mexican category by leading strategic brand positioning for Posada® and Butcher Boy® brands, managed private-label product lines for national distributors, and developed all marketing materials for a total of four major brands. • As Project Manager, led cross-functional team of professionals from R&D, Packaging, Purchasing, Regulatory, QA, Logistics / Demand Management, Plant Operations, and Customer Service.• Launched 7-10 new products annually, both house brand and private label and ensured all met volume and profitability targets; collaborated with R&D to identify new product platforms, conducted product validation research, developed P&Ls and presented findings / justification to Executive Team. • Supported Sales Managers to secure new accounts by visiting customers and delivering presentations; also interacted with chain account contacts within Culinary and Purchasing departments. • Increased Mexican Category revenue by 10% (~$5.7MM) during five-year tenure.• Launched three private-label products in FY2013 for an LTO that generated $3.5MM in annual sales; added two new products in FY2014 to secure additional $1MM from the same customer.• Directed launch of two new private-label products for a regional Convenience Store chain that generated $1.1MM annually. • Exceeded Mexican category gross profit target by 3.1% and operating profit target by 3.9% in FY2015.

Houston, Texas Area

• Ensured Asian & Chili / BBQ category profit delivery; led strategic brand positioning for Golden Tiger®, Whitey’s® Chili / Original Chili Bowl®, and private-label product lines.• Spearheaded development of traditional Asian & innovative fusion appetizers by collaborating with R&D for national/regional restaurant chains and private-label brands for Foodservice Distributors.• Generated $35MM / year for Asian category and $25MM / year for Chili / BBQ category; held full P&L authority for $55MM annual budget.• Grew Asian category by 20% (~$5.8MM) during five-year tenure and managed three major brands.• Overhauled product packaging for wholesale products, including food photography, package design, and copy including recipes.• Launched average of 10 new Asian products annually custom / proprietary, private-label, and house-label, including appetizer that generated $1.9MM / year at a national restaurant chain.Previous tenure: Category Marketing Manager - Commercial Channels (National Restaurant Chains, Convenience Stores & Grocery In-Store Deli) at Schwan’s Foodservice, Inc. in Marshall, MN