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.

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.
• 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.
• Supported Sales Managers to secure new accounts by visiting customers and delivering presentations; also interacted with chain account contacts within Culinary and Purchasing departments.

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.