Paul Callahan Email & Phone Number

Columbus, Oh, Us

Columbus, Ohio

Mount Prospect, Il

Led sales, category management, and shopper marketing organization for the $1 billion Mizkan America Division of Mizkan Holdings, a privately held, $2.5 billion global food company based in Japan; reported to President/COO of Mizkan America. Oversaw sales operations for category-leading brands of Ragu and Bertolli pasta sauces. Delivered annual targets on net revenue, margin contributions, share growth, and operating budgets.Upgraded, hired, and turned over 60% of sales force in three years; led a team of 35 with eight direct reports. Developed clear performance metrics to outline accountability; reenergized team leading to the highest index on company engagement surveys. Oversaw strategic plans on doubling export business in five years with 20%+ growth in first two years of plan. Led team to regain distribution at Sam’s Club; launched Bertolli pasta sauce in 2018 in Canada for the first time. Directed start-up of market-leading brands in a new organization after integration from Unilever; built sales, category management and shopper marketing teams, trade management, sales operations, tools, reporting, and processes/procedures. Built and grew strong partnerships with broker agencies of Advantage Solutions, ADW/Acosta, and Anderson Merchandisers for HQ and retail organization execution across the various channels.

Oversaw 45+ categories of the Kraft Foods portfolio worth $2.5 billion across Central U.S., supervising business for Meijer, AWG, SuperValu, Hy-Vee, Roundy’s, Spartan/Nash, Schnucks, and other regional clients; reported directly to the President of Sales of North America and EVP of Kraft Foods. Delivered quarterly/annual targets on net revenue, margin contributions, share growth, and operating budget. Managed $42 million selling expense budget and delivered $2 million selling productivity in 2014. Led a field sales team of 195, with eight direct reports.

Oversaw Sales Planning, Shopper Marketing, and Category Management for $3 billion business unit across 15 categories; reported directly to President of Meals & Desserts business unit and EVP of Kraft Foods. Managed $790 million trade budget and delivered $1.1 million net contribution. Key contributor of meals and desserts leadership team; increased revenue, volume, margin and share growth.

Managed 45+ categories of the Kraft Foods portfolio worth $2.3 billion across Central U.S.; grew business by 5%. Oversaw the business of AWG, Meijer, Hy-Vee, Roundy’s, Spartan, Nash-Finch, and Affiliated Midwest. Established strong collaborative relationships with key customer executives and their organizations. Led a field sales team of 160, with eight direct reports.

Directed Sales Planning, Shopper Marketing and Category Management for $4.1 billion business. Led business to 3.2% top line growth and $629 million of net contribution; managed $875 million trade budget. Key contributor of Oscar Mayer leadership team – increased revenue, volume, margin, and share growth. Reported directly to President of Oscar Mayer business unit and EVP of Kraft Foods.

Led a retail sales organization of 2,210 sales professionals (Wall-to-Wall/DSD/Warehouse) for 50+ categories. Directed in-store execution and initiatives of the entire Kraft Foods portfolio for all customers in South Area, including Wal-Mart, Kroger, Publix, H.E.B., Delhaize, and Winn-Dixie. Managed sales in South Area at more than $7 billion; managed $120 million operating budget. Oversaw a team of eight: Regional VPs, Area Planning Director, Finance Managers, and a Sales Analyst.

Managed sales of $1.7 billion business across six snack categories; managed $310 million trade budget. Led the largest business unit (Nabisco/Planters) for Kraft Foods at Wal-Mart; worked with DSD/Warehouse. Performed strategic development, market analysis, budgeting, planning, and personnel management. Cultivated strong business relationships with key Wal-Mart decision makers. Oversaw a team of six; promoted nine employees during tenure.

Managed sales of $1.6 billion business across 25 dry grocery categories; managed $340 million trade budget. Built collaborative relationships with Wal-Mart Dept. 92 VP/DMMs and Category Buyer team. Established a strong alliance between Kraft Foods business units to implement key strategic plans. Increased sales revenue by more than 7%; oversaw a direct sales team of 10.

Directed the National Strategic Sales Planning of DiGiorno, Tombstone, Jack’s and California Pizza Kitchen. Oversaw overall business results for sales targets, market share, OCI and trade budgets. Managed the $1.2 billion business with $180 million trade budget. Achieved sales revenue targets for four consecutive quarters.

Boston, New York & Madison Territories

Held positions of Area Sales Director, Category Sales Planning Manager, Customer Business Manager, Regional Sales Planner, and Account Executive in deli, dairy, dry grocery, and frozen categories.