Category Manager responsible for growing category profitability through vendor relationships, synergistic marketing programs, data analysis, market analysis, and brand management. Innovative and passionate for developing and executing marketing and merchandising objectives.

➢ Recruited, interviewed, and recommended candidates for all positions in the organization.➢ Created a career path program for all Assistant Managers, Store Managers, and District Managers.➢ Created Assistant Manager and Store Manager training guides.

➢ Responsible for category management and the introduction of new items to 65 stores.➢ Constructed planograms and executed planograms at store level.➢ Designed layouts for new and remodeled stores.➢ Contributed to monthly leadership meetings with presentations on new procedures and changes affecting the merchandising and marketing side of the business.➢ Focused on growing relationships with vendor partners, impacting incremental growth opportunities.➢ Created monthly promotional packages including in-house signage and marketing decisions.➢ Analyzed and made purchasing decisions.➢ Ensured implementation of programs at store level by touring stores.➢ Continued education through attending NACS (National Association of Convenience Stores) conferences.

➢ Responsible for the growth of all major in store categories. This resulted in profitability growth of non-gasoline gross profit of 13 percent in 2004 and 15 percent in 2005.➢ Directed corporate pricebook. Developed integrity within system by paying vendors only by negotiated pricing.➢ Grew incremental profit and rebate monies by introducing new product lines, negotiating better costs, optimizing margins, and negotiating placement dollars and incentive dollars for all products.➢ Developed marketing campaigns utilizing strategic partner’s marketing dollars for synergies in brand building. ➢ Instrumental in the creation of various strategic brands within Open Pantry (Willow Creek Coffees, Santa Fe Café, and Frozen Tundra). ➢ Responsible for operations/implementation of Open Pantry’s brand building venture Willow Creek Espresso Bar.➢ Focused on growing relationships with vendor partners, impacting incremental growth opportunities.➢ Created/directed roll out of monthly promotional packages including in-house signage and marketing decisions.➢ Led monthly sales and leadership meetings, communicating with Store Sales Leaders, Regional Sales Leaders, Senior Vice President, and President to ensure all parties have accurate up to date information.➢ Gatekeeper for all new product introductions.➢ Knowledgeable in back house PDI accounting system.➢ Recognized for exceptional teamwork and leadership qualities, including winning the “fun award” one of the seven core values of Open Pantry.➢ Developed and led a new vision of merchandise expectations with the “Brand Score Card.”➢ Complete Management of rebate program from creating deals, to invoicing, to ensuring money is paid.➢ Continued education through attending NACS, SOI (State of the Industry), and NACS category management conferences.➢ Responsible for all merchandise purchasing including biannually attending the Mclane Vendex trade show.

➢ Maintained an outstanding level of performance throughout my tenure as District Manager by meeting and exceeding financial and image goals.➢ Led a team of nine locations in the Fox Valley, Wisconsin region.➢ Created high expectations with focus on customer perception, customer satisfaction, sales, and margin by creating teamwork within the district and employee retention➢ Achieved top mystery shop scores, reduced out of stocks, held management accountable for team expectations.➢ Enhance quality of district by hiring high quality management, produced organizational tools, and created district incentive programs.➢ Coached and enhanced key skills including leadership, delegation, motivation, responsibility, and determination.