On-Premise Sales of Spirits, Wine and Beer to foodservice establishments

Responsible for over 5 Million Dollars in yearly sales of fresh, refrigerated Salsa and Italian Tomato products to Corporate and National retail deli and dairy grocery chains across 5 Southwest states that include California, Texas and Arizona​. • Manage trade spend, new item placements and trade show budgets, new item launches and presentations for all headquarter accounts. • Responsible for all aspects of account growth including developing merchandising strategies, marketing and promotional plans and determining product mix recommendations to maximize sell thru.

REGIONAL SALES MANAGER Dynamic producer for this national specialty cheese and gourmet food distributor.  Manage national accounts of Safeway/Albertson’s, Jewel-Osco and Fresh Thyme Markets.  Manage promotions, trade spend, product development and headquarter calls to several independent grocery chains. Increased territory growth by 20% in first year  Responsible for over $4,000,000 dollars in sales

Regional Business Development ManagerRecruited as the Company’s first Regional Manager for 9-state Midwest Region. Responsible for building strong brand recognition across specialty, mass grocery, and upscale foodservice accounts.• Engaged, direct and lead three brokerage teams of over 100 associates to achieve targeted sales, increase ROI and develop brand recognition.• Began with no points of distribution, and grew to over 2,800 customers, nationwide, with sales growth to $4 million within three years.• Built national brand awareness through strong distributor programs and utilization of category management and data tools, such as IRI, SPINS and Nielsen.• Lead, schedule and monitor pricing and promotions for national distributors and retail chains.• Manage new item placements, sales promotions, 15 distribution locations and Account Manager training for headquarter account (Kehe Foods).• Work closely with National Sales Director, Corporate management and Marketing in developing and implementing marketing plans to ensure that promotions/sales goals are being exceeded.

Product Manager / Senior Account ManagerP&L responsibility for $4 million in annual sales.• Implemented new sales and marketing programs in food packaging division to outside and inside sales reps and national packaging distributors.• Interacted with Purchasing and Supply Chain Managers to offer cost effective solutions for shipping refrigerated and frozen food products.• Developed a sales goal and forecast plan that would double sales in three years. Achieved 20% sales growth within the first year. Personally contacted over 4,000 accounts within a 2-month time period.• Ensured that pricing was competitive, margins and EBIDTA goals were met, and sales forecasting and production goals were accurate.• Managed the development and execution of marketing activities, including collateral materials, POS displays, national trade show budgets, and product training and development.

Broker of gourmet chocolate, cheeses and perishable deli products.Key Account ManagerManaged sales, marketing, budgets, new item placements, trade shows and sales training for over 25 principals.• Generated $2 million in yearly sales to national food distributors and key account retail chains.• Grew sales 25% per year by opening new distributor and direct retail accounts in executing new item placements by working directly with Purchasing Departments and Sales Managers of five major distributors and over 1,000 retail stores.

R.K. SALES, INC., Highland Park, IL 1997 – 2000Start-up specialty food broker.Owner / OperatorLaunched business with three principals. Responsible for all sales presentations, category management, forecasting and budgeting.• Grew business from 3 to 10 principals in the first year. Grew sales from $0 to $100,000+• Expanded market share for all principals over 20% per year.