Sarah Skeem Email & Phone Number

Boise, Idaho Area

Manage a team of Business Managers responsible for a combined CPG portfolio of business exceeding 200m+ within Albertsons Companies 2200 store chain and Winco Foods while personally responsible for managing a $50m+ portfolio of CPG clients. As GM HBC Director, manage the selling process with a team of 19 Business Managers through the US for all GM HBC clients to sell in monthly promotional programs to ensure target sales goals are met and to gain secondary merchandising and feature. Provide corporate GM HBC leadership team with key metrics highlighting our clients’ success within their organization. Identify opportunities to gain client exposure with incremental advertising, corporate program partnerships and contests. Serve as the customers’ GM HBC primary point of contact for all initiatives including category management and promotions strategies.

Responsible for selling an exclusive small SKU premium priced brand of natural supplements to both independent and corporate chain health food and supplement stores in Idaho, Montana and Washington. Responsible for $1.3m budget. Clients include independent retailers, and major national retailers including Super Supplements, Whole Foods, Natural Grocers, Vitamin Cottage, Lucky’s Market, and Rosauers/Huckleberries. Manage an extensive co-op advertising, training and discount budget. Manage merchandising placement, floor displays, shelf space, end cap displays and brand partnerships inside the retail spacse. Also manage new product introductions.Selected Achievements:• National Top 5 Sales Rep Award Winner 2014• Independent territory was not profitable when I took it over now maintain profit margin of 45%• Ranked #1 company wide in reduction in discounts given – maximized line profitability• Manage the largest geographic territory in the United States• Territory has grown consistently year over year

Responsible for selling and servicing independent retail health food and supplement stores in Idaho, Oregon and Montana. Working from a remote home office and reporting to the Director of Sales, successfully maintain a $1.8m budget. Successfully manage 75 accounts and represent over 30 brands and over 5000 SKUs. Responsible for increasing product mix in each account while increasing brand penetration. Regularly travel over 3000 miles per month by car to visit and service accounts.Selected Achievements:• Grew territory income by 10% with consistent growth without ever having negative growth in the territory, a highly lauded feat in a very mature market.• Consistently one of the top 10 sales reps in the company out of 50 reps• Won national sales contest and many brand specific awards• Ranked in the top 10 sales reps for successfully introducing and supporting company marketing and sales growth programs• Manage the largest geographic territory in the United States and have consistently maintained positive growth.

Helped develop and launch a new skincare company, ZhēnSpa, by creating conceptual for web design, product packaging, affiliate program and help shape autoship program. Created and influenced CEO during initial stages on a branding strategy, and developed an online community concept to help promote the line. Liaise with design and production to ensure that deliverables meet creative expectations and deadlines. Educate sales partners of products’ features and benefits to help them successfully promote and sell the skincare line. Contact possible online partners to sell the line or promote through sampling promotions or product recommendations.

Boise, Idaho Area

Built direct relationships with retail partners across the United States and developed business opportunities within the beauty, accessory, handbag and shoe categories of the online business. Lead point of contact for all retail vendors and brands within these categories. Responsible for negotiating, establishing and managing these partnerships. Oversaw integration process with merchants and IT department. Regularly communicated with accounts to discuss product placement opportunities and participation in promotions. Supported merchandising team when building seasonal and promotional collections, and assisted the marketing team with creation of ad campaigns, SEM, and rewards programs. Attended trade shows and utilized cold calling techniques to create and build new relationships with partners, educate the brands or vendors on our service’s benefits, and negotiate revenue share terms and close the contract. Selected Achievements:• Secured 15 contracts with the highest commission percentage, averaging 17%, with new retail partners• Created and managed Customer Reward Program by outlining the structure and roll out plan, negotiating merchant partner participation, collaborating with customer service manager and VP of Sales when drafting final proposal • Analyzed merchant data regarding sales, click-through, and buy now clicks using reporting tools such as Omniture and network reports to manage and monitor results and performance levels of merchants• Initiated and maintained relationships with business partners to secure samples and assistance for Personal Shopper’s online and national print ad campaigns that reflected current trends

Boise, Idaho Area

Entered new orders, created and maintained files, collected assessments and reviewed title before closing, shipped closing packages to customers and lenders, funded and dispersed funds after files recorded.

Increased counter sales by educating and coaching a seven person sales staff team, creating mini-promotions to sell through product lines and meet sales goals, planning and promoting company-wide special events with Clinique’s Regional Manager, Macy*s Store Director and Department Manager. Coached a 4% increase in YTD sales for Clinique’s 1.3 million dollar cosmetic counter in a down market. Maintained daily business records and provided month end reports to Macy*s and Clinique supervisors. Presented training materials and discussed selling strategies and coaching methods in monthly regional management meetings. Maintained 500+ customer records for Clinique and trained staff how to effectively followed-up with clients after purchases to increase customer loyalty and build business. Selected Achievements:• Maintained 12% personal sales growth as the manager while driving a 8% increase in overall sales for Clinique’s core 3-Step Skin Care business.• Increased sales by 27% during a three week sales event that generated 1/6th of that year’s business.• Exceeded Clinique’s Average Unit Sales (AUS) goal by 288% and Items Per Transaction (IPT) goal by 200% for individual sales.• The business deemed “the perfect ball of business” and used as the example of what all counter business should achieve during Clinique’s national sales management meetings because all categories of business showed positive growth.• Recognized by Clinique’s Regional Trainer for exceptional new hire training

Bachelors, English

English