Stephen Simpson Email & Phone Number

Manchester, United Kingdom

Greater Manchester, United Kingdom

Managed a large, successful portfolio including all the major Discount Retailers, Discount Grocery, Convenience Grocery, Lidl, Aldi and a top Fashion Retailer.

Managing a large portfolio which included all the major Discount Retailers, High Street Fashion Accounts, Delivered wholesale and large convenience chains

Managing a portfolio of Cash & Carrys and buying groups. Responsible for driving sales and distribution of character branded confectionery and other popular international brands.

Responsible for 120 accounts worth 1.4 million to the business annually. Tasked with maintaining and increasing spend with existing clients, signing up and developing new clients and reactivating lapsed clients.

After selling my business at the end of 2008, I decided to help my brother set up his new landscaping company whilst looking for my next challenge. Over this time, I have worked hard alongside him to grow the business. This has involved direct sales and marketing to domestic and commercial clients whilst still finding the time to get my hands dirty. In addition I was involved in recruiting, training and organising new members of staff. The business now has a solid portfolio of completed works, along with a substantial client base for contracted regular maintenance. Locally the company's reputation is excellent and clients include a town council, a golf club and a number of multimillionaires. As my goal to help him start a successful business was complete I decided it was time to find the next challenge.

In February 2005 a business partner and I invested in a failing takeaway business in south Leeds. With his background in the industry and my history in sales and marketing it was our intention to turn the business around and sell it on. Within 3 years we had doubled the turnover and built a thriving small business which was then sold in September 2008. This 'first hand' experience gave me valuable insight into the needs and motivations of fast food outlets.

A business development and merchandising role, working for McCurrach UK Ltd on behalf of Unilever. I was responsible for the Yorkshire and Humberside area, looking after supermarket clients such as Tesco, Asda and Sainsburys. My main duties included driving in store promotions, implementation of new product lines, maximising displays and ensuring product availability. During my time with Unilever I was able to increase availability of products across my stores to 99.5% and regularly exceeded my targets for additional promotional displays and new product launches. Unfortunately I had to leave this role prematurely to care for my partner.

A business development role, working for CPM on behalf of Masterfoods. I was responsible for a wide ranging territory including Yorkshire, Humberside and parts of Lancashire. This role was a mix of sales and marketing. My client list included all the major supermarkets and a number of convenience store chains. During my time with Masterfoods I helped to launch 6 new product lines including Maltesers Ice Cream and Mars Delight. The key requirements of the role were to negotiate additional and improved displays for our products. To ensure all product lines were in stock and to correct any errors. To drive sales by running promotions in store for both customers and retailers. This is a role in which I excelled and received regular commendations for my

A direct sales role for the introduction of V Energy drink in the UK. I was responsible for acquiring new clients in the Leeds and Bradford area. The position involved cold-calling on convenience stores, newsagents, garages, sports clubs and any other organisation which might sell cold drinks, in order to encourage them to sell V Energy drink. In a very short time our sales force was able to take V from being an unknown product to the third most sold energy drink in the UK. Out of a team of 85 representatives, I was consistently in the top 2 performers and regularly achieved in excess of 25 new clients each week. This position gave me a fantastic start in sales and a great understanding of the convenience and wholesale trade. Sadly the sales team was disbanded when the company was bought out by Danone. My success at Frucor was highlighted by the offer of a Sales role at their Head Office in New Zealand, following the takeover.

Education record

B, English; Maths And Chemistry