Steve Kuklinski Email & Phone Number

Greater Chicago Area

Experienced Sales & Marketing professional with 10+ years of experience with project management, key accounts, strategic planning, supply chain demand and supply planning, sales operations and team leadership. Am currently a self-employed independent contractor open to full-time positions in National/Key Account Management, Customer Success, Sales Operations and Marketing. Currently leading a market expansion and database development project for an international private investor wealth management firm specializing commercial real estate advisory and brokerage services to increase retail property portfolio sales in under penetrated markets. Key project highlights involve the following:• Identifying MSA and submarkets based on stock and velocity analyses and current penetration.• Categorizing retail properties based on $2MM average deal size• Reporting on key market KPI’s to create marketing content and facilitate underwriting• Isolating key competitors and conducting SWOT analyses• Building and segmenting a prospect database for CRM (Salesforce)• Creating sales presentations, marketing materials and marketing plans

Chicago, Usa

A Netherlands-based global agency with 1,000+ employees specializing in short-term, data-driven shopper/loyalty promotions and digital marketing solutions to forge consumer engagement for grocery, mass, drug, C-store and CPG customers, producing $400 million annually.Member of a 2 person team leading US start-up business development, key account management and supply chain/logistics. Spearheaded lead generation/qualification and created sales presentations. Managed Disney license agreements, data analysis and end-to-end retail execution. Coached Netherlands-based counterparts on the US market. Excelled at team leadership and customer relationship management at all levels with clients and their business affiliates. Oversaw internationally based cross functional teams and led concept/creative development, digital marketing strategy and promotional app creation, in-store merchandising, retail operations, promotional product manufacturing and distribution.• Achieved $3.8MM in revenue with a $45MM rollout potential by selling a pilot promotion to the largest US grocery retailer in year one of a US start-up• Mitigated 100% of client promotional investment costs by capturing CPG trade spend funding through the conception of numerous sponsorship packages, devising themed vendor events and conducting persuasive presentations• Initiated post-sale project management process development that produced 25% cutback of go-to-market timelines and improved retail promotion execution capabilities for international teams, clientele, Disney and customer associates• Conducted POS data analysis to set stretch spend levels and achieved ~2% acceleration in client sales during a promotional period by advancing the average basket size and proliferating visit frequency

Greater Chicago Area

A global 8 billion dollar organization with 10,000+ employees providing marketing, promotion management, supply chain, analytics, packaging, print management and logistic services to the foodservice industry.Controlled sales and key account management teams for McDonald's, Coca-Cola, Dr Pepper, food manufacturers and distributors. Excelled at managing customer relationships, identifying needs and developing business solutions for field marketing and supply chain initiatives. Led strategic planning, process development and improvement, packaging design and promotions to support menu management/innovation, limited time offers (LTO), menu campaigns and marketing plans. Proficient at exceeding sales targets, team leadership and cross functional collaboration.• Surpassed sales goals 11% for 7 years by coaching, mentoring and training top talent• Increased sales 79% from $3MM to $14 million in 3 years by leading strategic planning, organizational development and alignment, and resource allocation to identify and commercialize new business opportunities• Oversaw project management with 97% accuracy executing 300+ marketing promotions and 100+ LTO menu promotions annually• Mitigated $20MM in food inventory costs and increased LTO profitability with process improvements to forecasting, supply planning and demand planning• Netted 48% of annual sales goal by collaborating with 22 field marketing teams, 40+ agencies, client creative leads and HAVI’s suppliers to develop inline production tactics and brand content for marketing promotions• Utilized value selling to augment marketing campaigns with packaging and increased avg. margin per order 600%, avg. order size 500% and avg. margin per thousand 120%• Earned 52% of annual sales goal and procured a 680% ROI by examining CapEx investment and risk assessment to commercialize new products• Achieved 55% upsurge in avg. check by applying data analysis, consumer insights and menu tests to create meal bundle options

Greater Chicago Area

Ran field sales, strategic account management and customer service leading marketing calendar, menu management, field service and supply chain initiatives managing 8 regions on the McDonald’s business. Fostered strategic alliances with McDonald’s business partners.• Grew sales 80% and eclipsed sales goal 25% by founding a monthly e-newsletter incorporating promotional packaging with marketing calendars to conserve accord• Increased revenue 45% by developing strategic plans with Coca-Cola leveraging promotional packaging to sell their licensed properties and national retail campaigns to McDonald’s regions• Advanced division sales 39% in one year by directing clear cup product development, branding and commercialization to accompany the introduction and market expansion of a new iced coffee beverage, subsequently serving as the national cup set for McCafe branded beverages• Maintained 70% revenue by collaborating with HAVI Data Scientists to outline analytic requirements, draft business cases to evaluate promotions and implement Tableau dashboards, affording personnel comprehensive data analysis and reporting tools• Improved processes for promotional packaging, decreased timelines 33% and increased market penetration 20% by producing brand content and artwork for agencies, gleaning national brand and creative authorization, and delivering proposals, allowing time for adjustments to accommodate unique co-op needs and endorsements• Sustained 95% food and packaging forecasting precision, minimizing financial risks attributed to supply chain disruptions by monitoring marketing activity to make manufacturing and distribution adjustments• Secured 15% revenue annually by guiding initiatives for shareable food and beverages, expanding manufacturer sales, generating higher ticket menu items and fostering strategic alliances

Greater Chicago Area

Leo Burnett, part of Publicis Communications, is one of the world's largest agency networks with 96 offices in 85 countries and 8,000+ employees. The global agency works with some of the world's most valued brands and combines real-time human insights with creativity to create solutions that help people and businesses.Directed cross functional agency teams and sister companies in the conception of brand strategies and fully integrated campaigns to connect with clients’ customers and drive business results. Skilled at customer relationship management across client organizations, internal/external team leadership and P&L/cost control.Accounts: Kellogg’s, Philip Morris, McDonald’sPro bono: UN Foundation/Ad Council Better World Fund• Established scope of work and controlled brand budgets/P&L in excess of $40MM• Administered strategic planning with agency counterparts and clients’ brand groups to establish overarching brand strategy and positioning, campaign development and channel strategies• Managed product launches, promotions, retail execution/merchandising, direct mail, print, broadcast, CRM/loyalty programs, data analysis, research, packaging, production and experiential brand events with agency cross functional teams, brand partners and third party affiliates• Led project management for multiple endeavors at one time unifying and inspiring cross functional teams to meet client deliverables in an efficient and timely manner

Master Of Business Administration - Mba

Bachelor Of Science In Business Administration & Marketing, Business, Management, Marketing, And Related Support Services