John D. Countryman

Category Manager at Founders Brewing Co.
  • Claim this Profile
Contact Information
us****@****om
(386) 825-5501
Location
Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill Area

Topline Score

Topline score feature will be out soon.

Bio

Generated by
Topline AI

You need to have a working account to view this content.
You need to have a working account to view this content.

Experience

    • United States
    • Food and Beverage Services
    • 100 - 200 Employee
    • Category Manager
      • Oct 2020 - Present

      Analyze data and insights to determine industry and consumer trends. • Routine Reporting: Analyze IRI and VIP sales data monthly tracking Founders sales against key competitors and internal targets then communicate the analysis to sales and leadership.• Create sales decks with data and insights to support key initiatives with National Accounts including Total Wine & More, Publix, Harris Teeter, Whole Foods, Hannaford, Wegmans, Circle K, and many more in the Eastern US.• Support Field Sales with data and insights to gain alignment with wholesalers on sales strategy.• Utilize Blue Yonder Space Planning to monitor shelf space changes and create plans to optimize shelf space at key retailers.

    • Key Account Manager
      • Nov 2018 - Oct 2020

      Lead and manage business, promotions, distribution, innovation, sales, and pricing initiatives within chain accounts. for one of the top-ten largest craft breweries in the U.S. and one of the fastest-growing.• Cultivate and strengthen customer relationships, and set overall strategic direction with large national, regional, and local chain accounts to grow volume and improve market share; consistently meet and exceed sales and distribution goals.• Create and execute strategy to collectively sell 100,000 cases of beer and generate $2 million in sales annually of brands including All Day IPA, Centennial IPA, Porter, Rubaeus, Breakfast Stout, Solid Gold and other draft and seasonal brands.• Develop account plans and budgets for chain accounts including Harris Teeter, Lowe's Foods, Piggly Wiggly, Whole Foods SE, Circle K South East, Gulf Coast, & Coastal Carolinas, Spinx, QuikTrip, Marathon, Murphy Oil throughout the Southeast territory.• Conduct monthly meetings with buyers to sell-in new products, programs and promotional activities.• Maintain strong relationships and keep local wholesalers and local field sales personnel updated on IRI data, as the category leader in the region; built retailer relationships and review strategies to increase sales and profitability • Implement, manage, track execution and evaluate results of pricing, distribution, and space initiatives.• Prepare and present account reviews, and communicate activities effectively both internally and externally.

    • Belgium
    • Manufacturing
    • 700 & Above Employee
    • Key Account Manager
      • Sep 2017 - Aug 2018

      Promoted to lead key account sales and profitability growth initiatives for large format chains in the Western Region.• Led and managed business, promotions, sales, distribution, and new product introductions with Smart & Final, Whole Foods NorCal and Southern Pacific, Trader Joe’s California, Aldi, and Bristol Farms, selling more than 1 million cases across 500 stores.• Built and cultivated relationships, provided total account management, and oversaw retail partnerships; facilitated communications and seamlessly expanded business strategies between ABI, wholesalers, and key retailers to drive results.• Created custom distribution trackers for retailers and wholesalers to help close some distribution gaps. • Achieved pricing strategy wins at Smart & Final by aligning Stella Artois 12 & 24 pack pricing with the leading Mexican imports.• Grew Michelob ULTRA 51% YTD by expanding 24-pack distribution and innovative price strategy.

    • Trade Planning & Execution Manager
      • Dec 2014 - Sep 2017

      Managed retail, event, and partnership marketing opportunities in the Pacific region.• Created, communicated, and executed retail marketing efforts and trade programs designed to build sales and market share across all sales channels in on- and off-premise retail accounts.• As Point of Connection (POC) subject matter expert, developed the POC planning calendar and presented to wholesalers and Key Account Managers; tracked progress, identified gaps in planning, and created action plans to close gaps.• Executed and reported on display opportunities, king of distribution, and heavy trade programs.• Supported new product roll outs, and created informational decks for distribution to field personnel.

    • Key Account Manager
      • Apr 2014 - Dec 2014

      Managed the retail execution of strategic sales plans in off-premise accounts throughout Southern California.• Collaborated with District Sales Managers and Sales Representatives within the company-owned wholesaler to ensure successful execution of retail sales and marketing initiatives including building displays and securing distribution.• Developed and managed account plans and budgets for CVS and Food 4 Less for the Sylmar, Beach Cities, Pomona, and Riverside wholesale operations, and for 7-Eleven and Smart & Final for the Sylmar branch only. • Oversaw relationships with key accounts with a total of 356 retail locations selling 2.5+ million cases of beer annually.

    • District Sales Manager, On-Premise
      • Nov 2012 - Apr 2014

      Managed programs to maximize retail sales potential at on-premise accounts in the San Fernando Valley.• Oversaw a team of 6 Sales Representatives and 4 Contemporary Marketing Team Reps. and Brand Ambassadors to manage account-level objectives, execute trade calls, and implement promotional programs in on-premise accounts.• Built relationships with 766 accounts in the territory selling 350,000+ cases annually to drive sales through incremental placements, new product introductions, promotional activity, and effective pricing and merchandising strategy.• Coached, trained, mentored and conducted annual performance appraisals for Sales Representatives.

    • District Sales Manager, Off-Premise
      • Nov 2010 - Nov 2012

      Promoted to lead sales initiatives and provide guidance to sales representatives to increase sales and distribution.• Provided direction and leadership to 4 Sales Representatives selling 1 million+ cases annually to 138 off-premise retail accounts to ensure achievement of sales goals, and fulfillment of customer satisfaction objectives.• Developed, trained, motivated, reviewed and rewarded sales team to encourage professional growth, and to maximize all sales opportunities through one-on-one coaching sessions, “ride-withs”, “team sells” and daily communication.• Built relationships with key decision makers at off-premise chains including Ralphs, Vons, CVS, Vallarta, Walmart, 7-Eleven, Rite Aid and Albertsons through account calls, and development of programs to grow sales and profitability.

    • Sales Representative
      • 2008 - Nov 2010

      Promoted and relocated to manage sales route with on and off-premise accounts at company-owned distributorship.• Executed the sales process of the entire Anheuser-Busch beverage portfolio by providing the highest level of sales and service to 55 retail accounts in the highly competitive Burbank, California market area.• Built relationships and seized incremental sales opportunities at independent and chain retail accounts including Costco, Ralphs, CVS, Rite Aid, Vons, Albertsons, and PF Chang’s, Outback Steakhouse, and Olive Garden.• Drove sales growth through the promotion and distribution of new and existing products, incremental placements, new product introductions, promotional activity sell-in and effective merchandising strategy.

    • United States
    • Food and Beverage Services
    • 700 & Above Employee
    • Special Event Team Representative
      • 2007 - 2008

      Recruited to conduct on-premise marketing activities and promote Anheuser-Busch brands to contemporary adults.• Traveled extensively during one year assignment to organize and execute 22 special event promotional plans, working with local wholesalers to improve product placement and sell-through during high-profile events. • Influenced purchase intent and market share growth by interacting directly with consumers and retailers during on-premise promotional activities, product sampling and account merchandising.

    • Intern
      • 2006 - 2007

      Gained a broad understanding of wholesaler operations, working in every department while attending college for the independent distributor of Anheuser-Busch products serving the Columbia market.• Planned, organized and executed local special events, and participated in a project that increased sales in targeted accounts with 7 product placements, 9 promotional displays, and 5 permanent point-of-sale placements.• Assisted in the creation of the 2007 Market Plan, and entered plan details into BudNet reporting and tracking system.

    • United States
    • Events Services
    • 100 - 200 Employee
    • Contemporary Adult Marketing Intern
      • 2006 - 2007

      Recruited to develop and execute a college marketing plan to promote Anheuser-Busch products for a full-service, award winning experiential marketing and promotions company.• Selected as Contemporary Adult Intern by RedPeg Marketing for client Anheuser-Busch to report trends and develop ideas to connect with adult consumers for pilot marketing and promotional program.• Documented personal progress and activities while in the program, and used the experience as the focus of Senior Thesis for the University of South Carolina Honors College.

Education

  • University of South Carolina Honors College
    Bachelor of Science in Sports and Entertainment Management, Graduated Cum Laude
    -

Community

You need to have a working account to view this content. Click here to join now