Experience

Hess Persson Estates

• United States
• Beverage Manufacturing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director of National Accounts

  • Jun 2021 - Present



The J.M. Smucker Co.

• United States
• Manufacturing
• 700 & Above Employee

• National Account Manager

  • Jan 2020 - May 2021

  Serve as sales lead for the pet food business unit to drive profitable sales growth for Smucker and Kroger at 2,700+ stores nationwide for a leading consumer products company with a diverse portfolio of iconic food brands for people and pets. • Develop and execute strategy to drive brand/category growth and achieve or exceed sales and profit goals with major account Kroger for the pet food portfolio including Milk-Bone®, Meow Mix®, Rachael Ray® Nutrish® and Nature's Recipe®. • Provide leadership and direction to a Key Account Manager, and indirectly manage a Sales Analyst and Category Manager. • Grow partnership between customer and internal cross-functional teams to drive innovation and business opportunities. • Own and lead negotiation for joint business planning, new items, key initiatives, etc. with Kroger. • Effectively manage trade budget and distribution, shelving, merchandising, and pricing objectives. • Forecast monthly and quarterly sales and communicate internally for production planning. • Support and partner with Supply Chain team to drive solutions at Kroger; work with broker to implement retail priorities. Show less



Tillamook County Creamery Association

• United States
• Food and Beverage Manufacturing
• 400 - 500 Employee

• National Account Manager

  • Jun 2018 - Jan 2020

  Managed overall strategy and execution of the business plan for total Kroger, including trade spending, forecasting and assortment for a farmer-owned cooperative which produces best tasting, highest quality dairy products made in the most natural way possible. • Delivered revenue & share objectives, pursued business strategies to grow TCCA brands through customer-specific programs. • Provided category management expertise to the customer, ensured that coordinated cross-functional sales value was delivered to the customer through implementation of the overall sales plan. • Planned and executed regional and channel priorities: product rollouts, MAPS objectives, promotion campaigns, trade shows. • Segmented customers based on growth, market share, profitability and strategic relationships to optimize TCCA resources to drive growth; developed market analysis understanding current opportunities and implemented existing TCCA strategies. Show less



Brown-Forman

• United States
• Beverage Manufacturing
• 700 & Above Employee

• Team Lead / National Account Manager, Kroger

  • Apr 2007 - Jun 2018

  Managed the development and implementation of business plans for the entire Kroger chain for one of the largest American-owned spirits and wine companies with a global portfolio of more than 25 brands. • Oversaw all aspects of the relationship with Kroger with 2,500 stores nationwide, including setting and executing the corporate strategic plan for sales, marketing, and category management initiatives, with a focus on seizing competitive opportunities. • Served as main point of contact with Kroger key decision makers, representing Brown-Forman’s product portfolio with brands including Jack Daniel’s, Woodford Reserve, Herradura, El Jimador, Old Forester, Korbel, and Sonoma-Cutrer. • Maintained full P&L responsibility for the Kroger account, and effectively managed a trade marketing budget to ensure strategic alignment with brand and customer strategies to drive financial and volume targets. • Built relationships with leaders at corporate headquarters, Kroger divisions, and the Roundy’s Supermarket chain. • Worked with four major distributors representing 80% of the Kroger business to ensure customer sales and service satisfaction. • Led collaborative management to accomplish Kroger account goals with three Key Account Managers, two Off-Premise State Managers, and three Divisional Retail Managers who called on Kroger divisions and four major distribution partners. • Selected as the North America Region leader for the Advancement of Women at Brown-Forman. • Appointed as the B-F Company Ambassador and Cincinnati Region Secretary for the Network of Executive Women (NEW); Region of the Year (2016); Public Relations (P.R.) Committee Chair and recognized for outstanding excellence in P.R in 2014. Show less



Energizer Holdings

• United States
• Manufacturing
• 700 & Above Employee

• Key Customer Manager, Kroger Team Lead

  • 2004 - 2007

  Cultivated and strengthened relationships and managed business with Kroger to deliver sales and profitability targets for one of the world's largest manufacturers of primary batteries and portable lighting products. • Ensured the availability of Energizer batteries and flashlights at Kroger stores nationwide in alignment with brand strategy and an emphasis on superior new product or package execution to generate $20 million in annual sales revenue. • Maximized market share, sales, and profits through price optimization to maintain competitive positioning. • Achieved quota bonus every year in position; increased 2005 sales by 13% on base business. • Utilized leading edge data, metrics, and consumer trends to develop strategy and create a new in-store shopper format. • Led and directed a Broker Business Manager and Analyst; managed a full service broker with 13 points of contact. • First in account to conduct meetings with Vice President of General Merchandise. Show less



Bush Brothers & Company

• Food and Beverage Manufacturing
• 200 - 300 Employee

• National Account and Business Development Manager

  • 2002 - 2004

  Developed and led strategic plans to achieve sales and profitability goals for the $25 million Kroger account for a family-owned corporation best known for its Bush’s Best brand canned baked beans, generating a 60% U.S. market share. • Managed sales opportunities, and drove brand growth of a diverse product line with a category leading portfolio of products to achieve annual revenue, margin, market share and volume plans for the Kroger account. • Conducted top-to-top meetings with Kroger leaders, and ensured customer commitments were met or exceeded; first in company to gain new item distribution through conducting meeting with Vice President. • Led and directed three Broker Business Managers located in Cincinnati, OH; Los Angeles, CA; and Portland, OR; directly managed a full-service broker with 18 points of contact. • Achieved quota bonus every year; increased sales by 24% in 2004 through category management and strategic planning. Show less



Polaroid

• Netherlands
• Photography
• 300 - 400 Employee

• Senior Sales Manager

  • 1998 - 2002

  Hired to manage relationships and generate new and incremental business with food class of trade accounts in the Midwest for a trusted global brand best known for pioneering instant photography. • Executed sales, merchandising, and customer service functions with Kroger, Supervalu, and 30 other Midwest accounts which collectively generated $11 million in annual sales; managed 15 brokers and two national broker teams. • Sold film and cameras at the retail level in alignment with national / regional priorities and targets; implemented promotions to gain point-of-sale placement and share of shelf space to effectively merchandise products. • Achieved quota bonus every year; increased Kroger’s business by 20% in 2000; recognized as Outstanding Achiever in 1998. • Elected by Director of National Accounts to participate on the CEO Advisory Board. Show less



Kraft Heinz

• United States
• Food and Beverage Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• National Account Manager, Starkist Seafood Division

  • 1995 - 1998

  Recruited to drive the selling, merchandising, and distribution efforts at non-grocery National Accounts for a leading national brand that provides trusted, healthy, and shelf-stable seafood products including America’s favorite tuna. • Developed and cultivated specialty markets (non-food class of trade business), and built strong relationships to engage with key decision makers at Target, Walgreen’s, K-mart, convenience stores, vending and other national non-food accounts. • Gained tuna distribution in the Target Pantry store by utilizing selling tools and market information to capitalize on the new store format; increased K-Mart business 54% in 1996 by increasing distribution and promotional support. • Recognized for outstanding sales performance; attained 100%+ of quota and maxed out bonus in 1995 and 1996. • Maximized growth potential, and developed/executed business plans, customer assessments, and retail opportunities. Show less



Playtex Products

• Manufacturing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• • 1989 - 1995

  Oversaw relationships and managed business with top five regional accounts after managing 15 key accounts following relocation for a leading producer of personal care items for the family.• Led division in New Item introductions & distribution of personal care items. responsible for all aspects of account management.

• • 1987 - 1989

  Recruited to call on 300 retail stores in the Dayton Market, and promoted to sales trainer representatives within 15 months.• Developed and trained four Sales Representatives while managing 15 local accounts.



Lazarus, Federated Department Stores

• Dayton, Ohio Area

• Sales Manager

  • 1986 - 1987

  Hired to manage the Jewelry and Accessory department; trained and developed 15 sales associates to exceed goals by 20% at a regional department store chain operating primarily in the U.S. Midwest with an influential role in the American retail industry. • Created and implemented floor merchandising plans; recognized as Lazarus Superior Customer Service Award winner. Hired to manage the Jewelry and Accessory department; trained and developed 15 sales associates to exceed goals by 20% at a regional department store chain operating primarily in the U.S. Midwest with an influential role in the American retail industry. • Created and implemented floor merchandising plans; recognized as Lazarus Superior Customer Service Award winner.