Experience

Coolicon Lighting Limited

• United Kingdom
• Design Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Commercial Director

  • Mar 2019 - Present

  Driving our distributer and retail footprint worldwide. Formulating and implementing an ambitious expansion strategy with a strong focus on grant support for NPD and export. Driving our distributer and retail footprint worldwide. Formulating and implementing an ambitious expansion strategy with a strong focus on grant support for NPD and export.



STOATS PORRIDGE BARS LIMITED

• United Kingdom
• Consumer Goods
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Head of Sales

  • Feb 2017 - May 2018

  As part of the senior team I was responsibility for formulation and implementation of the Stoats sales strategy across retail multiples, discounters, customer own brand, wholesale, foodservice, facia groups and export, with 2 direct reports. Working closely with buying and merchandising teams, NPD and supply chains whilst forensically interpreting customer and third party category data (Kantar etc.), I delivered 88% category growth within one year. Achieving all major multiple budgets, both in terms of turnover and profitability, this included a doubling of our UK major multiple core listings. I nurtured a new close relationship with Aldi, establishing Stoats as a strategic partner for “oats”, highlights of which included a new PL range across three categories, delivering a 500% increase in year one revenues.



Simon Howie Foods

• United Kingdom
• Food and Beverage Manufacturing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• UK National Sales Manager

  • Nov 2014 - Feb 2017

  Created and implemented the sales strategy including all NPD into major multiples (Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons, Waitrose, Co-op and Aldi). I worked cross functionally within the business to deliver day 1 for day 1 order fulfilment, with market leading standards of performance. By implementing best in class category insight and superlative year round customer service we delivered substantial Y.O.Y growth and established Simon Howie firmly out with its Scottish heartland. My successful Haggis rebrand and NPD programme produced significant immediate results including • Establishing Simon Howie as the world’s bestselling retail haggis within two years (from 3rd IRI 52wks) across all SKU sizes and recipes Outselling No2 brand by 2 to 1 (Core 454g) • UK’s bestselling Bacon Brand (1/3 market) • Scotland’s bestselling premium sausage brand



Dawnfresh Seafoods Ltd

• United Kingdom
• Food and Beverage Manufacturing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Commercial Manager

  • Feb 2013 - Nov 2014

  Responsible for all sales and commercial activity for Dawnfresh’s two brands: RR Spink & Sons and Marinades of Scotland (MoS). This included launching the RR.Spink & Sons brand into UK fine food & restaurants as well as bringing MoS performance into profit. • Delivered profit for MoS, following loss of £100k in previous year • Initiated, managed and delivered rebrand of MoS, delivering supermarket & wholesale channels (13% profit increase y.o.y) • Became Compass accredited supplier within 1 month of launch of foodservice portfolio, including as key smoked fish provider for the Ryder Cup • Delivered nationwide foodservice, fine dining and delicatessen third party distribution channels in line with company 3 year plan, including Direct Seafoods • Successfully coordinated purchasing, production marketing and accounting across three sites for both brands



Equal Exchange

• United States
• Food & Beverages
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Sales Director

  • Aug 2005 - Jan 2013

  Responsible for all sales and marketing activity to multiples, UK wholesale, export and commodity trading, including, NPD, forecasting and brand strategy. • Opened and managed multiple retail sales channels for first time in company history, developing and launching the world’s first Palestinian food produce to major multiples (Sainsbury, Cooperative, Booths, Waitrose) • Doubling of wholesale distributers to include Scandinavia and Benelux • 80% volumes increase Y.O.Y Sainsbury, fastest growing SKU in category • Complete award winning corporate re-brand of all 80 SKUs, corporate communications & Electronic Media, which delivered 14% volume growth in a declining (-11%) core market in first 6 months. • Awarded “Gold” for Design Effectiveness at 2009 Design Business Association • Created brand new Organic and Fairtrade product categories, including ingredients and nut butters, resulting in major multiple and wholesale listings



Lightbody of Hamilton

• Hamilton

• New Business Development Manager

  • Sep 2003 - Aug 2004

  Responsible for developing new business opportunities within all business sectors. • Achieved 5 SKUs being listed in Tesco and Waitrose, the first listings with these organisations • £3m on projected first year turnover (300% over budget) • Efficiently audited Lightbody factory capacities to highlight potential profitable NPD opportunities, reviewed routes to market, customer buying behaviour and consumer fit to highlight potential customers. Responsible for developing new business opportunities within all business sectors. • Achieved 5 SKUs being listed in Tesco and Waitrose, the first listings with these organisations • £3m on projected first year turnover (300% over budget) • Efficiently audited Lightbody factory capacities to highlight potential profitable NPD opportunities, reviewed routes to market, customer buying behaviour and consumer fit to highlight potential customers.



THE JACOB'S BAKERY LIMITED

• Channel Sales Manager

  • Feb 2001 - Sep 2003

  Responsibility for profit and loss of the Foodservice budget of £10m, with full accountability for strategy, promotional plans and staff (3 NAMS & field)

• National Account Manager

  • Aug 1998 - Feb 2001

  Responsible for the development of business plans for leisure and travel sectors. • In first year in foodservice, exceeded budget by 7% in a declining market.• 30% increase year on year within 2nd year, highest in the sector