Experience

Strack & Van Til

• Germany
• Retail Groceries
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director of Produce

  • Apr 2018 - Present

  Responsible for driving sales and profits for the Produce Department at Indiana Grocery Group's 23 stores (Strack & Van Til, and Town & Country Market). Decision maker for sourcing, pricing, advertising and merchandising. Responsible for driving sales and profits for the Produce Department at Indiana Grocery Group's 23 stores (Strack & Van Til, and Town & Country Market). Decision maker for sourcing, pricing, advertising and merchandising.



Bolthouse Farms

• United States
• Food and Beverage Services
• 500 - 600 Employee

• Systems Manager: Sales & Customer Management

  • Nov 2017 - Apr 2018

  Designed, analyzed and distributed reports for multiple departments at Bolthouse Farms and Garden Fresh Gourmet. Worked to find ways to increase sales and efficiencies and reduce costs and inventory levels.

• Regional Account Manager

  • Sep 2015 - Nov 2017

  Created daily, weekly and long term sales and promotional plans for customers ranging from independent and chain retailers to wholesalers in the Midwest, East Coast (US) and Canada. Product expert in carrots and juice/dressing lines.



Sun Belle LLC

• United States
• Food and Beverage Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Sales & Marketing

  • Feb 2015 - Sep 2015

  * Managed day to day and long term sales for retail customers. * Negotiated weekly and long term ad lids. * Communicated daily and seasonal supply status, primarily on blueberries, blackberries and raspberries. Also sold hot house tomatoes/peppers and specialty veg. * Worked with quality assurance team to ensure customers were receiving the highest quality product. * Arranged transportation for inbound and outbound product. * Managed day to day and long term sales for retail customers. * Negotiated weekly and long term ad lids. * Communicated daily and seasonal supply status, primarily on blueberries, blackberries and raspberries. Also sold hot house tomatoes/peppers and specialty veg. * Worked with quality assurance team to ensure customers were receiving the highest quality product. * Arranged transportation for inbound and outbound product.



ALDI USA

• United States
• Retail
• 700 & Above Employee

• Corporate Buying Manager - Produce

  • Sep 2013 - Feb 2015

  * Daily communication with suppliers of centrally purchased produce items to discuss supply, cost and forecasts. * Prepared Buying Director for commodity contract negotiations. Analyzed bid costs and measured supplier performance through various key performance indicators. * Designed section plan-o-grams. * Worked with suppliers to redesign "display ready" cartons to ensure cleaner look on shelf. * Created QA specifications for new test items and updated existing specs to match USDA.



Jewel-Osco

• United States
• Retail
• 700 & Above Employee

• Produce Buyer

  • Apr 2011 - Sep 2013

  • Fulfilled store orders and managed inventory levels to deliver the freshest possible product to Jewel-Osco "FarmStand" departments and their customers.• Worked with growers/suppliers to gather market intelligence for ad-planning and spot-buy promotional opportunities.• Negotiated with growers/shippers and vendors to create mutually beneficial business relationships.• Acted as Jewel's presence on the local terminal market to take advantage of local buy opportunities.• Expanded selections of Organic Produce in Jewel's produce departments.• Coordinator of "spot buy" activity within the procurement team to offer incremental sales and profit opportunities to our stores.• Proficient in iTradeNetwork procurement systems.• Categories: Grapes, Apples, Citrus, Mushrooms, Avocadoes, Pineapples, Mangoes, Melons, Western Veg, Blueberries, Papayas, Hot House and Field Tomatoes, Organic Fruit and Vegetables, Hot House and Ethnic/Hot Peppers, Ethnic Produce and Specialty Produce.

• Store Set Up Coordinator

  • Oct 2010 - Apr 2011

  • Organized, planned and supervised the merchandising of remodel stores and other special projects for Jewel-Osco.• Maintained constant communication with Vendor teams, Store teams and Merchandising and Construction teams at Banner and Corporate levels to ensure proper execution of all projects.• Implemented Banner plans to re-merchandise Jewel-Osco's general merchandise and OTC departments in 60 locations. Plans were designed to improve space allocation, increase assortment in key categories and grow sales and profitability.

• Assistant Sales & Merchandising Manager: Produce

  • Mar 2010 - Oct 2010

  • Assisted Sales & Merchandising Manager in creating exciting weekly ads and promotional programs designed to increase sales and profit for a department with over $500mm in annual sales.• Created promotional programs for commodity based categories to supplement advertised and vendor supplied promotions. Created rotational and seasonal promotions within categories to encourage consumer trial and build sales across all categories.• Supervised special projects designed to increase sales and positive price image while reducing shrink in 2 opportunity stores.• Worked closely with Produce Operations Specialists to ensure execution of promotional and everyday programs.• Coordinated "spot-buy" opportunities with local and national procurement teams which allowed stores to enhance price image while building incremental sales.

• Produce Buyer

  • Oct 2009 - Mar 2010

  • Maintained high service level to stores while keeping inventory levels at or below targeted goals.• Worked with local suppliers and corporate field buyers to deliver the highest quality produce with the best possible cost of goods.• Categories included Apples, Citrus, Mushrooms, Avocados, Melons and all Tropical Fruit.

• Assistant Sales & Merchandising Manager: Produce

  • Mar 2009 - Oct 2009

  • Assisted Banner Merchandising team during corporate centralization process.• Ensured Banner execution of corporate promotional and ad programs.• Supplemented weekly ad programs provided by corporate merchandising to bridge sales and margin opportunities.

• Assistant Store Director

  • Mar 2008 - Mar 2009

  • Accountable for store performance on profit and loss, inventory, payroll and execution of merchandising plans.• Supervised approximately 150 associates at each of 2 different Jewel-Osco locations.

• Produce Operations Specialist

  • Jun 2006 - Mar 2008

  • Responsible for produce departments of 68 stores.• Communicated and enacted execution of promotional and merchandising programs.• Designed and executed plans for stores with margin and shrink challenges.• Liaison between Produce Merchandising and Store Operations.

• Produce Departmant Manager

  • Feb 2000 - Jun 2006

  • Managed day to day operations of the produce department in five different stores.• Grew Produce sales in one store while increasing Gross Profit and reducing shrink by 700 basis points over a 5 month period.• Team leader for chain-wide produce re-merchandising project. Assisted in the design of new layouts for multiple sections.

• Trainee/Produce Assistant Manager

  • Aug 1998 - Feb 2000

• Part time produce clerk

  • Oct 1987 - Aug 1998