Experience

Oakes Farms, Seed to Table

• United States
• Retail
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Vice President Business Development

  • May 2023 - Present



Atalanta Corporation

• United States
• Wholesale Import and Export
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Vice President Retail Sales

  • May 2021 - Present

  Responsible for leading the national retail sales team, customer service and field merchandising team (currently 32 team members) towards the achievement of sales goals ($176m), achieved budgeted gross profit, and grow market share. Responsible for building customer relationships. Manage the strategic direction for and provide leadership to Atalanta Consumer Brand's sales, operations, and administrative functions, ensuring efficient sales processes resulting in reduced selling costs… Show more Responsible for leading the national retail sales team, customer service and field merchandising team (currently 32 team members) towards the achievement of sales goals ($176m), achieved budgeted gross profit, and grow market share. Responsible for building customer relationships. Manage the strategic direction for and provide leadership to Atalanta Consumer Brand's sales, operations, and administrative functions, ensuring efficient sales processes resulting in reduced selling costs, promotional forecast accuracy, trade efficiency, and excess inventory reduction. • 2022 Sales of $176m 8.4% growth YOY with prior years growth of 20.2% and 5% respectively. Achieved growth through new product launches, PL sales growth, new customer acquisition and M&A distribution. • Partnered cross collaboratively on new brand launch of Table One which covered the cheese, meat, grocery, club and foodservice categories accounting for 65 unique products and hitting $4.5m in sales in year one. • Developed and built the Cross Dock Distribution Service as a customer solution, now operating in 3 distribution centers and servicing over 20 customers. • Developed and implemented tools for customer demand forecast process to improve accuracy and service levels of 96.5% (3% increase) (inputs: promotional info, new and discontinued items, etc.) • Lead the national field merchandising team to create and support key customers promotional programs, as well as store grand openings resulting in ACV growth of 10% • Built and managed broker network to build sales in regions and segments where direct employee coverage was not present resulting in incremental $3.75m in sales through our distributor network. • Develop and execute trade spend budgets for all retail customers maintaining the customer set budget of 15% ensuring that all unique customer needs were met.

• Executive Director Retail Sales

  • Mar 2019 - May 2021

• Director Of Retail Sales

  • Feb 2017 - May 2021



Victoria Fine Foods

• Food and Beverage Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• East Coast Sales

  • Jul 2016 - Feb 2017

  Promoted to lead all east coast retailers including national retailers based east of the Mississippi accounting for 66% of total annual sales. Responsible for building and executing sales strategies and plans in the East Coast Region to hit all budget goals • Played integral role in significant strategic company initiative to transition the business from a DSD (direct-store-delivery) model to a distributor model increasing operational efficiency, customer service efficiencies, increased… Show more Promoted to lead all east coast retailers including national retailers based east of the Mississippi accounting for 66% of total annual sales. Responsible for building and executing sales strategies and plans in the East Coast Region to hit all budget goals • Played integral role in significant strategic company initiative to transition the business from a DSD (direct-store-delivery) model to a distributor model increasing operational efficiency, customer service efficiencies, increased service level and frequency to the customer and improved cash flow. • Managed and executed aggressive trade spend budget of 22% to ensure annual gross margin targets were met while exceeding the top line sales budget utilizing custom metrics for all key customers and distributors. • Led the annual forecasting initiative and strategic customer planning leading to improved forecast accuracy. • Played key business leadership role with the Acosta and NS Sales Broker network to ensure aggressive ACV targets were met resulting in profitable sales growth. • Introduced and ensured speed to market of new line of product made with a unique avocado oil targeting the health and wellness trends in the marketplace leading to incremental company revenue. • Liaison in conjunction with the EVP of Sales to the Private Equity firm on quarterly performance and forecasting, guiding the direction and pivots needed to reach the annual ACV and budget goals. • Innovated and executed on all major Trade Shows (Fancy Food, Expo, Distributor) to include booth development, sampling, marketing collateral and staffing driving business development with new customers and prospects.

• Northeast Regional Sales Manager

  • May 2015 - Jul 2016



Natural Markets Food Group

• Food & Beverages
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Senior Category Manager Perishables

  • Nov 2013 - Apr 2015

  Direct Responsibility for all Perishable Departments including Meat, Seafood, Deli, Bakery and Produce in both the retail locations as well as foodservice establishments Responsible for 55% of total company annual sales. Full P&L responsibility including period perishable inventory, shrink management, sales, profits and expenses. Directed a team of Category Managers, Buyers and Administrators for the Perishable Departments. • Managed the development of all perishable departments in a… Show more Direct Responsibility for all Perishable Departments including Meat, Seafood, Deli, Bakery and Produce in both the retail locations as well as foodservice establishments Responsible for 55% of total company annual sales. Full P&L responsibility including period perishable inventory, shrink management, sales, profits and expenses. Directed a team of Category Managers, Buyers and Administrators for the Perishable Departments. • Managed the development of all perishable departments in a startup environment with aggressive growth strategy including remodeling of all existing facilities and construction of 10 new retail and foodservice facilities • Directed all aspects of product development and implementation launching new programs of butcher shop departments with meat cutters, seafood departments with sustainably sourced product, fully organic produce departments, full-service delis with all natural prepared food selections and specialty cheese departments with a cheese monger host. • Directed marketing including in-store signage, circular, direct mail and geo targeted digital. Projects resulted in increased foot traffic in the stores and restaurants and incremental sales.

• Category Manager

  • May 2013 - Nov 2013



Duane Reade

• Retail
• 700 & Above Employee

• Category Manager

  • Jun 2011 - May 2013

  Category Manager Consumables Managed revenue and overall profits and losses (P&L) for assigned categories and developing the customer centric strategic plan for each category. Developed, designed and operationally managed all new concepts including coffee bars, sushi bars, chopped salad bars, juice bars and self-serve prepared foods. Category Manager Consumables Managed revenue and overall profits and losses (P&L) for assigned categories and developing the customer centric strategic plan for each category. Developed, designed and operationally managed all new concepts including coffee bars, sushi bars, chopped salad bars, juice bars and self-serve prepared foods.



D Squared Investments Incs.

• President

  • May 2008 - Jun 2011

  Marketed and retailed full range of residential and commercial flooring products. Facilitated profitable growth via supply chain management and decisive vendor sourcing. Managed hiring, training, scheduling, and all operational management of staff (8 employees), including development of internal policies, procedures and training materials. Efficiently managed administrative/financial/accounting functions, purchasing, and product/service supplier relations. Marketed and retailed full range of residential and commercial flooring products. Facilitated profitable growth via supply chain management and decisive vendor sourcing. Managed hiring, training, scheduling, and all operational management of staff (8 employees), including development of internal policies, procedures and training materials. Efficiently managed administrative/financial/accounting functions, purchasing, and product/service supplier relations.



BI-LO

• Retail Groceries
• 700 & Above Employee

• Category Manager

  • Jan 2006 - 2008

  Manage $77M category to meet or exceed P&L and sales targets. Oversee category budgeting, including inventory turn, store shrink, and weekly circular. Bolster annual category strategies by preparing business plans. Develop initiatives to enhance processes in areas including buying, inventory management, product assortment, pricing, shelf displays, and promotions. Devise and deploy marketing programs such as point-of-sale and direct mail programs in collaboration with marketing team and… Show more Manage $77M category to meet or exceed P&L and sales targets. Oversee category budgeting, including inventory turn, store shrink, and weekly circular. Bolster annual category strategies by preparing business plans. Develop initiatives to enhance processes in areas including buying, inventory management, product assortment, pricing, shelf displays, and promotions. Devise and deploy marketing programs such as point-of-sale and direct mail programs in collaboration with marketing team and external ad agency. Cultivate strong relationships with 3rd party distributor, vendors, and internal store managers to maximize performance and satisfy budgetary objectives. Optimize customer experiences and resolve customer concerns. Leverage expertise on OMI and Chaintrack HQ buying and pricing systems improve efficiency. Supervise 2 direct reports. Generated projected annual revenues of $1M by devising and implementing J.J. Poloi's in-store coffee kiosk concept (similar to Starbuck's), presently deployed in 11 stores. Enhanced revenues a projected $2M in 1 year by creating a Home Meal Replacement product that combines main courses with sides and deserts in a ready-to-eat presentation. Spurred potential optimization of production and a decrease in store shrink by researching software solutions to enable stores to adopt food service establishment management methods.

• Merchandiser

  • 2005 - 2006

  Compiled budget and performance figures for $89M category, including sales, profits, store shrink, and vendor report. Created business plans in cooperation with category manager. Prepared weekly ads and financial data for delivery to senior management. Cultivated relationships with vendors and negotiated agreements on price points, costs, and funding. Contributed to maximization of incremental sales through participation in development of seasonal marketing initiatives and programs to stock… Show more Compiled budget and performance figures for $89M category, including sales, profits, store shrink, and vendor report. Created business plans in cooperation with category manager. Prepared weekly ads and financial data for delivery to senior management. Cultivated relationships with vendors and negotiated agreements on price points, costs, and funding. Contributed to maximization of incremental sales through participation in development of seasonal marketing initiatives and programs to stock seasonal products. Enhanced holiday sales 15% ($45,000) by devising and deploying a holiday nut promotion featuring a new display format that maximized display space efficiency. Improved employee morale, brand image, and customer loyalty while facilitating the construction of 3 homes through Habitat for Humanity by bolstering a produce partner sales program that enabled discount purchases of donated food and allocation of proceeds to charity. Increased incremental volume by advising establishment of a program to market exotic fruit products, providing customers with unique items not typically found in supermarkets. Earned vendor award for outstanding contribution to a joint Radio Disney promotion.



Stop & Shop Supermarkets

• Specialty Food Buyer / Merchandiser

  • 2004 - 2005

  Drove growth in specialty foods in collaboration with center store category managers. Advised on and implemented product assortment programs. Analyzed national industry trends. Prepared display plans and aligned category resets in collaboration with space planning team. Conducted internal product reviews at store locations and performed analysis of competitors' offerings to maintain optimal product selection. Developed vendor relationships and negotiated agreements on pricing, costs… Show more Drove growth in specialty foods in collaboration with center store category managers. Advised on and implemented product assortment programs. Analyzed national industry trends. Prepared display plans and aligned category resets in collaboration with space planning team. Conducted internal product reviews at store locations and performed analysis of competitors' offerings to maintain optimal product selection. Developed vendor relationships and negotiated agreements on pricing, costs, advertisements, and seasonal initiatives. Enhanced specialty food sales by establishing and implementing an initiative for 150 stores to display specialty products in the mass display area more commonly reserved for major vendors such as Kraft Foods and Proctor & Gamble. Ensured position at forefront of new product launches by participating in trade shows. Increased diversity within AHOLD (parent company) by contributing to diversity vendor business initiatives.

• Assistant Buyer

  • 2004 - 2004

  Managed beverage inventory turn to achieve annual objective of 32 turns with 96% service level. Oversaw promotional ordering to maintain 100% service level. Directed buying for 4 warehouses. Maximized efficiency by coordinating deliveries and warehouse schedules with vendors and internal logistics. Trained new colleagues. Decreased costs and streamlined warehouse operations by creating DSD shipments program for promotional water sales at larger stores. Facilitated Giant-Landover… Show more Managed beverage inventory turn to achieve annual objective of 32 turns with 96% service level. Oversaw promotional ordering to maintain 100% service level. Directed buying for 4 warehouses. Maximized efficiency by coordinating deliveries and warehouse schedules with vendors and internal logistics. Trained new colleagues. Decreased costs and streamlined warehouse operations by creating DSD shipments program for promotional water sales at larger stores. Facilitated Giant-Landover integration by aligning turn and promotional buying for both entities and by preparing systems for assumption of Giant-Landover vendor relationships.

• Customer Service Manager

  • 2003 - 2004

  2004) Oversaw programs and personnel to maximize customer satisfaction. Managed front-end operations, including cashiers, the cash room, and the customer service desk. Directed diversity and community relations initiatives. Hired and supervised employees. Improved team performance by providing training and development. Resolved customer concerns.