Sales Account Manager

• Oct 2021 - Present

Category Manager - Beverages & Convenience Retailing

• Jan 2018 - Oct 2021

• Exceeded budgeted Beverage Sales and Margin$. Was able to achieve these results by determining and maintaining an optimal product mix and by building strong vendor relationship and working together on a plan that was mutually beneficial.• Built and presented Category plans to different areas of the business. Plans included Category Trends, Market data and Pos results to determine key areas of focus. Category plans have led to market share gains vs the C&G category.• Negotiated an EDLP strategy within key Beverage segments. Brands on EDLP are showing +22% increase in Sales and +28% increase in Margin$.• Became a Brand Champion representing the convenience retailing team as part of a cross-functional group. Shared new concepts and best practices with colleagues, which helped build brand momentum.• Represented the Category Management team at NACS in Atlanta to gain a better understanding of the current landscape, latest trends and innovation. Delivered $4.8M in Beverage innovation Sales for 2020.• Completed “Situational Coaching & Leadership” courses to help develop Leadership skills. Coached and mentored Category specialist to a leadership position.• On an annual basis, presented an Energy case study to first year Ryerson students enabling them to practice and apply their knowledge and skill to analyze a real-life issue and offer feasible recommendations.

Business Development Manager

• Jan 2016 - Dec 2017

• Accountable for variety of Brands channeling over Grocery, Drug, and Convenience.• Presents new products and services to enhance existing relationships; • Forecasts sales targets and ensures their achievement.• Builds key customer relationships, identifies business opportunities, and maintains extensive knowledge of current market conditions.• Responsible for all negotiations relating to yearly contracts, new product listings, promotions, as well as solutions that meet or predict the clients’ future needs.• Closely aligned with the internal team, marketing staff, and other managers to increase sales opportunities, in order to maximize revenue for the organization by managing existing clients and ensuring they stay satisfied and positive.

Senior Category Manager

• Jul 2005 - Apr 2015

Delivered budgeted Sales and Margin$ growth in key OTC Categories. Developed category strategy plans which analyzed Market & POS data, consumer insights and built strong merchandising and promotional strategy. Executed promotional displays to support vendor themed events.Accountabilities included contract negotiations, ad planning, pricing negotiation, planogram execution, listing and delisting of product. Negotiated and enhanced 70% of the OTC contracts which included over $400K in billable revenue, achieved by fostering strong relationship with vendor community.Presented annual Category reviews detailing pricing/merchandising/marketing strategies based on market trends using AC Neilson and Point of Sale (POS) data. Category strategy led to market share gains in 9 out of 10 categories latest 12 & 52 weeks vs Drug Channel.Effectively used AC Neilson and POS data to capitalize and identify opportunities to enhance category growth. Launched +500 sku’s during vitamin category re-invention. Development index increased to +121 Basis points vs Drug.Listed and delisted product based on detailed analysis of product profitability using various database queries. Focused on revitalizing/developing important segments that presented the largest $ opportunities. Post planogram results increased revenues +50% to +350%.Mentored and developed 4 staff from Assistant to Category Manager. Led and motivated team by scheduling weekly informal meetings, providing feedback and growth opportunities which led to promotions.Developed short and long term plans in line with Rexall’s “Pharmacy First Position”. Initiated a monthly pharmacy counter display program that assisted consumers in locating products, simplified merchandising, provided competitive pricing and introduced education themed events. Delivered annual sales growth of 91%.

Product Development Manager

• 2008 - 2009

Accountable for the development of Private Label products. Negotiated costs, developed product rationale and artwork design. By using AC Nielson canned reports closed gap vs Drug category 90 Basis points.Launched a Category Summary report detailing Private label opportunities. Report also outlined existing National Brand Equivalent sku’s and identified areas of opportunity going forward. As a result, closed a $6MM gap vs the Drug Channel.Launched new items and developed compare n’ save signage which increased PL penetration from 14.2% to 15.1%.Transitioned +100 Rexall sku’s in the Vitamin and Herbal sections. Identified gap in the assortment and improved packaging changes which increased Private Label penetration +390 Basis points.Managed one direct report: Category Coordinator. Conducted weekly informal meetings and job shadowing opportunities which led to Category Manager promotion.

Category Manager

• Jun 2004 - Jul 2005

Category Manager – Pharmacy (OTC)June 2004 – July 2005Responsible for the performance and growth of 10 categories (200 million in sales), included but not limited to vendor meetings, pricing negotiation, ads, listing and delisting of product.Negotiated contracts with suppliers to generate O&A money for listings, new items & tributes.

Junior Category Manager (OTC)

• Jan 2003 - Jun 2004

Developed a new retail pricing system to coincide with new costing structureCreated, produced, analyzed and interpreted Weekly and Adhoc reportsPresented fact based recommendations & action plans to the Category Manager on issues such as, but not limited to, Advertising Success, and Product Assortment, Displayer/DRP sell through, Market Conditions, Product Layouts, Consumer Insights, etc.

Business Manager – Household/Confectionary

• Jan 2003 - Apr 2003

(3 month maternity leave contract)

Category Pricing Analyst/Planogram Specialist

• May 1999 - Jan 2003

Purchasing Assistant – Frozen and Dairy Food

• Jan 1997 - May 1999