Experience

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  Aimia Foods Ltd

  • United Kingdom
  • Food and Beverage Services
  • 100 - 200 Employee

  • International Business Manager

    • Aug 2022 - Present

    My role as International Business Manager is to manage and develop our export business within a portfolio of existing international customers whilst identifying and implementing optimum routes to grow Horlicks, Drink me Chai and our other Aimia Brands in existing and new territories through the use of distributor partners / agents. My geographic territory is primarily focussed on US, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Europe and Middle East, however I am open and interested to discuss and look at exploring new territories and markets where geographically permissible for our brands and products. Aimia Foods is a leading food and beverage supplier, who delight in developing, manufacturing and distributing some of Britain's much loved brands. As a business we are keen to ensure we add value to a category and provide innovative new product solutions.

  • Senior National Account Manager Wholesale & End User Development

    • Oct 2017 - Aug 2022

    Primary responsibility is for the strategic management and development of our end user account base aligned to the corporate brand and product strategy, utilising a team of people across the business to deliver year on year business growth.Direct account responsibility for Booker, BRP, Bunzl and Hancock’s (wholesale sector); Compass and Sodexo (contract caterer). Costa, Caffe Nero, JD Wetherspoons, Tim Hortons, Bourne Leisure and Five Guys as well as additional National Account clients (end user).A diverse product portfolio of own label and branded products is presented and/or created under own label working to clients briefs; whilst working with the end user to bring the products they want / require / agree to use to market via their wholesaler RTM, via a core or nominated product process.Oversee two direct reports who manage our cost sector and profit sector account portfolio of business across schools, universities, NHS and care homes, national and regional contract caterers as well as pub groups, hotel chains, QSR restaurants and cafes.Focus is given to researching and finding new business opportunities and unlocking new brand partners for own label / branded projects, where multi-channel revenue streams are being sourced outside of core business i.e. High street coffee shop OL hot chocolate into retail channel.• P&L Account portfolio responsibility • Strategy planning for area undertaken and delivered aligned to the overall corporate strategic plan• New business prioritisation and delivery in new identified sectors • Account review and JBP planning for accounts• CRM management• Contact strategy planning with trade marketing team – traditional and digital media formats • Territory and account management prioritisation guidance for team/product/brands.

  • Senior National Account Manager Cash & Carry and Convenience Retail

    • Oct 2015 - Oct 2017

    Primary responsibility was the strategic management of the cash & carry and convenience retail channel. Direct account responsibility for Costco, Booker, Bestway, Palmer & Harvey, Spar and Nisa; with head office responsibility for Confex, Sugro and Landmark. Oversee two direct reports who managed the regional cash and carry business and convenience groups, petrol forecourt business and conducted store visits for Spar, Nisa Budgens and Londis. Core objective to maintain existing SKU’s in category and gain new product listings to drive incremental and new category growth using various promotional mechanics, JBP’s and levers available to build the branded / own label business. Focus to drive new business opportunities and develop these aligned to the core corporate strategy across the portfolio of products available. • P&L Account portfolio responsibility c. £6m • Strategic planning aligned to deliver against overall annual budget • Account planning and territory management and prioritisation of business 80/20 • Accurate record keeping and CRM Management to ensure contact strategy adhered to.

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  The Little Big Food Company

  • Beverley, East Yorkshire

  • UK Group Sales & Marketing Manager

    • Dec 2011 - Sep 2015
    • Beverley, East Yorkshire

    UK Group Sales & Marketing Manager - Primary role responsibilities include the development of new business opportunities and managing the existing business within my account portfolio; I am also tasked with uncovering and developing new account / product opportunities within the Retail & Delivered Wholesale Sectors. Current Account Portfolio: Retail - Tesco, ASDA, Morrison's, Dunnes, Booths, Aldi, Co-op. Food Service - 3663, Brakes, Hopwells, TFS (development project in this area)Working with eight European manufacturers we deliver high quality branded and own label frozen & chilled product solutions for the retail and delivered wholesale sectors. As a company LBFC specialise in supplying - Authentic Italian Pizza, Vegetarian, Party / Buffet Food, Seafood, Pies & Pastry. My role provides me with the opportunity to work with our European manufacturing partners on developing new own label and branded product solutions for the aforementioned accounts, conducting factory visits across Europe, working on supply chain logistics/RTM via European supply chain, as well as the commercial negotiation on purchasing. The marketing aspect of my role allows me the freedom to manage the development and delivery of Marketing and Promotional plans with the aforementioned companies from conception to realisation. I have also utilised my own creative skills to help design the company literature, web site and social media as well as having creative input in our own label packaging design in conjunction with Web, PR, Design & Print companies. In addition to the above remit at The Little Big Food Company my role also extends to include the day to day management of the A J Pies & Pastries multiple retailer business with Tesco, ASDA, Morrison's & Sainsbury's. This business specialises in the manufacturing & supply of high quality hand finished Pork Pies and Pies into the independent & multiple retailers primarily across the North West & Yorkshire regions.

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  Aimia Foods Limited

  • Haydock

  • National Account Manager Foodservice

    • Jun 2008 - Dec 2011
    • Haydock

    National Wholesale Distributor and End User Account Development role with account responsibility for Brakes, DBC, NHS Supply Chain, MOD, SSP and Compass Group Uk & Ireland. Managment Responsibility for 3 Regional Account Managers looking after the LEA Education, Higher Education and Healthcare Sectors. Recently appointed to LACA Communication Commitee and manage ESPO, Pelican, YPO and The Consortium Buying Groups.

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  1st Food & Drink Limited

  • Sales & Marketing Manager

    • 2007 - 2008

    Managing the sales and marketing department for a smaller SME company focusing on delivering wholesale and vending equipment into a variety of end user accounts including LEA’s, Universities, B2B and Regional Contract Caterers. Role split into sales management development, account sales, managing a team of three direct sales people & 5 van sales and enhancing product portfolio by negotiating and trading with a variety of manufacturers, buying in products and development new ideas and concepts for the business. Core responsible for the sales teams’ direct training and sales focus via the effective development & implementation of an approved board business plan. In charge of the company’s Website development from the initial web site design, creative infrastructure, electronic payment development and implementation to upload realisation. Additional charged to look after the Marketing Plans for the business and liaise with printers and designers to develop new marketing brochures, marketing literature and product order forms.

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  MARS Drinks UK

  • United States
  • Manufacturing
  • 700 & Above Employee

  • Distributor Manager

    • 2006 - 2007

    Managing the Flavia and Klix Brands throughout a network of UK Distributor Wholesale Accounts. Responsible for the review, development and implementation of Business Plans and Growth Strategies at Managing Director and Operational Levels. Managing marketing budgets and encouraging brand share within the accounts. Additionally: Devising and implementing new sales initiatives to motivate an external sales force Conducting Sales Training, Learning and Development with direct and indirect account personnel Contribution to the creation of the comprehensive training program for salespeople Design, development and implementation of a secure Distributor Web site as an online resource for Accounts  Development of Marketing strategies to advertise and develop Brand awareness to the accounts internal and external customers

  • Business Development Manager & FLAVIA Specialist

    • 2001 - 2006

    Targeted Selling Role directly to the end user for both Klix and Flavia Brands. Diverse account base North West regional specific area dealing with larger catering organisations such as Compass, Aramark and Sodexho. Also dealing with End user managers at all levels. Larger accounts included McVities, Kellogg’s, Procter and Gamble. Additionally: Trained as Flavia Specialist in Coffee Market  Worked with US Market in developing Distributor Strategy which lead to above role as UK Distributor Account Manager  Involved in Sales, Learning and Development of Regional Sales Force Created Competitor Database System for UK National Sales Force proven use for UK Sales and subsequently rolled out to European and US Markets for training purposes and competitor knowledge / reference tool.

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  McCain Foods Limited

  • Contracts & Key Account Manager

    • 1998 - 2001

    Started as a Direct Field Sales Executive based in the South of England selling to the end user catering accounts utilising our frozen food distributor network, 3663, Kent Frozen Foods, Billy Boy & Brake Brothers. Promoted to Contract and Key Account role in North of England after six months to look after 20 Key Business Accounts. Selling primarily into head office locations to Key Decision Makers at all levels. Account base included all local councils from Midlands to the Scottish Borders, Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Chester Zoo as well as LPA, YPO and GMPC buying consortiums.

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  GAME

  • Store Manager

    • 1996 - 1998

    Initially started as Trainee Manager, followed by troubleshooter manager role covering the South of England. After six months promoted to own store as Store Manager at the Crawley Branch. Significant customer exposure and my scope of responsibilities included recruitment, training, staff rotas, banking procedures and cash handling. Active customer service and serving behind counter as well as merchandising and store presentation. Took over when store at 34th out of 50 stores nationwide and achieved growth levels to achieve 9th position in the GAME Company’s rankings (restricted taking higher due to store capacity and size).

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  Harbour House Hotel Nantucket USA

  • Front of House

    • May 1996 - Nov 1996

    Overseas Employment Sponsorship White Elephant Resort and Harbour House Hotel, Nantucket Island, USA

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  Hilton Conrad Hotels

  • Trainee Hotel Management Scheme

    • Mar 1993 - Aug 1993

    HND Hotel & Catering Management Work Placement - Trainee Hotel Management Scheme - La Belle Creole Resort, St.Martin, French West Indies.