Experience

Kohlfeld Distributing Inc

• United States
• Wholesale
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Import, Craft, & Specialty Beer Portfolio Manager

  • Jan 2016 - Present

  Recruited to manage a diverse brand portfolio to drive awareness, sales, distribution, and market share. at Southeast Missouri's premium beer and beverage wholesaler offering a complete portfolio of beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages.• Served as wholesaler liaison with brewer/supplier representatives of domestic brands including Coors & Pabst Blue Ribbon, craft beers including Samuel Adams & Sierra Nevada and imports including Corona & Heineken among many others.• Coordinate brewer/supplier objectives with wholesaler objectives to help drive sales and programming• Conduct meetings with special event boards and decision points to achieve sponsorship goals and promote brands & brewers.• Facilitate service calls for draught customers, develop orders in pre-sales at retail, help fill gaps as a relief sales rep, and train new reps. on beer selling processes; help plan, load, execute, and deliver product during peak times as needed.• Contact and develop relationships with prospective new brewer/suppliers seeking to expand to Southeast Missouri.• Plan, advertise, market, and execute special events in the area; serve as point-of-contact during night and weekend events.• Develop strategies and assist in forecasting for new brands with suppliers to increase trial and awareness at sampling events.• Nurture existing and develop new relationships with key accounts across channels in both on- and off-premise accounts.



Anheuser-Busch InBev

• Ukraine
• Food and Beverage Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Sales Manager

  • Sep 2013 - Jul 2015

  Relocated to an ABI-owned wholesaler to manage sales and service efforts in Southwest Oklahoma.• Led and directed a team of 3 Pre-Sales Representatives, 2 Merchandisers, 1 Relief Sales Rep., and 3 Weekenders in a territory selling 400,000 cases per year at 200 on- and off-premise accounts.• Trained, coached, and supervised the team to accomplish shared goals using Selling and Coaching skills, while tracking key business measures through ride-withs and team-sells.• Recognized for consistently driving sales growth and fulfilling customer satisfaction objectives in the marketplace; prepared presentations to identify gaps, opportunities, coachable, and actionable items.• Developed relationships and built business plans for individual retail accounts to set objectives, manage budget, and drive sales.• Communicated daily/weekly /monthly sales figures in relation to wholesaler Key Performance Indicators.• Performed data-based monthly reporting to national/regional/local chains on sales/marketing activities.

• District Manager

  • Nov 2012 - Sep 2013

  Recruited to increase profitable sales and market share by successfully strengthening wholesaler performance.• Provided direction and leadership to 8 wholesalers in Western Arkansas to maximize brand awareness, distribution, sales, and market share growth in a territory consisting of over 1,500 retail accounts selling 9.5 million cases of beer annually.• Conducted regular market visits to communicate region priorities, manage the monthly Wholesaler Performance Review process, develop pricing plan and selling strategies, and ensure compliance with the Wholesaler Equity Agreement.• Developed and managed specific account-level objectives, coordinated deliveries, executed trade calls, merchandised accounts, and conducted consumer promotional programs to increase distribution, volume, and market share.• Built relationships with key retail accounts to drive sales growth through incremental brand and package placements, new product introductions, promotional activity, shelf space management, and effective pricing and merchandising strategy.• Coordinated efforts with Key Account Managers, Channel Leads, and Pricing Analysts to identify sales issues and market opportunities, develop action plans, and support promotional and sponsorship programs at retail.• Assisted with formation of new wholesaler territories as Benton and Madison transitioned into wet Counties. .



Major Brands

• United States
• Individual and Family Services

• Sales Representative

  • May 2012 - Oct 2012

  Promoted to manage a beer division sales route consisting of 25 off-premise accounts in Kansas City.• Executed the sales process for the entire Major Brands beer portfolio consisting of import, craft, and specialty brands.• Managed existing retail relationships with high-value, off-premise decision makers and management. and wrote orders, merchandised accounts, and performed inventor, and led sell through strategies.• Executed initiatives put forth by multiple suppliers including Heineken, Schlafly, New Belgium and various craft brewers.• Provided excellent account service by understanding customer needs and offering effective solutions to maximize sales.

• Sales Trainee

  • Nov 2011 - May 2012

  Recruited into a training role to prepare for full-time Sales Representative opportunities.• Performed a high-level of service to retail accounts by stocking, merchandising, filling shelves, building displays, and maintaining product freshness at large, off-premise accounts in the Kansas City area including Hy-Vee, Price Chopper, and Gomer’s Liquor.• Shadowed experienced Sales Representatives on both on- and off-premise account calls.• Assisted in new product launches conducted by liquor suppliers such as Diageo USA, Constellation Brands, Brown-Forman, Pernod Ricard, and Jim Beam; New Belgium Brewing Co., Heineken, Schlafly, Stone Brewing Co, and Avery Brewing Co.• Conducted monthly pricing surveys in both chain and independent off-premise accounts.• Expedited sales-takes (“hot-shots”) product orders to fulfill last-minute/emergency requests from retailers.



Missouri Eagle, LLC

• United States
• Government Relations

• Pre-Sales Representative / Corporate Social Responsibility Coordinator

  • May 2010 - Nov 2011

  Promoted to manage relationships and grow volume at 18 on-premise accounts at the Lake of the Ozarks.• Developed and implemented specific account-level objectives, executed trade calls, and executed the sales and service process for the entire ABI portfolio to maximize all sales opportunities and ensure a high-level of customer satisfaction.• Planned and executed hand sell, promotional, and sampling events at both on- and off-premise accounts.• Implemented Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives to prevent drunk driving and promote responsible drinking.

• Merchandiser / Contemporary Marketing Team Coordinator / Assistant Pre-Sales Rep.

  • May 2007 - May 2010

  Recruited to cultivate key retail account relationships, sell-in, and promote brand portfolio to young adult consumers.• Created resort market-specific programs, built retailer relationship, merchandised accounts, rotated product, and executed customized consumer marketing and promotional plans in 18 on-premise accounts and at special events throughout the area.• Gained prime placement for permanent and paper point-of-sale elements and built impactful displays to support brand marketing programs and maximize awareness of ABI products.



Beks Restaurant

• Assistant Manager, Bartender

  • May 2006 - May 2007

  Originally hired as bartender and promoted to assist in the overall management of daily restaurant operations.• Scheduled and supervised a staff of 6 to 8 front-of-house associates to create memorable experiences and build guest loyalty.• Performed opening and closing duties, including responsibility for cash, inventory, cost control, and labor.• Prepared and served beverages for servers and guests in a speedy, efficient, friendly, and professional manner. Originally hired as bartender and promoted to assist in the overall management of daily restaurant operations.• Scheduled and supervised a staff of 6 to 8 front-of-house associates to create memorable experiences and build guest loyalty.• Performed opening and closing duties, including responsibility for cash, inventory, cost control, and labor.• Prepared and served beverages for servers and guests in a speedy, efficient, friendly, and professional manner.



Grey Eagle Distributors

• United States
• Food & Beverages
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Marketing Intern

  • May 2005 - Sep 2005

  Recruited for summer position to conduct on-premise marketing activities and promote ABI brands to contemporary adults.• Created market-specific programs, executed customized local marketing and promotional plans, and merchandised key on-premise contemporary adult accounts to promote company products and initiatives. • Influenced brand purchase intent and improved product placement, sell-through, and market share growth by interacting directly with consumers and retailers during on-premise and special event promotions and product samplings.• Sold-in new products, gained new placements, merchandised accounts, rotated product, and maintained point-of-sale.• Executed special events including St. Louis County Fair and Air Show, Taste of Clayton, Parties in the Park, and St. Louis Rams.