Experience

Wilt-Pruf Products

• United States
• Retail
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Head Of Sales and Customer Marketing

  • Jun 2022 - Present

  Lead the Sales Function to expand the number one anti-transpirant in the lawn and garden industry for more than 60 years Lead the Sales Function to expand the number one anti-transpirant in the lawn and garden industry for more than 60 years



Central Garden & Pet

• United States
• Manufacturing
• 700 & Above Employee

• Director of Customer Marketing

  • 2018 - Jun 2022

  Direct Customer Marketing function for specific channels for the Central Pet Specialty Division (CSP) created by the merger of Central Aquatics and Central Avian and Small Animal businesses- Manage E-Commerce, Wal*Mart and Petco business along with the inter-company Segrest Farms and Casco Pet relationships- Work with Account Managers, Analysts and Supply Chain teams to understand the customer and provide the insights and information to support customer and brand strategies- Member of Central's Digi-Com Team developing and implementing strategy for E-Commerce Business and the related Digital Marketing support- Manage a Customer Marketing Specialist who is responsible for e-commerce product pages, sales support and creation and management of various customized analytic tools- Direct the data analysis and sales tracking utilizing Nielsen and One Click Reporting data as well as customer specific data to help business adjust to trends to maximize sales and profitability Show less

• Director of Customer Marketing

  • 2015 - 2018

  Hired to develop the Customer Marketing Function in the Aquatic and Reptile Division of Central's Pet Business with focus on Local, Regional and E-Commerce Retailing. Work closely with internal teams (marketing, supply chain, finance) as well as Sales Directors, Account Managers, District Managers and Territory Managers to develop programs and tools to help drive sales.Worked with the Vice President of Sales, Regional Sales Directors and Internal Department Leads and developed a list of strategic initiatives necessary for the brand and field sales organization to address. These projects formed the cornerstone of the work that would need to be addressed as the department evolves. Trade Promotions lacked a formalized structure and process to measure and evaluate promotional spending. Designed analytics program to evaluate off-invoice trade spending setting stage for future program changes. Utilized various sources of input to understand the goals of brand, sales and retailers and held meetings with Sales Leadership to reach consensus on planning.Improved Communication between Brand Marketing and the Field Sales Organization and Independent and Regional Retailers. Launched the “Independent Retailer Round Table Program” to provide in-depth collaboration between retailers and brand marketing team to guide future planning of products, promotional activity and merchandising. Developed a Sales Support Site using Office 365 that allowed sales team to access sales sheets, product knowledge tools, product specifications, catalogs and brand videos for Aquatics and other Pet Brands. Show less



Rhody Consulting Services LLC

• Manager, Business Development

  • 2013 - 2016

  Founder and Consultant for small to medium Home Improvement Companies and small businesses. Specialization in creating Trade Marketing, Sales Operations and Merchandising Strategies to help manufacturers work with Independent Retailers. Utilization of over decade of experience developing programs, promotions and sales tools to help drive business across Hardware Coops (such as Ace, True Value, Do It Best), Independent Garden Centers and Distributors (such as Commerce, Arett, Fosters and L & L Nursery Supply). Also involved with writing relevant articles, industry presentations and consulting work with individual retailers. Contact Martin at rhodyconsulting@gmail.com or check out company website at www.rhodyconsulting.net Show less



The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company

• United States
• Consumer Goods
• 700 & Above Employee

• Director of Marketing and Sales Operations (Channel Marketing)

  • 2006 - 2012

  Leader involved in all aspects of planning and executing business strategies for direct and indirect sales forces to bring to life the Scotts Miracle-Gro product line. Breadth of responsibility included P&L Management, Marketing, Supply Chain, Sales and Conflict Resolution.Oversaw planning and administration of trade marketing, sales programs and tools for over $500 million division of ScottsMiracle-Gro Company. Directed all activities to support five regional offices and national sales force calling on Hardware Stores, Garden Centers, Regional Accounts and National Accounts such as Kmart, Target and MenardsLaunched a 60 product exclusive product line for independent hardware store and garden centers which accounted for nearly $23 million in incremental sales in its first two years. Show less

• Manager, Sales Planning, Marketing and Inside Sales (Customer Marketing)

  • 2005 - 2006

  Created inside Sales Department that annually exceeded regional sales growth. Department included a manager, 5 full time sales representatives and seasonal staff. Transformed a order taking group into a full service sales organization that wrote orders, educated retailers and developed advertising, merchandising and promotional plans for their customers.Directed the turn-key marketing and pricing programs for Independent Hardware and Garden Center owners to drive consumers into the stores. Improved Direct Mail and Free Standing Insert (FSI) programs to better convey brand messaging as well as meet Independent Retail needs to drive foot steps into their stores using Scotts Cooperative Ad Funds (Coop).Earned “Scotts Chairman Award” for developing a process to locate excess and obsolete products and to sell the product across the United States. This program was responsible for $2 to $5 million of incremental profit annually. The two step process included developing a sales strategy for E&O and then reducing the amount of E&O inventory each year. Show less

• Manager, Sales Planning & Communications

  • 2001 - 2005

  Coordinated the brand team initiatives with field sales organization to bring plans into action at the point of sale and update brand strategies from sales input. Facilitated the INAT activities for all the SP&C Managers (4 brand teams).Series of successful product launches and sales growth accomplishments including Miracle-Gro LiquaFeed, Miracle-Gro Nursery Select and Shake 'n Feed Plant Food.Other areas of expertise included Trade Shows, Customer Presentations, Key Account Sales, Training, Cross Functional Leadership, Staff Development and Brand Building. Show less

• District Sales Manager

  • 2000 - 2001

  Led nine Sales Managers and a District Training Manager to drive sales and merchandising efforts at Home Depot, Lowes and Independent retailers. Created programs to educate team on sales and merchandising Scotts’ products that led District to end year with double-digit shipment growth placing in top districts in the Central Region.Implemented eight new SMMs into Scotts “One Face to the Customer” model blending four individual direct and indirect sales forces into one unified direct sales organization. This included in depth product knowledge training, merchandising, time management, expense management, sales and people development.Developed District Training Manager for promotion to District Manager (July 2001) Show less

• Sales Merchandising Manager

  • 1999 - 2000

  Managed territory of Home Depot and Lowes stores representing all sales and merchandising tasks for the Ortho, Roundup and Miracle-Gro plant food products. Developed relationships at store, district and divisional level to drive sales based on fact based selling. Despite being new to the position, was recognized by all levels of retailer staff as a go to person who partnered with them to grow the category and manage inventory levels.Earned the “Ortho Sales Leadership Award” for managing a territory that exceeded 140% of budget reaching nearly 175% of prior year’s sales which placed me in top 1% of all Ortho Salespeople for the year. Show less



Southpro Sales/Service Express

• Manufacturer Representative

  • 1998 - 1999

  A Manufacturer’s Representative supporting 20 to 35 product lines at Lowes and Home Depot stores. Key vendors supported included Schlage Locks, Jacuzzi, Genie Garage Door Openers, Honeywell, Broan Fans and various globally sourced items from both Lowes and Home Depot. A Manufacturer’s Representative supporting 20 to 35 product lines at Lowes and Home Depot stores. Key vendors supported included Schlage Locks, Jacuzzi, Genie Garage Door Openers, Honeywell, Broan Fans and various globally sourced items from both Lowes and Home Depot.



Hechinger (Home Quarters Division)

• Retail Manager

  • 1993 - 1998

  Started as a Sales Manager over-seeing a single department, promoted to Receiving and Replenishment Manager before being promoted to Group Sales Manager over the entire Lawn and Garden Department. Lawn & Garden was the largest department in the store. Skills included management of staff, replenishment, customer service, merchandising and conflict resolution. Started as a Sales Manager over-seeing a single department, promoted to Receiving and Replenishment Manager before being promoted to Group Sales Manager over the entire Lawn and Garden Department. Lawn & Garden was the largest department in the store. Skills included management of staff, replenishment, customer service, merchandising and conflict resolution.



Various Restaurant and Hotel Companies

• Management Roles

  • 1986 - 1993

  Restaurant Management, Hotel Operations, Banquet Management, Front Office Manager, Sales and Facilities Management Restaurant Management, Hotel Operations, Banquet Management, Front Office Manager, Sales and Facilities Management