Rich Hechler
Western Regional Retail Sales Manager at Tofurky- Claim this Profile
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Bio
Rick Planos
I had the pleasure of working with Rich on an Experiential Marketing Project with Google. The project was very high profile with visitors from all over the world. Rich was simply outstanding, performing at the highest level in a variety of roles and connecting with thousands of very diverse customers. I will never forget his high standards and the way he added to the experience with every customer he engaged with. The project was cutting edge and Had tons of moving parts, and Rich was exceptionally adept at figuring things out. Rich is a very astute businessman with a heart and I would be honored to work with, or for him again in the future.
Jeff C.
Working with Rich was a pleasure. He is a very easy going guy with a heart of gold. His passions pour forth in his work and that's a rare gift to have. He always has a smile on his face and gives 100% to the job. Rich is highly knowledgeable with the tech industry and Google products. If I was ever uncertain with something I knew he was a great backup for answers to solve problems at work. Rich would be a great asset with any position he is offered. I would be honored to work again with RIch in the future!
Rick Planos
I had the pleasure of working with Rich on an Experiential Marketing Project with Google. The project was very high profile with visitors from all over the world. Rich was simply outstanding, performing at the highest level in a variety of roles and connecting with thousands of very diverse customers. I will never forget his high standards and the way he added to the experience with every customer he engaged with. The project was cutting edge and Had tons of moving parts, and Rich was exceptionally adept at figuring things out. Rich is a very astute businessman with a heart and I would be honored to work with, or for him again in the future.
Jeff C.
Working with Rich was a pleasure. He is a very easy going guy with a heart of gold. His passions pour forth in his work and that's a rare gift to have. He always has a smile on his face and gives 100% to the job. Rich is highly knowledgeable with the tech industry and Google products. If I was ever uncertain with something I knew he was a great backup for answers to solve problems at work. Rich would be a great asset with any position he is offered. I would be honored to work again with RIch in the future!
Rick Planos
I had the pleasure of working with Rich on an Experiential Marketing Project with Google. The project was very high profile with visitors from all over the world. Rich was simply outstanding, performing at the highest level in a variety of roles and connecting with thousands of very diverse customers. I will never forget his high standards and the way he added to the experience with every customer he engaged with. The project was cutting edge and Had tons of moving parts, and Rich was exceptionally adept at figuring things out. Rich is a very astute businessman with a heart and I would be honored to work with, or for him again in the future.
Jeff C.
Working with Rich was a pleasure. He is a very easy going guy with a heart of gold. His passions pour forth in his work and that's a rare gift to have. He always has a smile on his face and gives 100% to the job. Rich is highly knowledgeable with the tech industry and Google products. If I was ever uncertain with something I knew he was a great backup for answers to solve problems at work. Rich would be a great asset with any position he is offered. I would be honored to work again with RIch in the future!
Rick Planos
I had the pleasure of working with Rich on an Experiential Marketing Project with Google. The project was very high profile with visitors from all over the world. Rich was simply outstanding, performing at the highest level in a variety of roles and connecting with thousands of very diverse customers. I will never forget his high standards and the way he added to the experience with every customer he engaged with. The project was cutting edge and Had tons of moving parts, and Rich was exceptionally adept at figuring things out. Rich is a very astute businessman with a heart and I would be honored to work with, or for him again in the future.
Jeff C.
Working with Rich was a pleasure. He is a very easy going guy with a heart of gold. His passions pour forth in his work and that's a rare gift to have. He always has a smile on his face and gives 100% to the job. Rich is highly knowledgeable with the tech industry and Google products. If I was ever uncertain with something I knew he was a great backup for answers to solve problems at work. Rich would be a great asset with any position he is offered. I would be honored to work again with RIch in the future!
Credentials
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Certified "Apollo" Space Planning Professional
IRI -
Certified "JDA" Space Planning Professional
JDA Software
Experience
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Tofurky
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United States
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Food and Beverage Manufacturing
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1 - 100 Employee
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Western Regional Retail Sales Manager
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Aug 2021 - Present
Nation’s leading independent manufacturer of plant-based proteins and dairy-free cheeses. Western Region U.S. and Canada, Account management and sales objectives achievement of the company's plant-based meats and cheeses through the retail CPG channel / Broker network for the Natural, Conventional Grocery and Distributor business channel clients. MAJOR ACCOUNTS: UNFI, Sprouts, Safeway/Albertsons, Winco Foods, Raleys, Save Mart, Stater Bros, Smart & Final, Natural Grocers, DPI Specialty Foods, Harmons, New Seasons/New Leaf, Nugget, Mother’s, and Save On Foods CA Show less
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RH & Associates
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Denver, CO
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Sales and Category Management Consultant
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Apr 2018 - Aug 2021
Relocated to Denver, CO - April 2020 Strategic sales and category management consultancy supporting clients' analytical capabilities to generate volume growth and strengthen market share with manufacturers and associated retailers. Provide strategic leadership, deliver value-added insights, and develop account strategies to drive revenue, new market penetration, improve brand image, acquire new business, improve operational efficiency, mitigate business risk, and increase profitability. PARTNERS: IMSM, Inc.; Proforma B12-Mktg; Northwest Pallet Services (Amazon, Target, Lowes, Kohl's, Petco, ADM, SC Johnson, and Newell Brands); Mosaic North America, Marketing/Advertising - Google SNAPSHOT OF RESULTS • Assisted SMBs and SMEs to achieve certifications based on their strategic business goals utilizing methodologies that conform to standards set by the ISO (International Organization for Standardization). • Facilitated and implemented corporate-wide account management practices for existing and new business to generate growth, increase profitability and cultivate relationships with national customers for a total sales portfolio in excess of $28 million. • Google Brand Ambassador and experiential marketing producer of brand awareness and presence through daily consumer-focused interactions. Show less
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The LANG Companies, Inc.
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United States
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Manufacturing
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1 - 100 Employee
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National Account Manager
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2016 - 2018
(Division of IG Design Group) Grocery, Drug, Hardware (DIY), Regional Mass and Office Supply Channels Developed strategic alliance focused on financial goal attainment while managing $5 million strategic account sales for this industry leader that produces gift/specialty products as well as design-driven calendars of art, photography and sports. MAJOR ACCOUNTS: Menards, CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Staples, Office Depot, Meijer, Kroger, HEB, Safeway / Albertsons, Wegmans, and ReaderLink Distribution. SNAPSHOT OF RESULTS • Increased 2017 sales revenue by 12% for all businesses, in conjunction with broker management network, by focusing on fact-based analysis and recommending customer- and location-specific programming. • Stabilized the Staples business by conducting an SKU rationalization and implemented store-specific planograms based on store sales ranking / zip code analysis for the location-relative Turner Licensing Sports Calendars. Show less
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Microlife USA
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Mundelein, IL
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National Account Manager
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2012 - 2016
Grocery, Drug and Club Business Channels Developed, implemented, and supported strategic plans to achieve profitability goals and overall sales in excess of $22 million for this world leader and manufacturer of medical diagnostic equipment for institutional and home use. Cultivated existing accounts and developed new business within the grocery, drug, and club business channels MAJOR ACCOUNTS: Costco Wholesale, Kroger, HEB, Publix, SuperValu, Safeway / Albertsons, Meijer, Walgreens, CVS, Cardinal Health, Kinray Drug, and Chain Drug Marketing Association(CDMA). SNAPSHOT OF RESULTS • Delivered new revenue which included increasing strategic account sales by $3.3M or 50% in a 24-month period. • Generated $7.1M in incremental sales (132% increase) resulting from the sole authorization of a new blood pressure monitor at Costco Wholesale. • HEB Vendor of the Year award, 2015. • Increased 2012 and 2013 sales by 25% for all major accounts by conducting customer-specific SKU rationalization and implementing pallet-ready display and promotional programs. • Optimized and improved volume forecast accuracy in conjunction with demand planning and key customers' category managers, which achieved customer appropriate inventory levels to minimize out of stock situations. Show less
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Regional Sales Manager MW/SE and National Drug/Natural Sales Manager
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2010 - 2012
Managed sales of more than $16 million in nationwide drug / natural channels and the grocery channel within the Midwest and Southeast regions on behalf of this manufacturer and marketer of the world’s most popular tabletop sweeteners. MAJOR ACCOUNTS: Meijer, SpartanNash, Central Grocers, Roundy’s, Schnucks, Publix, Winn-Dixie, Associated Grocers, CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Whole Foods, United Natural Foods Inc.(UNFI), and Nature’s Best.SNAPSHOT OF RESULTS • Generated 5% business growth in a declining grocery channel by leveraging the Advantage Sales broker management relationship and identifying opportunities to implement programming supportive of corporate promotional and pricing strategies.• Exceeded sales goal by 8.2% for the Walgreens account and grew consumption by 14.2% through the creation/launch of new promotional programs and conducted ROI analysis to fuel profitability.• Secured 90% shelf placement in 90% of grocery channel accounts for "Project Rainbow" new package of items (Equal Aspartame, Equal Sucralose, Equal Saccharin). Show less
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Category Manager, North America
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2008 - 2010
Coordinated all category management efforts between sales and marketing to facilitate field execution in business channels and with key customers, while improving sales and profitability via knowledge transfer efforts.• Created and implemented customized dashboard and fact-based reporting tool to provide consumer-focused category overview to address opportunities, drive category growth, and reduce ad-hoc execution of data.
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Hillshire Brands
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United States
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Food and Beverage Manufacturing
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700 & Above Employee
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Manager, Assortment/Shelving
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2005 - 2007
Formerly Sara Lee Corporation Defined and managed the corporate strategic direction of planograms, category adjacencies, and item assortments in category and space management for this consumer goods company with operations in 40 countries and products sold in 180+ countries. Formerly Sara Lee Corporation Defined and managed the corporate strategic direction of planograms, category adjacencies, and item assortments in category and space management for this consumer goods company with operations in 40 countries and products sold in 180+ countries.
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Rand McNally
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Internet Publishing
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100 - 200 Employee
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Senior Category Manager
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2004 - 2005
Managed the map / atlas categories with emphasis on optimizing sales, profitability, and driving efficiencies by implementing corporate category management principles and practices for key national/regional accounts including Walmart, Target, Walgreens, CVS, Rite-Aid, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Barjan, and Flying J Travel Plazas. Managed the map / atlas categories with emphasis on optimizing sales, profitability, and driving efficiencies by implementing corporate category management principles and practices for key national/regional accounts including Walmart, Target, Walgreens, CVS, Rite-Aid, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Barjan, and Flying J Travel Plazas.
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Education
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Northern Illinois University
Bachelor of Science - BS, Journalism/Advertising
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