Andrea K. Dennhardt acq10g@r.postjobfree.com 563-***-****

Professional Summary

I will be adding to your company a comprehensive package including knowledge in the marketing and merchandising area with a focus on business growth and customer development. A professional, resourceful, and highly motivated self-starter is a key asset I bring to any organization. I am skilled in team building, project management, and possess superlative supervisory and problem-solving skills. My professional skill set flourishes in fast-paced environments. Comprehensive experience in the wholesale, retail, and outside sales arena: including territory sales, convention organization, marketing development, hotel business and retail management.

Skills

1.Strategic planning for working any project at hand by being very detailed and laying out a schedule and keeping everyone on track to complete on time as required.

2.Team building by working with team members on an individual basis then bringing everyone together as a “family” to reach their goals.

3.Negotiations expert in working with team members, customers and business prospects. By really listening to what is wanted or needed by the person or group I am working with, then I can offer any and all solutions that can be done to amend the situation.

4.Experience working with the larger “Key Accounts” as well as the small 1 person owner independent businesses.

Work History

Variety Distributors, INC., Project Manager/Sales – 06/2010 - Present

General Wholesale Merchandise Co-Op Company for Pharmacies and Variety stores

27 States that make up my territory are Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, W. Virginia, Virginia, N.&S. Carolinas’, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Washington D.C., Florida, and New York.

Open New Accounts from cold calling, mailings and Internet requests

Always working with independent stores for the right mix for their individual needs

Each month put together new ideas from New Product to increase their sales

Complete store developing, utilizing Plan-O-Grams, blueprints, and shelf labels

Order all product to fill new stores

Train new members how to use ordering devices and Plan-O-Grams

Ongoing guidance and supervising stores

Weekly reports with store visits

When needed sent to other territories for trouble shooting with unhappy members.

Amscan, Inc., Territory Manager, Iowa Territory - 11/2005 – 06/2010

$1.5 billion designer, manufacturer, & distributor of party goods & gifts – Grasslands Road Division

Acquired 136 new customers throughout Iowa territory since 11/05 (total 310 accounts, including existing ones.)

Continued to develop during recession (18 new YTD.)

Generated significant sales growth throughout the territory until the recession.

Territory manager for entire state of Iowa selling giftware line and party ware.

Participated in showrooms and conventions throughout the country.

Building strong customer relationships key to developing individual accounts.

Creative initiatives include custom plan-a-grams to fit the individual customer needs.

Radio Shack, Store Manager, Davenport, IA - 05/2004 – 10/2005

$4.32 billion retail sales of consumer electronic goods and services

Developed “Customer First” philosophy within my team.

Established sales and gross margin goals for location.

Creation and development of incentive programs.

Regular management of store location including day-to-day operations, scheduling, and monthly goals for sales associates.

Trainer for the district Manager-In-Training (MIT) Program and New Employee Training Program.

Recruited new employees for the district – hiring program included managers in training (new and experienced) & sales associates.

Factory Card & Party Outlet, Store Manager, Davenport, IA - 11/1998 –10/2003

$1.6 million retail location in Davenport – FCPO is a division of Amscan, Inc. (as of 2007) selling greeting cards, party supplies & gifts

Open/closing store.

Schedule personnel.

Store daily banking duties and following financial integrity of store procedures.

By managing employee hours and promoting sales I achieved monthly bonuses on a regular basis.

Successes led to additional opportunities managing a Des Moines location while overseeing the other Des Moines stores, and working in Omaha & St. Louis locations.

Successfully reduced back room inventory by 50% at Des Moines location in less than one year.

Responsibility for inventory management including order replenishment & stock reduction objectives.

As well as managing established store displays, created custom displays to promote seasonal sales. Some of my ideas were implemented company-wide.

Implemented SOX compliance at the store level. Conduct store safety meetings.

Regular training of ~20 associates; cashiers, supervisors, & assistant managers. Selected to do manager training at other locations.

Worked with Theft Protection Department to implement initiatives to reduce company risk.

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