Buyer/Category Manager

Carlos A. Guerra

SUMMARY

Bilingual Category Manager with more than fifteen years of experience in

Supply Chain Management and purchasing of groceries, equipment and spare

parts at the local and international market. Strong analytical,

communication and leadership skills. Able to juggle several projects at

once with excellent prioritizing skills. Willing to work in an

environment that fosters challenge and change.

PERSONAL

INFORMATION: Address: 1760 Riverside Dr., Shakopee, MN 55379

Cellular Phone: 952-***-****

E-mail: **************@*****.***

EDUCATION: University of St. Thomas - Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Mini Master in Retail Excellence, May 2008

University of Louisville - Louisville, Kentucky

Master of Business Administration, July 2004.

Universidad Internacional de las Americas - Costa Rica

BS - Electrical-Mechanical Engineer, February 1996

EXPERIENCE: Grupo Rey, Panama, Panama. (December 2010 to March 2013)

Director of Category Management

Lead, organize and control the Category Management

strategies and activities for all categories within the

organization, with more than $600 MM in sales and two

digits yearly growth.

Developed and implemented all aspects of category

management including go to market strategies, financial

goals, and programs to increase sales, revenue,

profitability and market share for the Group, which

includes 5 banners, 43 grocery stores and 29 pharmacies.

Set strategic goals to achieve sales growth and budget

compliance for the organization, which will guarantee the

completion of the Group's expansion plan.

Participated in the design and opening of at least 4 new

stores per year.

Set best practices within category management by working

with various market data (Nielsen and loyalty program) and

industry standards to achieve financial goals.

Worked with Operations to organize and implement new

strategies, major resets and new stores openings.

SuperValu, Eden Prairie, Minnesota. (March 2006 to November

2010)

Corporate Grocery Business Support Manager (September 2009

to November 2010)

Developed and supported execution of category strategies

and initiatives for a $350 MM grocery category, at both

wholesale and retail level; delivered against quarterly and

annual forecast; provided input to the development of

strategic Category Business Plans.

Coordinated working plan for team derived from annual &

quarterly category merchandising strategy based on

evaluation of Nielsen data, past performance, consumer and

company/market trends with a focus on current banner/region

insights.

Compiled market, supplier, and consumer information in

support of identifying and executing enterprise-wide

national promo opportunities; provided input to

departmental leadership on ad space allocations by

department/banner.

Participated in review of full assortment; gave input into

national and local vendor recommendations; worked with

regional and banner merchants to collect category

performance feedback.

Participated in vendor negotiations in order to set the

quarterly/yearly go to market specific strategies.

Reviewed, evaluated and modify strategies in order to

comply with target goals.

Wholesale Grocery Category Merchandiser (July 2008 to

August 2009)

Developed the merchandising and promotional strategy for a

$140 MM grocery category.

Developed and communicated new items launches, pricing,

assortment and schematic recommendations within assigned

categories (Condiments, Ethnics, etc.).

Executed merchandising strategies and sales category plans

to drive growth and reach penetration goals based on

understanding and meeting consumer needs.

Continuously evaluate and analyze Hispanic program.

Customize strategies, product assortment and promotion

plans specific to trade area.

Developed merchandising strategies and ad planners specific

to retailer group, area or region in order to maximize

market share and competitive advantage against rest of the

market. Work together with Hispanic vendors in creating

planograms and seasonally correct promotions which will

increase sales and profitability.

Worked with analytical resources (Nielsen, IRI and POS

data) to measure and communicate new item launch success by

region/banner. Success factors include: speed to shelf,

ACV, sales penetration, profitability and overall category

impact.

Wholesale Grocery / Dairy Buyer (June 2007 to July 2008)

Developed strategies that helped in maintaining adequate

inventory levels; high enough to comply with forecasted

sales, promotions and customer service but always

minimizing spoilage and unnecessary inventory investments.

Worked together with the category managers in order to

develop strategies and promotions that resulted in

generating incremental business to the company.

Wholesale Grocery Warehouse Supervisor (March 2006 to May

2007)

Organized and supervised 100+ unionized warehousemen in

order to perform all duties which included, in average,

receiving of 40 loads, shipping of 100K cases and 80

trucks, daily, in an efficient and timely manner.

Maintain constant communication with Dispatch, Billing and

other Warehouses Supervisors in order to ship loads on time

and fulfill customer expectations regarding dock-out time

and product integrity.

Observe and reinforce total compliance of OSHA and FISA

regulations in all duties performed at the warehouse.

Panama Ports Company - Balboa, Panama, Member of Hutchison

Port Holding, Hong Kong. (February 2000 to June 2004)

Purchasing Officer

Warehouse Supervisor

CONFERENCES

AND ECRM, Newport Beach, CA.

TRAININGS: Global Wine, Beer and Spirits Efficient Program Planning

Session, August 2012.

NASFT, Washington, DC.

Fancy Food Show, June 2012.

ECRM, Miami, FL.

Hispanic, International & Ethnic Foods EPPS, July 2010.

Expo ANTAD, Guadalajara, Mexico.

Hispanic Foods Show, March 2009.

Contact this candidate