Sales Manager

David Sanborn

**** **** ***** ******

Sun Prairie, WI 53590

608-***-**** cell

********.**@*****.***

Areas of Expertise

. Sales Team Management

. Broker Management/Execution

. Successful Relationship Building

. Strong Overall Business Acumen

Experience

Creative Natural Products, Inc.; dba Chocolove Chocolates

Central Region Manager, October 2010 - July 2011

. Region includes Minnesota to Michigan and south to Texas and Alabama

. Managing key accounts such as Hallmark, Meijer's, Kehe/TOL, SuperValu,

Whole Foods, and Trudeau Distributing to increase sales, customer

relationships and account penetration.

. Managing all classes of trade in the Central Region - DSD, Direct

National Accounts, Gourmet Specialty and Grocery to ensure customer

satisfaction.

. Monthly sales revenue increase average of 35%.

Valor Chocolates USA

Director of Sales, 2007 - 2010

. Began as results driven Regional Sales Manager for the Midwest and

Northeast in July, 2007.

. Promoted to Director of Sales in August, 2008 with National Sales

Management of accounts such as Kehe, DPI, Garvey, Fred Meyer, Steiner

Foods, Haddon House, Roundy's, A & P, Cost Plus World Markets, Fresh

Brands, Lomar, DesignPac, Houdini and Peter's Imports.

. Added more than 20 new direct and indirect customers such as Bristol

Farms, Gelsons, HyVee, Shaw's, Busch's, Raley's, Festival Foods,

King's Supermarkets and Lunds/Byerly's.

. Developed 14 new key national and regional distributors such as

Consolidated Foods, Garvey, Unified Grocers, Abraham Natural Foods and

Chicago Imports.

. Increased overall sales revenue 5% in 2009 using persistent and

professional sales.

. Worked with brokers such as ESM, CS Brokers, Seidmon Hudon and Custom

Sales.

. Grew Haddon House Food Products from $92,000 in sales to $229,000 in

sales in 2009.

Astor Chocolate Corp.

Division VP, Retail Sales, 2004 - 2007

. As part of Executive Management team I developed a new wholesale

division.

. Increased sales from $300,000 to $2,800,000 by the third year working

with customers such as Bed Bath & Beyond, Wawa Stores, Big Y, Tzetzo

Bros, Haddon House and Garvey Nut & Candy.

. Created national broker network to include Santucci, Kiepe Action

Sales, Custom Sales and DR Johnson. Added competitive sales analysis,

diplomacy skills, effective coverage, volume tracking, yearly sales

plan, spending programs, slotting analysis and opportunity management.

. Managed forecasting, trade spending, sales planning, sales reporting,

sales growth goals, new product development, sales objectives and

rapid growth strategy.

. Negotiated licensed branding programs with Kahlua and Malibu.

. Developed Private Label program for Cost Plus World Markets and

Redstone Foods.

Mille Lacs Gourmet Foods, Division of The Wisconsin Cheeseman

Division VP of Sales & Marketing, 1997 - 2004

. Developed successful broker network for the wholesale division of The

Wisconsin Cheeseman.

. Worked with and trained brokers such as Camoriano & Assoc, Skyline

Sales, KKM and Santucci.

. Managed sales and product development of Cheese, Chocolates and

Seasonal Gift Packs.

. Headquarter calls included L & L Foods, Costco, WalMart/Sam's Club,

Target, Dillards, Macy's, JC Penney and Rite Aid, Gordmans,

Robinsons/May, Fred Meyer and Bi Mart.

. Began as Broker Manager and promoted to VP of Sales during third year

of employment.

. Direct reports included 7 sales representatives, 4 Graphic/Creative

staff members, and 6 Customer Service Representatives.

. Managed all high quality co-pack sales customers including Costco and

Houdini.

. Achieved Profitable growth division in my second year as VP - first

for this division in 6 years.

. Traveled abroad with purchasing and product managers to assist in

sourcing and development of new items and materials. Worked in China,

Taiwan, Hong Kong and Mexico City.

. Pioneered effort to increase technology tools for sales team including

KPI reports, category management, CRM database and execution

processes.

Stella Foods (now known as Saputo Foods) 1991 - 1996

Great Lakes Area Regional Manager, 1994 - 1996

. Managed sales development in six states throughout the Midwest.

. Managed brokers, distributors, co-manufacturers and direct house

accounts including Kroger, Sysco and SuperValu.

. Transferred to this region from So. California to improve customer

relations and profits.

. Profitable growth of 11% after the first 12 months in this position.

. Achieved corporate sales goals and distribution objectives each year.

Southwestern Regional Sales Manager, 1991 - 1994

. Driven Sales Manager in California, Arizona, Nevada and Colorado.

. Managed brokers, distributors, co-manufacturers and direct house

accounts such as Fry's, Smith's, King Sooper, Basha's, Vons and

Ralph's with an overall 24% sales increase.

. Demonstrated professional leadership, written/verbal communication and

analytical skills.

Sorrento Cheese Co.

S. California Sales Manager, 1986 - 1991

. Managed thirteen (13) direct sales reps throughout the Southern

California market.

. Responsible for merchandising, POS/POP support, creating impact

presentations, development/training, pricing strategies, gap analysis

and market share data.

. Training in how to manage, lead and motivate sales people to maintain

peak performance.

. Facilitated and oversaw divisional monthly sales meetings in

coordination with Marketing.

. In addition to managing direct sales team and plan objectives, I was

responsible for account development with Ralphs, Food 4 Less and

Stater Bros.

Education & Training:

. Dale Carnegie - Public Speaking

. Dale Carnegie - Sales Management

. Tim Yoshonis - Effective Merchandising and Selling (1 year mentor

program).

. Proficient in Microsoft Office 2007 and MAC OS.

Contact this candidate