Sales Executive

ANDREW SAFINA, **-** Manhattan Beach Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

Phone - 213-***-**** . Email - **********@***.***

PROFILE

> Sales and Business Development professional with focused experience in

specialty food products, including imported premium and gourmet product

lines.

> Expertise in market research; product line development; identification of

customer base; and relationship management of client, distributor, and

broker accounts.

> Proven experience developing and growing the Western U.S. territory;

ability to train sales representatives on various product lines;

consulted on and sourced for new product introductions; designed points

of sale presentations.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

SPECIALTY CONSULTING COMPANY, Los Angeles, CA.

6/2009 - Present

Marketing Consultant

. Develop marketing strategies for small specialty food companies

. Identify and call on end users and food service distributors

. Assist company in introducing products into the California market

. Assist client in sourcing new products

Coast Packing Company, Los Angeles,

CA 11/2007

- 4/2009

Manufacturers Representative - Southern California

. Responsible for direct sales and maintaining distributor network;

increased sales by 25%

. Plan development for new customers in the food

manufacturers, bakeries and distributors industries

. Marketed a high end shortening product line

ROSARIO'S EPICUREO LTD, New York, NY and Culver City, CA

6/1984 - 11/2007

Sales Executive, Culver City, CA

. Opened west coast branch office located in Los Angeles; operated as semi-

independent importer-distributor.

. Devised and implemented Los Angeles specific sales strategies growing to

25% of Company's sales within 3 years.

. Responsibilities included brand development accomplished by trade shows

promotions, restaurant events, charity promotions and in-store

demonstrations.

. Opened and maintained ~1500 accounts specializing in restaurants, hotels,

specialty food stores and supermarkets.

. Developed retail line that opened an entirely new market resulting in 15%

of total sales.

. Consulted on and sourced new products. First company to directly import

frozen porcini from China resulting in major increase in sales.

. Expanded and controlled a distributor network of approximately 50 active

distributors in the west coast territory.

. Introduced retail line of truffle products to the west coast; worked with

retailers designing marketing strategies and points of sale; consulted on

in-store product placement.

. Hired and trained west coast sales force; introduced marketing strategies

to east coast sales force; managed employee relations issues.

. Consulted on menus relating to new products showing end-users how to get

added value and higher menu prices.

. Responsible for major expansion in Las Vegas market creating $400,000 in

sales for company from the Bellagio Hotel alone; approved vendor for MGM,

Park Place and Harrah's. In addition had approx. 50 active independent

restaurant accounts.

Sales Executive, New York, NY

. Acted as General Manager & Sales Rep. for start-up Company. Developed

nationwide restaurant accounts.

. Expanded knowledge base on branding styles and methods and led public

relations activities.

. Managed all day-to-day operations including employee relations;

invoicing; record keeping; logistical delivery scheduling; returns and

commission structure.

EDUCATION -- Bachelor of Arts, State University of New York, New York

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