Sales Management

LINDA S. MUELLER

** **** *****, ********, ** ****8

618-***-**** (Cell)

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

SUMMARY

Dedicated results-driven Executive with extensive financial, analytical and

general business management experience. Strengths include:

( Strategic Planning, Budgeting & Forecasting ( Senior Level

Decision Advisement

( Proactive Financial Analysis & Modeling ( Sales, Profit &

Efficiency Improvements

( Management Reporting & Interpretation ( Capital

Expenditure Management

( Cross-Functional Team Building & Leadership ( Broad

Organizational Insight

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

SARA LEE CORPORATION, Downers Grove, IL

2004 - 2008

Vice President, Finance Strategy, North America (2008)

Vice President, Finance Strategy, Food & Beverage Division (2005 - 2008)

The North America Division of Sara Lee is a $6+ billion manufacturer,

marketer and distributor of fresh, refrigerated and frozen branded and

private label food products sold through all sales channels. Brands

include Sara Lee, Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farm, Ball Park and Senseo.

. Direct report to SVP/CFO of Sara Lee North America. Provided

extensive financial advisement to the EVP/CEO and other Senior

Divisional and Corporate Executives on all aspects of the business.

. Drove development, execution and analysis of strategic plan,

supporting annual business plan and monthly forecasting throughout the

organization

. Project lead in Sara Lee transformation consolidation process,

including identification and implementation of "best in class"

financial and management reporting and planning systems, analytical

and benchmarking methodologies, Divisional structure and staffing,

process development and procedure design

. Provided consolidated management reporting, scorecarding, competitive

analysis, results analysis and business decision making and support

. Responsible for the identification, communication and cross-functional

management of operational and financial risks and opportunities

. Led analysis of $30+ million capital spend supporting construction of

Kitchens of Sara Lee

. Financial leader on cross-functional team responsible for the

identification, execution and tracking of operational cost savings of

$32 million in 2008

Director of Finance, Warehouse Division, Sara Lee Bakery Group (2004)

The Warehouse Division of the Sara Lee Bakery Group was a $0.8 billion

dollar international Division consisting of all sales channels of branded

frozen desserts, private label dough and co-pack businesses.

. Direct report to Sara Lee SVP/CFO of the Bakery Group, with strong

dotted line reporting relationship to Divisional GM / President.

. Responsible for the full financial management, control, compliance and

leadership of all Divisional business segments, functional groups and

facilities

. Reduced forecasting prep time by 50% while significantly improving

forecasting accuracy

. Developed customer and SKU profitability models applied throughout

Sara Lee Bakery Group

. Key financial lead in strategic proposal reviews including expansion

into the UK and offshore manufacturing

LINDA S. MUELLER

Page Two

AURORA FOODS INCORPORATED, St. Louis, MO

1995 - 2004

Vice President, Financial Planning & Analysis (2001 - 2004)

Director of Budgeting & Planning (1997 - 2001)

Manager of Budgeting & Planning (1995 - 1997)

Aurora Foods Inc. was a $1.0+ billion manufacturer, marketer and

distributor of branded and private label frozen and shelf stable food

products sold through all classes of trade. Key brands included Duncan

Hines, Van de Kamp's, Mrs. Paul's, Lender's, Aunt Jemima, Log Cabin, Mrs.

Butterworth's and Celeste.

. Direct report to the EVP/CFO, with dotted line reporting relationship

to CEO/Chairman and COO/President. Strong partnership with all Senior

Executives and key investors. Member of Senior Leadership Team.

"Face of Finance" business partner to all functional groups,

manufacturing facilities and organizational levels.

. Played key financial leadership role in company's evolvement from $150

million private seafood start-up company to $1 billion public company

achieved through organic growth, customer, product and geographic

expansion and acquisitions

. Developed and implemented Hyperion as primary reporting, planning and

analytical tool

. Provided financial analysis and advisement resulting in Aurora's 20+%

sales growth at Wal-Mart

. With Sales & Marketing, reduced trade spending by $25 million annually

through evaluation of pricing, strategies & initiatives

. Finance lead in team project responsible for reduction in number of

SKUs by over 15% through in-depth SKU rationalization project

. Drove economic feasibility of manufacturing syrup in-house versus co-

pack, resulting in savings of $8 million annually

. Spearheaded operating finance exit strategy responsibilities,

including due diligence, with multiple potential buyers, consultants,

investor groups and financial institutions

PET INCORPORATED, St. Louis, MO

1978 - 1995 (Includes employment while a student)

Manager of Financial Planning & Analysis, Mexican Foods (1991 - 1995)

Product Accountant, Mexican Foods (1989 - 1991)

Pet Inc. was a $1.6 billion manufacturer, marketer and distributor of

frozen and shelf-stable food products. Brands included Old El Paso,

Progresso, B&M, Downyflake and Pet-Ritz sold via all sales channels.

. Direct report to the VP Operations Control & Analysis, with strong

dotted line reporting relationship to the Divisional President

. Reviewed the economic feasibility of proposed new products, including

Thick 'n Chunky Picante and Homestyle Salsa, with year one sales in

excess of $20 million

. Alerted brand management to impact of anticipated raw material cost

increases, allowing time to implement offsetting actions, avoiding a

multi-million dollar profit hit

Senior Cost Accountant and Cost Accountant (1978 - 1987)

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

( Maryville University, St. Louis, MO - Bachelor's Degree, plus 20

additional hours, 3.83 GPA,

Magna cum Laude, 1983

( Graduate of numerous Executive finance and management seminars

( Member of FENG (Financial Executives Networking Group) and other

professional organizations

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