Sales Customer Service

SOMER OBERNAUER, JR.

*** ******** ***** • Pittsburgh, PA 15215 • Phone: 412-***-**** • *********.*****@*****.***

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

Senior operating executive with full strategic planning and P&L management experience; energetic and forward-thinking

professional offering extensive cross-functional qualifications with operational leadership expertise to build value for diverse

organizations. Successfully ran family-owned business creating market acceptance of products while achieving strong financial

results. Extensive history of meeting customer needs and exceeding personal and company goals. Established leadership skills

with an aptitude for motivating teams. Excellent analytical skills focused on marketing, new product development, fiscal

management and sales.

● Strategic & Operational Planning ● Marketing & Brand Development

● Sales Management ● Forecasting & Budgeting

● Business Development ● New Product Development & Introduction

SELECTED ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Marketing Management

• Managed the buying and merchandising function for both floral supply and the gourmet food division.

• Guided the production and distribution of all marketing material and promotional items, involving procurement, budget

management and communication with multiple vendors and customers.

• Evaluated product mix, placement, presentation strategies to improve sales and profitability performance.

• Established pricing guidelines, sales objectives, program and inventory turn objectives to maximize profit potential and

business objectives.

• Interacted with sales force and vendors to develop sales plans and promotions that meet both organizations' goals and

objectives.

• Developed primary supply position with State of North Carolina Department of Corrections, to supply prison

commissaries.

• Negotiated long-term supply position with 1-800 Flowers, a leader in the retail floral industry.

• Contracted with vendors to reduce costs of promotions and to maximize sales and profit.

• Coordinated a wide variety of projects, including development of the company website and publication of annual

merchandise catalog.

• Worked with advertising agencies to create and coordinate advertising in regional and national magazines and websites.

• Developed inbound and outbound logistics procedures resulting in better tracking of merchandise.

Sales & Customer Service

• Consistently increased revenue through after-sale follow-up, winning referrals and repeat business.

• Increased floral sales an average of 10% annually by adjusting in-stock inventory, creating attractive merchandise

displays, strategically placing key items and providing high-quality customer service.

• Devised marketing strategy and promotional materials for the company’s sales force.

• Developed and implemented customer service procedures and policies.

• Established weekly, monthly and annual goals for sales team.

• Planned and conducted presentations to sales and marketing staff; oversaw sales promotions, product development,

packaging and delivery.

• Coordinated semi-annual educational workshops and seminars for customers.

Business Development

• Acquired Apex Gift Foods in 2001, expanding existing floral customer base and developing new markets.

• Transformed company from regional to national supplier resulting in an average 22% increase in annual gourmet food

sales.

• Created and developed new product lines and packaging for gourmet foods items.

• Developed and implemented cross-marketing plan between divisions in 2004.

• Introduced finished product division in 2006 for Apex Gift Foods.

Procurement & Negotiation

• Selected merchandise for floral and gourmet food divisions; negotiated contract pricing with vendors resulting in cost

reductions of 2-3% annually.

• Procured domestic and international products securing the best possible price in order to pass savings along to

customers.

• Attended industry trade shows and contacted vendors for special sourcing of products and identified new industry trends

for customers.

Management & Operations

• Managed a $4.5M annual budget that included operations, human resources, sales and marketing.

• Created work flows and accompanying documents to support the creation, trafficking and art release for marketing and

promotional projects.

• Analyzed and evaluated all aspects of purchasing, inventory planning, stock replenishment, expense control and facility

management.

• Created employee handbook in compliance with current federal and state rules and regulations.

• Familiar with import/export procedures and customs; extensive domestic industry contacts with vendors, suppliers,

manufacturers and distributors.

• Evaluated and administered insurance plans including healthcare, disability, and company liability policies.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Keystone Ribbon & Floral Supply Inc., Pittsburgh, PA 1980-2010

Apex Gift Foods, Pittsburgh, PA. 2001-2010

Owner

• Established and nurtured key contacts with retail and wholesale operations on local, regional and national levels.

• Recruited, trained, developed and managed a staff of 12-20 fulltime and 20+ seasonal employees.

• Positioned company as a leader in the floral and gourmet industries by conducting research and market analysis.

• Finalized sale of company in 2010.

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science, Marketing & Business Administration, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN (1980)

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