JAMES T. ERGEN

JAMES

**** **** ******** ****** ********, Illinois 60025

847-***-**** cell abij07@r.postjobfree.com

SENIOR SALES EXECUTIVE

Seasoned sales professional with over 25 years of proven expertise in the food industry.

In the role of outstanding performer, displays exceptional talent and drive for building

client base and customer maintenance. Extreme dedicated focus on maximizing revenues

and increasing firm profitability. As high-performance account manager, develop

promotional and sales strategies, and lead national sales team in the successful

implementation of programs to expand market share and increase brand awareness.

CORE COMPETENTCIES

Client networking, management and relationship building

Researching micro and macro markets to gain customer intimacy to develop customized

sales strategies

Optimizing new and existing channels

Developing and implementing product line promotions and programs

Developing new product lines and categories

Negotiations of distributor partnerships and contracts

Advertising and merchandising

Direction and management of sales staff

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

NATIONAL SALES MANAGER

IMPERIAL FOOD SERVICE SOUTH ELGIN, ILLINOIS October 2009-Present

A preferred vendor for the U.S. government supplying foods for the military, both domestic and

overseas with sales in excess of $80 million.

Responsible for national business development with national retail supermarket chains.

NATIONAL CORPORATE ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

DIETZ & WATSON PHILADELPHIA, PA April 2006-October 2009

A national leader in the premium deli meat and cheese industry with 3 manufacturing plants with sales in

excess of $350 million.

Responsible for regional business development and sales strategies. Accountable for sales in excess of $40

million (est. 2009)

SALES AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

• Manage the Giant Eagle account on a corporate level. Responsible for designing and

implementing programs to help increase top-line sales and bottom-line profits. Design a weekly promotional

calendar for print advertising.

• Manage the brokers, distributors and accounts in the Midwestern part of the country.

Targeted strong retailers such as Meijer and Roundy’s. Manage Lipari Foods Distributor which covers a 10

state radius.

• Manage and develop the private label business for Aldi, US. Responsible for the development

and implementation of private label meat items in this 1,000 store chain.

• Develop and maintain a strong professional relationship with new and existing customers.

NATIONAL CORPORATE ACCOUNT MANAGER

GEORGE E.DELALLO COMPANY GREENSBURG, PA July 1996-April 2006

National specialty foods importer.

Responsible for regional and nation-wide business development and sales and marketing strategies.

Tasked with expanding the grocery and perishable portfolio through the building of new and existing client

base. Accountable for sales in excess of $25 million (est. 2006).

JAMES T. ERGEN PAGE 2

• Solely manage the single largest profit entity in the company (Giant Eagle olive and

antipasto business)

• Sole representative and negotiator on multiple accounts.

• Manage, coordinate and attend all national food trade shows to increase brand awareness and

initiate potential networks.

• Design and implement a national grocery program for national retailers.

• Breakdown and analyze Excel spreadsheet periodic revenue and market data to determine

seasonal, regional, and product line trends to develop quarterly forecasts and to devise customized regional

and national weekly, monthly and quarterly promotions and discounts to increase brand awareness and market

penetration.

• Research and analyze new and existing markets to develop and promote new food categories

• Engage in channel expansion and brand education through client relationship building.

• Design and implement a national incentive program for our national perishable regional

managers. The program is a volume-based program where the managers can obtain incentives based on

increases over the previous year. I built in an accrual program for the retailer that is also based on volume

increases. Total national perishable business has increased over 60% in the last year.

• Main point of contact for national and regional sales representatives, responding to and providing

information regarding new promotions and direction for the implementation of new programs.

• Interface daily with national and regional sales representatives to maintain finger on pulse, gain

understanding of market trends and competitor tactics.

• Conduct initial recruiting and hiring of sales and management personnel.

CO-MANAGER

THE FOOD GALLERY MCMURRAY, PA March 1995-June 1996

6 store upscale specialty foods retailer with sales in excess of $20 million annually per store.

Manage daily operations and maintain profitability for this grocery store with $20 million in annual sales.

GENERAL MANAGER

FOODLAND IMPERIAL, PA May 1975 – December 1994

Responsible for managing all facets of the business including financial, personnel and business

development activities for estimated $7 -$8 million in annual sales.

EDUCATION:

THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY, University Park, PA 9/79 – 3/82

Excellent References Furnished Upon Request

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