Sales Manager

Richard C. Benjamin

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

**** ******* *****, *****, ** 55122

Home - 651-***-**** Cell - 651-***-****

Sales and Management Professional

Business Development / Brand Marketing / Sales and Client Service

Skilled at developing and executing targeted business initiatives that

drive customer growth, achieve sales objectives and enhance bottom line

profits in both retail and distributor environments. Highly effective

communicator and team leader with proven ability to build long-term

relationships with internal and external customers by establishing a high

level of confidence and trust. Visionary leader with keen understanding of

business priorities and demonstrated expertise in converting rapidly

advancing business goals into revenue producing activities.

Professional Competencies

Key Account Management

Account Acquisition / Retention Client Service

Customer

Development Product Development

Product Promotion

Distributor Management Budget / Cost

Control Brand Management

Professional Experience

Morton Salt Company - Chicago, IL

North America's leading producer and marketer of salt.

Minnesota Account Executive 2007 -

2008 Managed direct retail delivery sales in the three state areas of

Minnesota, western Wisconsin and northern Iowa in multiple classes of

trade. Primary focus on driving sales growth, increased market share and

increase in store visibility for all channels of business. Built strong

relationships with Key Accounts of Cub Foods, division of Supervalu, Nash

Finch Company plus all grocery, hardware and convenience headquarter calls

through consistent and relevant programming.

Selected Accomplishments:

. 9% increase in revenue for Morton Salt at Major Grocery Group (CUB

Foods) due to their exclusive sale of Morton Salt Ice Control.

. 100% successful sell in "of price increase" which lead to 15% increase

of gross profit margin over previous year for all Direct Store

Delivery accounts.

. Restructured Morton distributor to a brokerage relationship yielded

more than $100,000 savings in the first year.

General Manager Minnesota Salt Service 1994 - 2007

Sales Manager of direct retail sales from the Morton Salt St. Paul

warehouse. Managed and developed local marketing for multiple classes of

trade to achieve sales, distribution and promotional goals. Supervised and

coached one salesperson, telemarketing group, Morton Salt Distributor and

eight drivers delivering salt on multiple Morton Salt tractor/trailers in

the three state area.

Selected Accomplishments:

. Created a marketing plan that stimulated sales from $200,000 to

present sales of $6.5M.

. Two-time Morton Salt Salarium Society winner for outstanding sales in

1996 and 1999.

. Introduced water conditioning and ice control salt product lines into

180 Kwik Trip Stores. Grew sales from zero base to annual sales of

+$500,000.

Account Representative 1988 - 1994

Managed daily operations of a sales territory in Minnesota. Full

responsibility for expense budget and salt sales to retail / wholesale

agriculture, water conditioning, grocery and hardware accounts. Coached and

supervised a Retail Food Broker for grocery channel and a Morton

Agricultural Distributor.

Selected Accomplishments:

. Sold two Premier Water Conditioning dealers on exclusive supply for

their private labels.

. Established ad program on water conditioning products at Nash Finch

Company and Gateway Foods by establishing an accrual fund for ads.

. Successfully increased sales at Morton Distributor by average of 3%

annually by aggressively setting up ads through their customer base.

Harvey - Winchell Company - Hopkins, MN

Minnesota based Specialty Food Broker of Confections covering the states of

Minnesota, North and South Dakota.

Broker Representative 1980 -

1988 Managed a sales territory stretching from Metro

Minneapolis/St. Paul to the states of North Dakota and South Dakota.

Responsible for achieving sales, distribution and promotional goals for 44

manufacturers.

Selected Accomplishments:

. Successfully introduced Snack Food Black & White Generics to Red Owl

and

Supervalu.

. Introduced Private Label coffee filters into White Drug Stores, the

first successful major account sale for the company in this territory.

. Succeeded in selling Ferrero Tic Tac into Superamerica's plan-o-gram

for all stores multi-state.

Education and Training

Minnesota State University - Mankato - B.S. Degree in Business

Administration

. Dale Carnegie Course - Effective Speaking and Human Relations

. Professional Selling Skills

. Systema (Systematic Selling Techniques)

. Total Quality Management Program

. Computer Skills: Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, MEI,

Salesforce.com, Lotus Notes, SVharbor.com, ACT, Nashnet.net

Interests / Affiliations

Minnesota Petroleum Marketers Association

Minnesota Grocers Association

Buick Club of America

Gopher State Buick Club

Life Time Fitness

Interests- Car Shows and Cruises, Golf, Bowling, Football, Antique

Collecting

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