Sales Manager
Resume:
Vince Kendzierski
*******@***.*** **** Benton Road, Lake Villa, IL.
PROFILE
** ***** ** *********** *** diverse experience in marketing, brand
management, product management, product development, trade communication
and promotion of CPG and professional products. Experienced project leader
and motivational team builder. Innovative thinker focused on competitive
differentiation.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
KLEIN TOOLS, INC. - A 153 year old manufacturer of premium quality hand
tools and personal protection equipment for the professional tradesman.
PRODUCT MANAGER
August '06 to August '10
Define product vision, value proposition, positioning, and roadmap for
major categories with annual volume of $100MM. Work closely with Sales to
facilitate training and effective communication of product strategies;
Provide support with product messaging to sales and the marketplace. Become
the internal product expert for major markets. Work with Development,
Operations, and Project Management to ensure development and delivery of
products according to specified timeline and expectation. Be the voice of
the customer internally to ensure customer specifications are met during
development and manage the development of product definitions and
functional requirements.
. Developed and launched innovative Depthfinder Fish Tape product line
- The world's first mass produced laser marked fish tape with sales of
$12MM and capturing 20% market share in year one.
. Developed and launched the Aerohead conduit bender line with sales of
over $3MM in year one.
. Awarded a design patent as co-inventor of the Depthfinder Fish Tape.
NORTHERN ILLINOIS MEDICAL - A high quality service provider of medical
billing and medical claim lifecycle management.
MARKETING MANAGER July '05 to August '06
Cultivate strategic dialogue with clients and identify development
opportunities. Negotiate 3rd party agreements with outside systems and
software providers. Design customized business analysis and metric
reporting tools based on client requirements. Responsible for creative
direction and execution of all marketing communications.
CANDLE CORPORATION OF AMERICA - Candle Corporation of America is a division
of Blyth Inc., A $1.2billion manufacturer and marketer of home decor and
foodservice products.
BRAND MANAGER January '03 to July'05
Brand Management responsibility for the Sterno brand product portfolio and
P&L totaling $50MM. Develop annual strategic plans and brand budget.
Determine positioning, tactical launch plans and communications tools for
new products. Work to build a close relationship with Sales, R&D, Finance
and Operations when leading cross functional initiatives to reach brand
objectives. Led company's New Product Development Team with the main
objective of keeping new product ideas flowing into the pipeline. Manage
one direct report.
. Developed innovative new Sterno Flameless product line with year one
sales of $ 2 Million.
. Researched, developed and launched new line of Emergency products
expanding distribution into new retail category resulting in $ 200,000
of incremental sales in year one.
. Developed and implemented first ever 5 year strategy for the Sterno
consumer brand.
. Successfully launched branded Butane fuel product line within 9 months
expanding distribution into new fuel category and achieving budgeted
sales of $ 600,000 in year one.
WORLD KITCHEN, INC - An $800MM CPG marketer of widely recognized consumer
brands such as Corning Ware, Pyrex, Revere, Corelle, EKCO, Bakers Secret,
OXO and Chicago Cutlery. 1988- 2003
SENIOR PRODUCT MANAGER 2000 to 2003
Manage product portfolio and P&L for several brands totaling $28MM.
Responsible for strategic planning and tactical execution of marketing
plans. Duties include promotional planning, market research analysis,
competitive assessments, product positioning, and communication and
forecast plan development. Conduct annual product introductions and SKU
rationalization.
. Successfully launched Magnalite Classic brand cookware generating over
$5MM sales in year one.
. Represented Sales and Marketing on cross-functional strategic sourcing
team that reduced standard cost purchases on all cookware materials by
$ 3MM.
. Led Revere Cookware revitalization plan - price, position, consumer
research and thorough analysis of competitive brands on time and
within budget.
PRODUCT MANAGER 1996 to 2000
Develop and execute strategic marketing plans for Housewares and stovetop
products with gross sales of $15MM. Focus on core growth of product
assortment and identifying distribution opportunities. Act as liaison with
direct sales and rep groups regarding key account pricing and product
placement. Direct contact and manager of 15 overseas suppliers.
. Launched licensed line of 116 Cuisinart kitchen tools, gadgets,
bakeware and cutlery products. Managed all product issues, packaging
and catalog development. Year one sales of $2MM.
. Managed product development process (from blueprint to retail
packaging) for 110 SKU line extension resulting in $ 800,000
forecasted sales in year one
. Standardized packaging for the Baker's Secret Value Packs program
netting $ 200,000 in annual savings and setting the direction for a
"systematic" approach to the development of new offerings and a
unified retail presentation.
. Developed and managed permanent point-of-purchase display program
rolled out into 1,500 K-Mart stores. Led project from concept to
store level installation.
CHANNEL / CUSTOMER / TRADE MARKETING MANAGER 1992 to 1996
Act as liaison between Business Units and Sales, spearheading the marketing
effort in multiple product categories in $30MM Southeast regional
territory.
. Developed custom corporate brand portfolio that served as inspiration
in landing first major EKCO Cleaning brand account with over $4MM in
annual sales.
. Sole internal marketing contact for $14MM Lowe's Home Center business.
Point person for all internal and external communications.
Implemented logistics and manufacturing solutions, managed product
assortment, pricing and proprietary packaging.
MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR 1988 to 1992
Manage creative input and execution for all corporate print materials,
corrugated and pegboard displays, graphic design work, custom packaging and
photography for all brands and categories.
. Developed point-of-purchase display that was instrumental in securing
a complete kitchenware program in a major national retail chain
resulting in $12MM revenue in year one.
EDUCATION
Triton College, River Grove, IL - A.A.S. Marketing Management Degree - 1992
Experienced user of Microsoft software - Word, Excel, Outlook, Power Point,
Project and Adobe Photoshop 7.0
Certificate in Essentials of Project Management Course - College of Lake
County 2010
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