Sales Manager

JULIE HIRSH

*** ***** ****** ***** ******* Grove, IL 60089 847-***-****

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

SUMMARY

Dynamic professional with over 14 years of event planning, sales and

marketing experience within highly competitive industrial distribution,

office supply and food/hospitality industries

Passionate marketer with talent for creating top-rate programs including

Grainger's long-standing NASCAR sponsorship with Greg Biffle which has been

acknowledged as one of the most successful in racing history

Trusted business partner with a tireless commitment to quality and service

having worked with decentralized client populations of up to 250

Innovative event planner with a record of success in creating and executing

hundreds of high-impact promotional and corporate events hosting up to 500

guests with overall budgets of up to $11.5MM

Highly collaborative leader with experience gaining sponsorship and

alignment from populations of up to 15,000

EXPERIENCE

JHIRSH Marketing and Events

Consultant

Present

Create and implement marketing programs, Events and PR opportunities

designed to help organizations exceed their business objectives.

Services include evaluating existing programs, launching new programs

and planning & executing events.

Clients include companies and non-profit associations.

ACCO BRANDS, Lincolnshire, IL 2006 - 2009

Alternative Markets Channel Manager, 2009

Created and executed channel and product marketing strategies to develop

alternative channels for 50 of ACCO's traditional products - projected

revenues for new business were $20MM

Led a cross-functional team of 10 to establish sourcing, purchasing, system

and logistical procedures required to integrate $6MM Derwent art pencil

line within established U.S. distribution channels

Established preliminary retail partnerships with Costco, Sam's Club and

Barnes & Noble

Created brand new distribution channels for 15 traditional products

targeting the $200MM craft and scrapbooking markets - initiated redesign of

product packaging to reflect a more creative image to consumers

Co-led all planning and partner development for newly conceived

charitable initiative designed to raise money for Autism Cares through sale

of products manufactured by the National Institute of the Blind

Wilson Jones Channel Marketing Manager, 2006 - 2009

Oversaw all planning, promotions and distribution for $90MM bindery

category serving major commercial accounts including Office Depot,

OfficeMax, Staples and Corporate Express - includes full P&L responsibility

Maintained exceptional partnerships with 250 distributors, Trimega and

IS, having personally visited over 50 customers annually across remote

U.S. locations -maintained 100% of clients and have consistently grown

business 5% annually

Significantly improved category performance of Office Depot's bindery

business by 40% in six months through an innovative combination of product

mix, signage and merchandising strategies

Introduced new colors, adult fashion products and matching accessories

increasing market basket by more than 50% with no adverse impact to core

bindery sales

Successfully managed transition of $12MM wholesale and independent

business from key competitor within first six months - recognized for

ability to quickly understand and navigate a highly complex matrix

structure. Primary contact for SP Richards, United Stationers and BPGI

buying groups for bindery.

Researched top six competitive brands developing high impact marketing

sell sheets and cross-reference materials for 300 SKUs effectively

preparing 340 sales representatives and distributors for launch

Developed a comprehensive marketing launch kit setting company standard

for future introductions

Influenced the commissioning of a 15-member cross functional team to

investigate and resolve inherited quality and service issues

KABOBS, INC, Chicago, IL 2005 - 2006

Regional Sales Manager

Recruited to turnaround an underperforming $3MM Midwest eight-state

territory for an upscale food production company based out of Atlanta -

territory included the most competitive markets in the U.S.

Grew region's business by 46% over 18 months improving ranking from last to

fifth just prior to acquisition

Designed and executed region's first-ever training strategy building

expertise and sales depth across nine dedicated distributors and 70 sales

representatives

Developed a simple, but innovative tasting sheet significantly improving

sales process resulting in an expanded presence in a highly competitive

Chicago market

Acquired over 40 new clients through trade show connections and customer

referrals including a premier win with six Indiana casinos - increased

revenues from $8K to $120K through minority-owned distributor

Won competitive business with a top distributor resulting in $70,000 in

sales within first three months

GRAINGER INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY, Lake Forest, IL 1994 - 2004

Events Manager, 1999 - 2004

Market Consultant, 1996 - 1999

Customer Specialist, 1994 - 1996

Led all aspects of event planning and coordination for high-visibility

NASCAR Sponsorship program, the company's largest integrated marketing

communications strategy with annual budget of $11.5MM

Successfully revamped program creating 'once in a lifetime' experiences for

most valued customers and key accounts while simultaneously integrating

Grainger brand prominently throughout the program

Planned, coordinated and managed over 200 annual trackside events, branch

open houses, customer appreciation dinners and employee events hosting up

to 500 guests throughout Craftsman Truck, Busch and Cup series

Successfully managed all planning and execution for the Grainger 225 race,

the company's first-ever title sponsored race, hosting over 30,000 race

fans in Colorado

Recruited and oversaw volunteer event teams of up to 10 ensuring world-

class execution and service

Managed all communication and coordination with Greg Biffle, Grainger's

long-standing sponsored driver, earning recognition as one of the best

partnerships in NASCAR history

Championed Grainger brand throughout all hospitality, open house and race

car collateral delivering a compelling presence within the NASCAR community

Influenced decision to prominently display Grainger's most recognizable

marketing image, its red shipping box, directly on the race car

Communicated daily with key sales leaders across most major markets

consulting on guest selection for major events and promoting strong

regional presence

Negotiated and consolidated printing, shipping and promotional giveaway

vendors reducing costs by up to 20%

Successfully evolved program developing a strong sense of ownership and

pride across the employee community

Initiated and partnered with Roush Racing to outsource merchandising

program reducing annual losses by $400,000

EDUCATION

NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY - Chicago, IL, 1993

Bachelor of Arts and Science

MEMBERSHIPS

National Association of Female Executives, Member

Chicago Meetings and Events Industry, Member

Event Peeps, Member

Experiential Marketing, Member

Shopper Insights and Marketing Professionals Networking Group, Member

Linked-In Executive Suite, Member

Contact this candidate