Sales Manager
Resume:
ROBERT A. KOHLMANN
Huntington Beach, CA 92646
714-***-**** ********.******@*****.*** (page 1 of 2)
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Eighteen years of successful and effective Sales Management, Merchandising, Marketing and Operations experience in
consumer products with a proven record of increasing market share while driving net profit. Extensive experience in the
Hardware/Home Center, Mass Merchant, Food/Drug, Specialty and Wholesale trade channels. Offer strong business
background combined with excellent leadership, organizational, interpersonal, and team building skills necessary to achieve
both short and long term corporate goals and objectives.
Sales Leadership Strategic Planning Packaging and Merchandising
Product Development Market Research Competitive Analysis
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Titan Safety Products, Inc., Santa Ana, CA 2001 to 2009
Titan Safety Products, Inc. (operated by the same corporate owners of Mega Marketing) is a start-up company that designs,
develops, distributes and sells the most technologically advanced wireless home safety, security and leak mitigation
products for the consumer and commercial market segments.
GENERAL MANAGER
Manage and direct all areas of sales, marketing, product development, sourcing and packaging for the company on a
regional, national and global basis.
Secured manufacturing agreement to our specifications with a reputable wireless electronics company in Taiwan.
Implemented effective cost down management initiative, reducing COGS by 30%.
Established national sales team to grow our plumbing wholesale supply distribution to plumbers, contractors and
builders.
Secured strategic trading relationships with world class retailers in the Hardware/Home Improvement, Mass Merchant,
and Wholesale trade channels.
Negotiated corporate contract with the largest plumbing wholesale supplier in the U.S.
TLR, INC.. dba Mega Marketing, Santa Ana, CA 2001-2007
Mega Marketing was a retail sales, merchandising and reset company specializing in Millworks, Building Materials and
Lumber products in the Hardware/Home Center trade channel.
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Directly oversaw the day to day operations of all departments within the organization; including Sales, Merchandising,
Finance, Human Resource and I.T.
Successfully implemented an exit strategy to sell existing contract to help fund new start-up company, Titan Safety
Products, Inc.
Expanded Capital Project Resets to include Hardware, Storage and Garden product categories (+40% revenue)
Improved employee retention, decreased turnover by 20%.
GENERAL MANAGER
Secured Sales, Merchandising and Reset contract with the world’s largest home improvement retailer for 450 stores in
13 states.
Successfully ramped up and staffed entire operational infrastructure (35 to over 200 employees in 90 days). Capacities
included Director of Field Operations, Regional Managers, District Managers, Field Merchandisers, H.R. and I.T.
Increased annual sales revenue from $4.5M to $16.0M.
ROBERT A. KOHLMANN
20751 Elizabeth Lane
Huntington Beach, CA 92646
714-***-**** ********.******@*****.*** (page 2 of 2)
The Stanley Works, Inc., Tools/Hardware Division, New Britain, CT 1999-2001
The Stanley Works, Inc. is a leading worldwide manufacturer and marketer of tools, hardware and specialty hardware
products for home improvement, consumer, industrial and professional use.
GLOBAL MARKETING MANAGER
Managed $100M Hand Tools and Mechanics Tools marketing programs for Wal*Mart stores.
Increased SGM by 4%, quarter 4, 2001 versus quarter 3, 2001.
2002 promotional plans demonstrated incremental sales by 40% and SGM by 4%.
Implemented new product development through domestic and off-shore manufacturing, pricing and pricing.
Coordinated product/promotional launch plans in conjunction with Inventory Management, Customer Service,
Packaging Engineering, Product Line Management and Logistics.
DIRECTOR OF SALES
Managed the Builders Hardware program for The Home Depot stores in North America.
Directed a team of 5 National Account Managers and multiple sales/service agencies
Cost of annual sales for retail execution reduced, resulting in cumulative savings of $500K.
Exceeded corporate sales objective by 50% in 2000 (total volume $75M).
Implemented complete sales plan which increased fill-rates YTD from 90 to 98% and comparable store sales by 10%.
REGIONAL SALES MANAGER
Responsibility included management of Hardware, Hand Tools, and Bostitch for the West and Northwest regions.
Increased 2nd half sales volume by 20% to plan via complete category management.
Interviewed, hired and trained a national merchandising sales team to execute the hardware business at retail.
Rubbermaid, Inc., Home Products Division, Wooster, OH 1995-1999
Rubbermaid, Inc. is a manufacturer of durable housewares in home and garden, seasonal and commercial products.
NATIONAL ACCOUNT MANAGER
Managed Rubbermaid Specialty, Commercial, Cleaning/Maintenance and Home Products Divisions for The Home Depot.
Instrumental in activating a 40 SKU commercial cleaning program in the western division Home Depot stores
Exceeded 1996, 1997 and 1998 volume objective (annual volume $25M)
Managed two (2) full-time sales representatives
KEY ACCOUNT MANAGER
Responsibility included regional supermarket and wholesale accounts including Ralphs, Vons and Lucky’s.
Corporate sales objective exceeded by 12%, up 25% to prior year.
Attended 1995 winners trip based on position performance to objective and M.B.O.’s.
Western Publishing Co., (Golden Books), Racine, WI 1990-1995
Western Publishing Co. was a leading publisher of children’s books, puzzles and entertainment products (licensing entities
included Disney, Sesame Street, comic books, etc.) marketed under the Little Golden Books name.
KEY ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE, AREA MERCHANDISING MANAGER
Managed the sales of children’s books in the grocery, toy, wholesale distribution and specialty trades.
Sales volume $4.5M, 32% increase over prior year objective of 18%.
Hired trained and motivated 5 Merchandising Supervisors and 100 Merchandisers in the Midwest region.
Achieved lowest turnover rate company-wide and met cost to sell objective of 5-7%.
EDUCATION
Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois, Bachelor of Arts, Liberal Arts & Sciences
Contact this candidate