Sales Manager

Mario Arena

Email: abo60e@r.postjobfree.com

Address: * ******* ****** # ***

City: Tarrytown

State: NY

Zip: 10591

Country: USA

Phone: 914-***-****

Skill Level: Management

Salary Range: 100

Primary Skills/Experience:

See Resume

Educational Background:

See Resume

Job History / Details:

Mario J. Arena

1 Central Avenue / Suite 302, Tarrytown, NY 10591 - 914-***-**** (H) - 914-***-**** (C) - abo60e@r.postjobfree.com

Executive Profile

High-performing Executive with 20 years of Food Service Sales & Marketing experience. In-depth knowledge of Food Service operations at all levels. Demonstrated proficiency in staffing, training and development, budgeting and program management.

Skill Highlights

* Leadership/communication skills * Distributor management

* Sales force management & development * Sales forecasting

* Broker Management * Strategic planning and marketing

* Private Label Experience * Financial management

* Experience in selling Wholesale Club`s & C- Store Trade * Certified Executive Chef

Professional Experience

Beyond Main Street Marketing Co. / Culinary Division May 2010 to Current

Director of Sales & Product Development

Tarrytown, NY

Full service Sales & Marketing Agency as well as a Product Development consultant operating on a National level with ties to National Accounts and Regional Chain Accounts within the Foodservice, Retail and C-Store Industry. Representing several Foodservice Companies in the North East marketplace calling on Local and Regional Distributors throughout the North East., Developed entree and side dish programs for two large C-Store Chains. Cumberland Farms and Circle K.and most recently completed private label development deal for an International Food Co. based in NJ that has some of the Nation`s largest Chain Restaurants as their client.

Clients include: Franklin Farms / Veggiland (C-Stores & Foodservice), Castella Imports (C-Stores& National Accts.), Pasta Italiano, WOW Brands Latin Products, White Toque Intl., Nu Life Foods (Gluten Free Frozen Foods), Whitsons Culinary Group (Private Label, Frozen Entrees and Sides) Delicious Bites Co.(Frozen Empanada`s & Latin Specialties), Mrs. Emers Waffles (Retail, C-Store & Foodservice)

National Food Brands Inc. January 2006 to May 2010

Vice President Sales

Ronkonkoma, NY

Manufacturers and Marketers of Private Label and Branded products for the Foodservice, Retail and C-Store Industry. Products included. Branded and Private label Frozen Pizza, Frozen Sandwiches, Entrees, Imported Pasta, Pasta Sauces, Dressings and Marinades.. Areas of focus were Product Development for the Large Foodservice Chains. Sbarro Worldwide was our biggest Client. NFB also operated as a full service Sales and Marketing Company for the Foodservice, C-Store and Retail Industry. Managed a staff of 8 Chef /Sales Professionals .With our excellent manufacturer alliances, NFB brought to the table a broad range food products to meet our customers` needs

Clients included Sbarro, Villa Enterprises, Papa Murphy's, Amtrak, Darden Restaurants Worldwide.

Grant Hanson & Associates May 2002 to December 2005

Vice President of Sales

Cranford, NJ

A multi-state Foodservice Brokerage firm with coverage from New York State through Maryland. Member of Executive Management Team. Managed team of 40 sales professionals. Surpassed revenue goals consistently throughout my tenure. Represented 30 major Foodservice Companies including Campbell's Simplot, Nestle, Stockpot Soups & General Mills / Pillsbury. Developed key relationships at area Distributors, Sysco, US Foods, PFG, Di Carlo Foods, Ace Endico, J.Kings, Roma Foods to name a few. P&L responsibility, sales forecasting and client relations.

The Pillsbury Company April 2000 to May 2002

Region Manager

Minneapolis, MN

Regional Manager for the Foodservice Division Managed 3 Regional Brokers in the New England, NY State & Mid-Atlantic Regions. Responsible for National buying groups PFG, Uni Pro. Managed Regional Chain Accounts (Au'bon Pain, Cosi, Back Bay Restaurant Group) Maintained Distributor relationships within my marketplace, Developed and directed strategy for launch of new product that became #1 in the market place 11 months after launch. Performed Broker reviews, on a qrtly basis. P&L responsibility, worked with a yearly sales budget.

Unilever Best Foods May 1996 to April 2000

Region Manager

Englewood Cliffs, NJ

Managed organization's largest region and performed full sales cycle duties, increasing annual sales by 10%. Built strong Distributor relationships and provided high value-adding services. Established critical alliance with five main Distributor partners (Endico / Snow Fresh, Sysco Metro NY, J.Kings, DiCarlo Foods AFI ) resulting in new product placements and sales growth in my Region. Developed promotional programs to optimize revenue levels. Participated and local and regional distributor food shows.

Unilever / Van den Berg Foods May 1991 to April 1996

Territory Manager

Franklin Park, IL

Responsible for implementing all business-building and relationship-building expectations with uniquely assigned accounts and customers. Communicated regularly with territory, regional and strategic managers for daily support and strategic planning for accounts. Identified and qualified customer needs, developed sales strategies and negotiated and closes profitable projects with a 85% success rate. Consistently hit and exceeded sales goals by 20%. Identified prospective customers using lead generating methods and performing an average of 8 cold calls per day.

BJ`s Wholesale Club February 1988 - March 1991

Assistant Buyer (Foodservice)

Natick, MA

Responsible for all purchasing and product selection functions within my given category. Reported directly to the V.P. of Purchasing. Categories included Candy & Snacks, Oils, Canned Fruits and Vegetables. Worked in concert with the Manufacturers and Brokers to develop promotions and new product development, Interviewed new Manufacturers for potential new products. Managed a support staff of two other replenishment buyers. Accountable for Company set Inventory turns with a bonus tied to achieving those set turns in a given quarter. Proficient in Inventory System and Replenishment Management programs. Managed daily product reports, routing scheduling and accuracy of daily procurement reports.

Education

Johnson & Wales College 1984

Culinary Arts

Associate of Science

Providence, RI

Johnson & Wales College 1986

Hotel Restaurant Management

Bachelor of Science

Providence, RI

Affiliations

American Culinary Federation. Member since 1989

Research Chefs Association - Business Member

NACS National Association of Convenience Stores - Supplier Member

NACUFS - Supplier Member

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