Chris Merakis

Email: abouyl@r.postjobfree.com

Address: **** ********* *********

City: Brewerton

State: NY

Zip: 13029

Country: USA

Phone: 315-***-****

Skill Level: Director

Salary Range: 90

Primary Skills/Experience:

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Educational Background:

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Job History / Details:

9409 Steamship Manhattan

Brewerton (Syracuse), NY 13029

Phone: 315-***-****

Fax: 315-***-****

Cell: 315-***-****

Email: abouyl@r.postjobfree.com

Chris Merakis

Experience

2010-Present Universal S.p.A. (Carioca) Italian Arts Crafts Company

US Sales Manager

Responsible for the complete operation and organization for the Company, including the Distribution and logistical aspect of the complete product line (over 200 SKUS). Oversee and supervise Rep Organizations who call on every channel of trade (from Specialty to Mass, F D, Club). Develop all Key Account and Major Account programs. Responsible for every aspect of the Company as it relates to the North American Market.

2009-2010 Consulting

2005-2008 Geomag USA(Swiss Toy Company) - New York, NY

VP / Sales Manage and coordinate all Sales functions for US, Canada and Mexico. Responsible for hiring and managing and motivating Rep Groups. Work with Marketing and other cross-functional team members to develop product assortment, pricing strategy as well as marketing plans. Develop promotional and Sales programs for Key Accounts in all classes of trade. Account responsibilities include; Wal-Mart, Target, Kmart, TRU, KB Toys, Meijer, Sams Club, Costco, BJ Wholesale, Bed Bath Beyond along with large Key Accounts, Second Tier retailers, Alternative Channels, Specialty retailers. Total Sales responsibility for all major retailers in all classes of trade. Prospecting for alternate channel opportunities. Attend all industry related trade shows and meetings.

20032005 Knex Industries (Toy Company) Philadelphia, PA

Regional Key Account Manager Responsible for Sales and total Account Management for the Northeast. Called on Buyers at the headquarter level driving sales, distribution, trade spending and promotional activity. Participated in Trade Shows (Toy Fair), and Account specific trade events (Learning Express, FAO Schwarz). Complete Account responsibility, from product/distribution/program/promotion. Created and gained new distribution in alternate channels such as Club, Drug, Grocery, Party Goods, Hobby/Craft, Book Stores, Department Stores. Account responsibility included Learning Express, Boscovs Dept. Stores, Burlington Coat Factory, FAO Schwarz, KB Toys/Etoys Direct (Sears Wishbook), Party City, Rag Shop, Value City, BJ Wholesale, TJ Max, Ross Stores, Bennys. Volume approximately $3.2 million.

20012003 Georgia Pacific (CPG Division) Atlanta, GA

Customer Development Manager Responsible for delivering volume and income plan at Wegmans and Penn Traffic. Managed tactical execution of sales utilizing Best Practices and fact based selling. Total Category Management utilizing sales tools such as AC Nielson/IRI, sales fundamental reports, efficient assortment tools and pro mix. Maximized trade spending efficiency and effective use of Trade Marketing fund management. Utilized syndicated and account data on a regular basis. Volume approximately $7.5 million. Responsible for increasing distribution with account base by gaining 14 new permanent SKUs at retail.

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19982001 Sorbee International (SF Confections) Philadelphia, PA

Region Manager Responsible for sale and management of accounts encompassing the Northeast Region from Minnesota to Virginia to Maine. Responsible for sales and category management of National and Regional accounts in the NE Region. Accounts included Target, Kmart, Meijer, CVS, Rite Aid, BJ Wholesale, Kroger, SuperValu, Safeway, AP, Ahold, Wegmans, Price Chopper, Amway. Responsible for gaining first time distribution at Target, BJ Wholesale, and Amway along with improving the overall sales volume and retail distribution for the Region by 14% to $2.5 million. Responsible for accounts encompassing all classes of trade to include Mass, Drug, Grocery, C-Store, Wholesale. Responsible for the hiring, training and management of extensive Broker network.

19961998 Pinnacle Brands Inc. Dallas, TX Chapter 7

Business Development Manager - Promoted from Key Account Manager Responsible for sales and management of Key Accounts in the New England Region. Accounts included Wegmans, Ahold, Penn Traffic, Price Chopper, Cumberland Farms, AP, Dairy Mart, Wawa, Ames, Mclane NE, Magazine Distributers and DSD store distribution . Called on Buyers at the Headquarter level developing programs and promotions in order to expand and maintain product offering. Worked with several Brokers for retail and follow-up. Developed the Permanent Fixture Display Program for retail to increase incremental sales volume. Consistently #1 in sales quota achievement with volume in excess of $12 million. 1993-1996 Scripto-Tokai Corporation Fontana, CA

Regional Account Manager Responsible for the sale and distribution of writing instruments, disposable lighters and utility lighters to all classes of trade at the headquarter level. Accounts included Penn Traffic, Wegmans, Ahold, Price Chopper, Ames, Wawa, Kwik Fill, Chase Pitkin, Rickels Hardware, Lechters Home Goods, Fays Drugs (Eckerd), Kinney Drugs. Finished # 1 in the Company for sales quota achievement for fiscal 94-95 at 135%. Finished at 125% to sales quota for 95-96. Volume was $2.2 million. Consistently # in quota achievement in the Eastern Region. Awarded the Presidents Club Award for recognition of outstanding sales quota achievement. Developed the Quarterly Shipper Program with several major accounts and increased total volume by 24%.

1986-1993 The Cutting Board Deli Syracuse, NY

Owner/Operator Owned and Operated 125 seat restaurant. Employed 14 people.

1984-1986 Nabisco Brands/Lifesavers Division Newark, NJ

Sales Representative Prepared and presented sales plans to all wholesalers and distributors in Central New York. Managed approximately 150 retail accounts at retail, implementing and maintaining all promotional and merchandising plans for assigned National and Regional chains Leadership role in training all new Sales Reps and also managed and trained all full and part time Merchandisers.

Education

Bachelor of Arts LeMoyne College Syracuse, New York

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