Kevin L. Forrest

Winston-Salem, NC ***** • ac0gby@r.postjobfree.com • 336-***-****

VP OF OPERATIONS/DISTRICT SALES MANAGER

An accomplished Operations Executive and Sales Manager with more than 14 years of experience managing a family-owned foodservice company, with expertise in procurement, marketing, and distribution of exclusive branded merchandise and consumer goods. An analytical thinker who evaluates consumer sales, trends, and competitor pricing to create marketing and promotional strategies to drive revenue growth. A strategic planner and respected leader who implements solutions to reduce costs, optimize processes, improve sales performance, and align marketing strategies with business goals in order to maximize profitability.

Key Competencies

Procurement & Supply Chain Management

Retail & Wholesale Merchandising

Vendor Negotiations

Cross-Functional Team Leadership

Market Research & Competitor Analysis

Performance Management

P&L, Budgeting, & Financial Management

Distribution & Logistics

Operations Management

Process Optimization

Contract Negotiations

Vendor Relations

Category Management

Articulate Communication

Professional Experience

MERCHANTS FOODSERVICE, Hattiesburg, MS, 2016-Present

District Sales Manager

Evaluate sales history, research competitors, and analyze market trends in order to create strategic business growth plans for sales managers in order to set revenue targets for sales representatives within their respective markets.

Select Contributions:

Maximize profitability and drive business growth by developing sales tools to identify top performing products, determine areas for organic growth, and evaluate gross profit generated by exclusive brands.

Optimize sales team performance through ongoing training, incentives, and coaching based on strategy and objectives supported by sales analysis.

EG FORREST COMPANY, INC., Winston-Salem, NC, 2002-2016

Vice President of Operations and Procurement (2010-2016)

Oversee daily operations including administration, purchasing, marketing, transportation/logistics, warehouse operations, and information systems.

Administration: Managed Asset Based Lending (ABL) Line of Credit for $5MM in perishable/non-perishable inventory and receivables. Analyzed the value of inventory/receivables to determine Loan-to-Value (LTV) ratio and borrowing capacity.

Select Contributions:

Negotiated a lucrative asset purchase agreement to finalize the sale of EG Forrest in collaboration with a private advisor after creating a consolidated business summary to measure the company’s financial performance.

Purchasing: Led a procurement department of seven with $65MM annual buy while managing vendor relationships to secure competitive pricing, quality products and preferred service.

Select Contributions:

Optimized supply sources and ensured appropriate inventory investment to maximize working capital returns while maintaining service levels in excess of 99.7%.

Marketing: Directed marketing initiatives to develop long and short-term marketing plans for category management, merchandising, and pricing to support sales and revenue objectives.

Select Contributions:

Generated $2.6MM in annual net revenue additions by implementing marketing rebates and customer program incentives.

Transportation/Logistics: Oversaw 25 transportation specialists for the delivery and administration of products to approximately 200 customer locations daily in compliance with federal/state motor carrier regulations.

Select Contributions:

Maximized inbound freight profitability and timely delivery of goods by developing strategic partnerships with various carriers.

Warehouse Operations: Supervised 24 multi-shift warehouse employees in multiple facilities while maintaining OSHA federal/state requirements to ensure employee safety, regulatory compliance, and food safety standards.

Select Contributions:

Achieved a 99.7% order fill rate by implementing BFC Dakota Warehouse Management System to track real time inventory levels and FIFO inventory rotation.

Information Systems: Responsible for all information technology resources and personnel in the oversight of an AS400 environment with Data Tech, Power Sell, Smart Dock, Truck Builder, Dakota WMS, and MS Office.

Buyer (2004-2010)

Maintained inventory supply sources according to ever-changing market demand, organizational needs, and service-level targets. Constantly monitored existing lines to satisfy demand and evaluate profitability margins.

Select Contributions:

Reduced costs and maximized profitability by researching the food commodity markets and negotiating competitive pricing through carefully sourced vendors.

Improved sales team performance by planning promotions in conjunction with marketing and sales departments. Participated in meetings, seminars, and food shows to promote new products.

Marketing (2003-2004)

Established strategic marketing plans to achieve corporate objectives for product and service sales, which included maintaining a database to track sales promotions, rebates, and sales spiffs.

Select Contributions:

Generated new business and drove revenue growth by overseeing promotional activities, including print advertisements, merchandise, and trade shows.

District Sales Representative (2002-2003)

Managed a territory with annual sales of $2MM by utilizing knowledge of products, pricing, delivery schedules, and company policies to create comprehensive business growth plans in order to increase market penetration and accurately forecast long-term customer growth.

Select Contributions:

Reduced delivery expenditures for accounts and maximized profitability by analyzing sales history, account receivables, competitor pricing, and market trends.

Education, Skills, & Professional Associations

Bachelor of Science, Economics & Business, East Carolina University, Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity

Board Member, EG Forrest Company, Inc., 2012-2016

Board Member, Better Business Bureau (Winston-Salem), 2013-2015

Technical Skills: MS Office, AS4000, Powersell, Warehouse Management Software, SutiExpense, Meal Ticket

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