JULIE A. GUENTHER
Email: ****************@*******.*** Phone: 717-***-**** Marietta, PA 17547
SALES AND ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL
Account Management٠ Sales ٠ Promotions ٠ Pricing ٠ Purchasing ٠ Consulting
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
Account Management
Sales
Market Analysis
Forecast & Projections
Inventory Management
Pricing
Promotional Schedules, Programs, & Purchasing
Customer Service
Contributing Writer
Research
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
BrightFarms, Inc. – Northeast Key Account Manager
April 2017 – March 2018
Brightfarms is a startup company that finances, designs, builds, and operates greenhouse farms at or near supermarkets, cutting time, distance, and cost from the produce supply chain.
Managed all accounts serviced by our greenhouse in Yardley, PA and Culpepper, VA; i.e. Ahold, Walmart, Acme, ShopRite and McCaffrey’s. Assisted in the development of our relationship with Walmart and oversaw the test pilot run with their regional stores in our program. Merchandised Walmart sets and managed their inventory and orders for sixteen test stores. Provided detailed numerical analysis to the lead buyers at home office including movement per SKU, sales dollars, individual store performance, markdown, and margin.
Facilitated and strategized the growth plan for our partnership with Acme, ShopRite, McCaffrey’s and other farm-to-table accounts. Maximized our sell-through with varying seasonal yields and found the appropriate outlets for any excess harvested.
Collaborated with our marketing team to design POS materials associated with our key accounts. Staffed demos through various agencies and managed a small team of customer service representatives, contract Brand Ambassadors, and directly supervised our merchandising manager.
Wrote sales projections based off daily and promotional movement in comparison to forecasted yields and packing capabilities. Worked intimately with our operations teams to effectively harvest for our customers’ demand.
Four Seasons Produce, Inc – Organic Pricing and Ads Analyst / Lead Account Manager
January 2012 – April 2017
Four Seasons Produce, Inc. is a full-service wholesaler supplying Organic, Local and Conventional fresh produce to Organic Markets, Food Co-Ops, Independent Retailers, Chain Stores, Juice Bars and other produce buyers in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.
Managed orders, as well as internal sales representatives for several group accounts, which are part of the National Co-op Grocers (NCG) or the Independent Natural Food Retailers Association, as well as MOM’s Organic Market (the leading revenue retail account in the company).
Strategized weekly sales and promotions for MOM’s Organic Market, which currently has seventeen stores in the Mid-Atlantic. Worked intimately with the lead produce and grocery buyers to establish a relationship of trust and open communication for the account. Resolved any logistical, operational, or quality issues. Organized the operations and inventory teams to better service the account through corrective action requests, standard operating procedures, and defined the guidelines for the job description and expectations of the warehouse selectors on the lead retail accounts.
Suggested new items for inventory per the demand of our high-level customers and purchased value-added items to meet their needs. Created additional revenue by changing “pre-order” items to “in stock” and opening up availability coupled with aggressive pricing, which generated more volume. For example, worked with MOM’s Organic Market to take our East Coast Fresh Organic Salsa program from six cases of pre-order per week, to over three hundred in-stock cases per month.
Regularly priced a full-line of organic fresh produce for the company’s natural food stores, cooperatives, organic markets, and independent retailers in the mid-Atlantic and northeast.
Created and launched the first “Organic Produce Weekly Promotion” for these organic-centric retailers. (Movement under this ad went from approximately 600-800 cases per week to 5000-6000 cases per week in three years).
Utilized extensive knowledge of price-points and produce commodities.
Analyzed the organic buyers’ markets, adjusted product pricing according to the inbound product cost, allotted proper pricing per distribution area, and monitored shipped profit per case previews to stay on track with budget requirements.
Assisted in the creation of the seasonal/bi-weekly produce feature suggestions provided to the NCG for their 2016 flyers and marketing campaign.
Presented workshops and seminars to our group accounts offering guidance on how to grow their sales and profit.
Compared competitors’ pricing to ensure our products and customer service remained of good value to our customers.
Worked directly with our digital media and marketing specialist to create POS materials, as well as customized product contests to promote specific lines and growers.
Discussed projected crop availability and utilized ad funds from organizations such as the Northwest Cherry Commission and USA Pears.
Be Wellness Wise - Lancaster, PA / Lake Placid, NY – Founder & Director, Health Coach & author
December 2006 – January 2012
Be Wellness Wise is a health coaching practice that supplemented full-time sales positions over the course of six years.
Motivated clients to take control of their health in order to manage chronic illness, to become aware of the way in which food affects our bodies, as well as gain an overall sense of well-being.
Presented corporate workshops to educate employees on better lifestyle and food options.
Independent contractor for the US National Gymnastic Teams. Worked with young women ages 10-18 in the Lake Placid Olympic Training Center regarding the way in which their food choices affect their level of athletic performance.
Created personalized meal plans for Olympic gymnasts in training.
Contracted by the Institute for Applied Meditation to author “Nourish Your Heart: A Whole Food Approach to Heart Healthy Eating.” – Copyright 2010 by Living Heart Media
Haan Corporation – Lancaster, PA – National Sales Representative
May 2010 – October 2010
The HAAN Corporation is the industry leader in steam-cleaning technology. HAAN developed Smart Steam Technology®, a process by which all products are designed and constructed to ensure the highest standards in engineering, quality, and customer service.
Developed and maintained national accounts including, but not limited to, the Top 100 Retailers in the country. (I.e. Best Buy, HH Gregg, and Sears).
Created presentations and demonstrations for corporate procurement departments and housewares buyers.
Worked in conjunction with our marketing and PR departments to strategize new product development and advertising campaigns for all HAAN products.
Analyzed inventory levels to determine packages and promotions for sell-through of new and remanufactured units and accessories.
Clark Food Service Equipment – Lancaster, PA - Inside Sales Representative and Administrative Sales Support
April 2009 – May 2010
Provided customer support to restaurant managers and placed small-wares and disposables orders for each while maintaining their account history and balance.
Green Circle Organics – Lancaster, PA – Produce Retail Assistant
December 2006 – December 2007
Assisted the owner of a certified organic produce stand at Lancaster’s Central market.
Reprint Management Services – Lancaster, PA – Sales Representative
September 2005 – December 2006 – Sales Representative / Liaison between Customer and Publisher
Managed marketing accounts for industry leaders in engineering, geo-intelligence, construction, nuclear power, and hotel management.
EDUCATION
Millersville University (Graduated December 14, 2003)
Bachelor of Science in Meteorology, focus on Climate Studies and Mathematics
-Panelist for “Women in Math and Science” – empowering young high school women to pursue an education involving mathematics and the sciences
Institute for Integrative Nutrition in affiliation with the Teacher’s College at Columbia University (Graduated June 2007)
Certification in Integrative Nutrition – The study of differing dietary theories, eastern and western nutrition, modern health issues, personal growth and development, and holistic health counseling.
COMMUNITY AND ACTIVITIES
PASA Bike Fresh Bike Local – Captain for cycling team through Four Seasons Produce, Inc. – 2012 and 2013
What in the World? – Lancaster’s North Museum and Ephrata Area School District Career Fair - November 2012. Represented Four Seasons Produce, Inc. at the Career Fair to introduce students to produce distribution.