SA L I. MERCH N
**** ** *** *** ** Apt. ***, Miami, FL, 33193
787-***-**** ? *.*******@*****.***
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
Highly qualified Regional Commercial Director and General Manager with
solid background in international and domestic sales, marketing and
business development within consumer goods industries (food, health and
personal care). Extensive P&L experience within the Latin America and the
Caribbean markets. Excellent relations with Puerto Rico's trade and
commerce key players. Bilingual in Spanish and English.
New Market Development Results Oriented
Strategic Partnership Business Plan Development
Business Turnaround International Commerce
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
LOS CIDRINES, INC, Arecibo, PR 2012 - Present
Commercial Director - Puerto Rico
Responsible for developing and managing all sales strategies and plans, new
business development; identify and develop new products through internal
innovation or co packing, diversify revenue growth acquiring the exclusive
distribution of other brands.
Selected Achievements:
> Successfully introduced the new "full baked" product line in over 426 new
accounts in less than 8 months
> Developed a DSD division and distribution company growing volume 322%
> Acquired the exclusive distribution of different brands lines such as;
Knotts Cookies (USA), Balconi (Italy), Balocco (Italy) and Docile
(Brazil).
> Restructured the sales department, improving customer satisfaction
CARIBBEAN BRAND DEVELOPMENT, INC. San Juan, Puerto Rico 2009 - 2012
CARIBBEAN BRAND DEVELOPMENT, INC, San Juan, PR
2009 - 2012
General Manager /Owner
Responsible for this new business startup, including developing the right
business model and strategies, to the introduction of represented imported
personal care brands in the Puerto Rico market.
Selected Achievements:
> Got approval as vendor for Walmart and Sam's
> Successfully introduced over 52 products in Walmart in less than one year
> Gained 50% of the "bath & body" category in Walmart from day one.
> Successfully introduced the Aromasense (Colombia) and Mattel brands in
three of the top 5 clothing and accessories consignees.
> Introduced Arrurru (Colombia) and Mattel (Barbie and Hot Wheels) in some
of the top supermarkets chains, including Econo supermarkets.
ALBERTO CULVER, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico 2006 - 2009
(Acquired by Unilever)
General Manager - Andean Pact, Central America and Caribbean
Responsible for developing and implementing strategies and plans for the
Central America, Andean Countries and Caribbean region. Full P&L
responsibility. Led all sales and marketing efforts in 34 countries.
Directly supervised 7 managers overseeing duties and responsibilities of
over 140 employees.
Selected Achievements:
> Achieved a strong business turnaround resulting in $7 million positive
profitability swing within three years, shifting from red numbers in 2006
to becoming the highest profitable region for Latin America in 2009, and
contributing with over 59% of the total Latin America profitability.
> Led the 2008 downsizing and shut-down of the Puerto Rico Manufacturing
Plant and Commercial Offices, assigning the commercial business to a
distributor for the Puerto Rico market, achieving an 18% volume growth
and doubling profitability during 2009.
> Successfully simplified distributors' network, reducing distributors
within the Region from 72 to 45 by eliminating licensee model and
assigning master distributors to cover small markets.
> Developed and implemented a new export structure and strategy generating
28% growth in Net Sales.
KELLOGG CARIBBEAN, Guaynabo, PR 2003 - 2006
Commercial Director - Puerto Rico &
Rest of Caribbean
Retained to direct all strategic sales and business planning upon
acquisition of Keebler by Kellogg. Led sales and marketing efforts in 22
Caribbean countries. Directly supervised 5 managers, overseeing duties and
responsibilities of 83 employees in Sales, Trade Marketing and Promotions.
Sales volume of around $120 million.
Selected Achievements:
> Achieved the lead position in the Cereal Bar Category in less than six
months from 22% to 62% value share. As a result we received the K Award
for Best commercial and Marketing Plan.
> Successfully reversed the trends of ready-to-eat cereals, recovering
market share month after month, achieving 54% value share, highest in the
last three years, mostly due a stronger shopper activity and implementing
the best practices learned from Keebler to the ready to eat cereals, over
250 end caps were installed in most major supermarkets.
> Created a Trade Marketing department which was a major contributor in
achieving 11.3% total sales growth during 2005 and 15.1% 2006.
> Export sales to Caribbean markets grew an average of 28% due to new
export sales structure and a more strategic market approach.
KEEBLER PUERTO RICO, Bayam n, Puerto Rico 1990 - 2003
(Acquired by Kellogg Company)
General Manager - Latin America (1998 - 2003)
Promoted to undertake the general management of the Puerto Rican
subsidiary, along with regional sales direction. Accountable for all
initiatives related to P&L. Continued leading market penetration efforts
to introduce Keebler in Latin America. Managed international alliances and
co-packing agreements.
Selected Achievements:
> Directed the Keebler brand growth from the fourth biscuit brand in Puerto
Rico to a solid number two, growing from generating $8.9 million in 1996
to over $26 million in 2005.
> Designed and implemented a DSD operation system with 37 routes in 2005,
achieving $12 million in incremental sales.
> Designed and developed various products through a locally developed co-
packer network, also created and developed the "El Duende" brand which
contributed to nearly $4 million a year.
> Successfully negotiated the acquisition (law 75) of the Sunshine Biscuits
business in Puerto Rico during 1998.
> Accomplished an 83% profit improvement in 1996, received the Outstanding
Profit Performance Award.
> Successfully implemented the SAP system in PR including the use of
handheld terminals for order processing.
Regional Sales Director of Latin America (1996 - 1998)
Responsible for developing and implementing market penetration strategies
and plans for the Central America, Andean Countries and Caribbean region.
Managed international alliances and co-packing agreements.
Selected Achievements:
> Successfully launched Keebler in Colombia and Panama
> Increased sales in Dominican Republic by 37.7% within first year
> Participated in the start-up of distribution efforts in Mexico and Costa
Rica
Sales Manager - Puerto Rico & Rest of Caribbean (1993 -
1996)
Responsible for developing and executing all sales and marketing strategies
and plans for Puerto Rico and other Caribbean markets.
Selected Achievements:
> Restructured sales force to a more Key Account/trade marketing approach
> Positioned Keebler Export Sodas as the No. 1 brand in the market.
> Launched Export Sodas foil pack in PR achieving 80% of expected annual
sales in first trimester.
> Significantly lowered amount of outstanding accounts taking DOS from 47
to 36.
EDUCATION
ICESI University, Cali, Colombia
Bachelor Degree in Business Administration