Sales Team Leader

BETH A. KOHNE Springfield, Missouri *****

Cell: 417-***-**** : **********@*****.*** Home: 417-***-**** 1 P a g e

SUMMARY

Accomplished Senior Level Sales Executive with over 10 years’ experience as Executive Vice President of Sales executing national and international sales programs for three divisions; developing strategic market penetration plans; preparing new product rollouts; planning special events; reshaping teams and team processes; and opening national accounts for an industry leader in the floral and home décor industry. The rapid and steady growth in responsibility began with a traditional department store retailer in St. Louis, MO. With a new understanding of the workings of a retail operation, transitioned seamlessly to the sales industry as a Territory Sales Manager then Regional Vice President then Walmart Team Leader moving to Vice President of Key Accounts and finally Executive Vice President of Sales.

Strategic Planning & Execution Walmart Team Leader Sales & Negotiations Sales Team Management & Training Major Account Development Lead Generation Financial Analysis International Sales Brand Launch Marketing Campaigns Process Improvement Event Planning & Execution Customer Service & Relations Territory Management Retail Management PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND SELECTED ACCOMPLISHMENTS Sage & Co., Bolivar, MO

(Premium Brand of Teters Floral Product

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT – Sales 2012–2016

§ Successfully launched a new, premium home décor and seasonal brand, which gained market share into higher end retail channels

§ Grew Sage & Co. sales by establishing a team of more than 50 independent and key account representatives working with over 4000 specialty home décor boutiques, garden centers, interior designers, gift stores, and wholesale florist customers

§ Yielded annual double-digit Sage & Co. sales increases through expert oversight of sales promotions, marketing initiatives, order procedures, and post-show customer follow-up, generated during Atlanta Americas Mart and Dallas World Trade Center key home décor markets

§ Managed sales operating expenses while maximizing revenue and monitoring inventory levels of more than 5000 seasonal and everyday SKUs

§ Negotiated programs with team members and senior buyers to secure new customers including Lowe’s, QVC, At Home, Walmart.com, Sam’s Club, Frontgate, Dillard’s, Balsam Hill, Anthropologie, Pier 1, Ballard Designs, Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, The Home Depot, Wayfair, Amazon and Ralph Lauren Visual

§ Created an Ecommerce Team which established new sales of $1M in less than two years

§ Maintained active involvement with the Chief Executive Officer to execute an initiative, which drove significant reduction in operating expenses and increased EBITDA by $5M in a span of one year

§ Established partnerships with licensees to expand sales in select categories The Creative Connection Limited, Hong Kong

(International Division of Teters Floral Products) EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT – Global Sales 2005–2011

§ Grew direct import business 8% while coordinating insightful management of both Hong Kong and US- based sales teams

§ Implemented action plan to maximize Walmart direct import opportunities

§ Acquired new customers, including Target, Menards, Bed Bath & Beyond, Jo-Ann Fabric & Crafts, Gordmans, TXJ, Old Time Pottery and AC Moore

§ Established processes to ensure success of Social Compliance & Quality Control Audits with overseas factories

§ Enhanced private label sales by collaborating with the Product Development team to create customer specific programs

§ Established strong relationships with customer’s US-based and China based buying and sources teams

§ Sought efficiencies by meeting with factories to understand procurement of raw materials, labor and currency fluctuation challenges, operation logistics and technical advancements in production BETH A. KOHNE Springfield, Missouri 65802

Cell: 417-***-**** : **********@*****.*** Home: 417-***-**** 2 P a g e

Teters Floral Products, Bolivar, MO

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT – National Sales 2005-2011

§ Set in place a monthly review which resulted in landing four of the largest retailers in the US as new customers generated in excess of $1.5M in new business

§ Supervised a monthly review of the store inventory position of SKU’s in our largest customers resulting in replacement orders which increased sales by 10%

§ Responsible for growing the sales team to fifteen internal representatives and 50+ external sales representatives

§ Increased margin dollars of core seasonal product line 5%

§ Creatively worked with inventory specialists to prevent out of season merchandise from languishing in inventory

§ Executed plans to streamline office procedures, which resulted in the reduction of work duplication and operating costs

§ Enhanced sales budgeting process by implementing a customer specific strategic calendar which tracked all milestones beginning with identifying opportunities, trend presentations, product development, costing tactics and logistics

§ Wrote and presented the sales portion of corporate strategic plan to Board of Directors, Bank of America and prospective investors

§ Promoted domestic assembly facility be participating in customer Made in USA initiatives PRIOR EXPERIENCE

TETERS FLORAL PRODUCTS, BOLIVAR, MO

§ Vice President-National Accounts

§ Walmart Team Leader

§ Regional Vice President (Eastern Accounts)

§ Territory Sales Manager

FAMOUS BARR – ST. LOUIS, MO

§ Department Manager

EDUCATION AND CREDENTIALS

Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL

Retail Supply Chain Certification, Retail Industry Leaders Association SKILLED IN

Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Power Point, and Outlook) Oracle CRM Retail Link Grove Site Partners Online

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Xerox PSS II Sales Course Series Charles R. Eitel “Great Game of Life” COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Southwest Missouri Humane Society Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge Castaway Animal Rescue Effort

(C.A.R.E)

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