Chris Gupton

**** ********* **

Waxhaw, NC *****

864-***-****

ad05h8@r.postjobfree.com

SALES LEADER

Consumer Packaged Goods

Performance driven sales professional with critical experience leading sales efforts for consumer-packaged companies. Extensive background that demonstrates ability to manage complex business challenges, evaluate productivity initiatives and implement operational plans designed to exceed productivity goals. Passionate, persuasive leading field sales, category management teams and cross functional teams that encourages growth of the brands. Talented in developing and nurturing customer relationships. Skilled in directing and leading organizational change. Experience with the following large format customers: Food Lion, Publix, Harris Teeter, MDI, Ingles, Food City, SEG, W Lee Flowers and Piggly Wiggly Charleston.

Core Qualifications

Sales & Marketing

Strategic Business Planning

Generate New Business

Supply Chain / Logistics

Merchandising

Distribution Expansion

POS Merchandising Programs

Product Development

New Item Introduction

Understanding of the P/L

Budgeting and Forecasting

Key Customer Relationships

Professional Experience

Nabisco, Charlotte, NC June 2023 - Present

CUSTOMER SALES MERCHANDISER

Carry out in store visits according to Mondelez visit method to cover any sales related issues.

Order product (via iPad tablet) for shelf display to insure stock conditions.

Ensure Nabisco leading brands (Oreo, Ritz, Chips Ahoy, Triscuits among others) are well represented, stocked, and maintained through the implantation of Mondelez guidelines for merchandising.

Enhance seasonal sales, seasonal displays, and new product launches with store manager.

Track any issues with the store manager keeping in mind that safety is first and foremost.

Advantage Solutions, Charlotte, NC 2022 – 2023

Leading provider of outsourced sales and marketing solutions to consumer goods companies and retailers

CLIENT SERVICES MANAGER (2/2022 – 1/2023)

Responsible for the sales of major large format customers that includes frozen and fluid items.

Have responsibilities within the execution of strategic plans, business plans, budgeting

Execute new strategic initiatives for the account or the assigned categories

Responsible for representing 18 manufactures

PET Dairy, Charlotte, NC 2019 – 2022

For more than 85 years, PET Dairy has manufactured a wide range of dairy products fresh from dairies located throughout the southeastern U.S.

SALES MANAGER (7/2019 – 1/2022)

Responsible for the sales of major large format customers that includes frozen and fluid items.

Presented promotional calendars, new items and suggested planogram changes

Provided POS materials to help generate sales

Handled resets and new store openings

Managed broker network

Dean Foods, Charlotte, NC 2011 – 2019

Dean Foods was an American food and beverage company and the largest dairy company in the United States. The company's products included milk, ice cream, dairy products, cheese, juice, and teas. It processed milk in the United States under a number of regional and national brands.

DIRECTOR OF SALES – ICE CREAM (7/2015 – 7/2019)

Responsible for leading the portfolio of Dean Foods Ice Cream business in the Southeast in all retail formats with annual sales of $500 million

Build annual operating plans by division and region

Provide direct input to the P&L for the region

Expanded portfolio to other regions in the country

Integrated sister companies’ brand into the South Region portfolio

Execute and develop sales strategies for each of the individual brands

Work directly with cross functional teams delivering sales and margin targets

Establish branded trade guidelines for customer promotional calendars

Prepare presentations for sales/broker teams to deliver new items and annual plans

Manage various formats of customers ranging from warehouse, DSD and distributors

Communicate clear direction in a timely manner to a diverse range of stakeholders

Manage a broker network

Use syndicated data to identify new opportunities and adjust to make annual plans

DIRECTOR OF SALES – LARGE FORMAT (3/2013 – 7/2015)

Expanded business by 35MM gallons or $400 million dollars

Expanded ice cream business in over 800 stores

Managed promotional process from the planning stage to execution to meet both internal and customer demands

Collaborated in Joint Business Plans

Worked with Supply Chain/Logistics in a Cross Functional manner

Managed 3rd party warehouse that supplied retailer

Built strong customer relations to become preferred vendor of choice

DIRECTOR OF SALES – ICE CREAM (3/2011 – 3/2013)

Responsible for leading the portfolio of Dean Foods Ice Cream business in the Southeast in all retail formats with annual sales of $400 million

Build annual operating plans by division and group

Provide direct input to the P&L for the region

Execute and develop sales strategies for each of the individual brands

Work directly with cross functional teams delivering sales and margin targets

Establish branded trade guidelines for customer promotional calendars

Prepare presentations for sales/broker teams to deliver new items and annual plans

Manage various formats of customers ranging from warehouse, DSD and distributors

Communicate clear direction in a timely manner to a diverse range of stakeholders

Manage a broker network

Use syndicated data to identify new opportunities and adjust to make annual plans

PET Dairy, Charlotte, NC 2000 – 2011

For more than 85 years, PET Dairy has manufactured a wide range of dairy products fresh from dairies located throughout the southeastern U.S.

SALES MANAGER – LARGE FORMAT (10/2009 – 3/2011)

Lead the PET Ice Cream division which is $125 million in sales developing programs to deliver annual operating income.

Develop promotional plan approach and rate guidance

Build key account plans and new item presentations

Manage broker network

Disseminate information from ice cream leadership

Ongoing market and store rides with key account managers

KEY ACCOUNT MANAGER (4/2000 – 10/2009)

Responsible for the sales of major large format customers that includes frozen and fluid items.

Presented promotional calendars, new items and suggested planogram changes

Handled resets and new store openings, as well as providing POS materials to generate sales

Managed broker network

Nestle USA, Greenville, SC 1996 – 2000

150 years of expertise in nutrition, health and wellness.

KEY ACCOUNT MANAGER (4/1996 – 4/2000)

Responsible for sales in for all Nestle products at BI-LO and Ingles stores.

Built relationships at store level to ensure 100% distribution of products.

Gained additional space on high volume items as well as obtaining secondary placement for sale items

Built relationship with all departments within the chain

IAMS PET FOOD, Greenville, SC 1994 – 1996

Iams Company is a manufacturer of premium dog and cat foods which are distributed only through veterinarians, animal breeders, and specialty pet stores.

ACCOUNT MANAGER (1/1994 – 4/1996)

Managed territory calling on chain stores, independent stores, veterinarians and kennels

Responsible for managing budget and operating expenses

Responsible for continually rebuilding displays for seasonal items, new items,

Work closely with distributor and customer to build inventory and displays

Acosta Sales, Greenville, SC 1994 – 1996

Acosta is an integrated sales and marketing services provider that enables consumer packaged goods brands and retailers to win in the modern marketplace by delivering progressive solutions and exceptional service.

TERRITORY MANAGER (1/1994 – 4/1996)

Called on 150 BI-LO stores making sure the brands represented had 100% ACV

Performed demos, product transfers and participated in new store openings

Trained store personnel to properly manage their grocery department

Designed an in-house training program for merchandisers

Conducted sales calls to Buyers, to set up promotions, report sales numbers,

store trainings and planogram improvements based on sales

Education

Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida

Bachelor of Science-Management

Central Florida Community College, Ocala, Florida

Associates of Arts

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