Christopher J. Carfagna

**** ****** ***** ***** **** 101 Columbus, Ohio 43235 Cell: 614-***-****

Email: ad1p2r@r.postjobfree.com

Career Summary

Seasoned food professional with extensive sales and merchandising experience in gourmet and perishable foods. Strong background as a solutions oriented leader and a team player that is focused on bottom line results.

Professional Experience

Kroger Company

Merchandiser *Dublin, Ohio

2016 - Present

Carfagna Brokerage Inc.

Consultant * Columbus, Ohio

August 2012 – Present

Responsible for key product placement in national grocery chain.

Monitor broker and manufacturer programs to insure inventory fulfillment. Establish lines of communication for product demos and food shows.

Fresh Markets Inc.

Regional Perishable Manager * Columbus, Ohio December 2004 – 2012

Responsible for Protein merchandising in Regional Supermarkets. Execute company’s budget for sales and profits.

Establish vendor supply programs and control all logistics.

Monitor labor and shrink percentage to meet budget and bottom line.

Maintain fresh and wholesome appearance in Meat, Produce and Seafood Departments.

Restaurant Depot

Meat Merchandiser *Columbus, Ohio

Jan 2002 to December 2004

Implemented Company’s policy and meat sales for high volume operation, while controlling expenses and shrink.

Directed merchandising and purchasing from local vendors. Trained all employees in the department.

WILD OATS MARKET

Manager, Meat and Seafood * Columbus, Ohio September 1996 –December 2001

Managed the meat and seafood departments with annual sales of 12 Million dollars Recruited, trained and managed staff for Midwest region of 8 plus stores

Developed training sessions for meat and seafood department employees in customer service, food safety and merchandising.

Exceeded annual sales and profit objectives for five years. Recipient of Corporate Outstanding Service and Profitability awards.

Produced audio-video presentations for incoming department employees on training techniques in merchandising and profit cutting.

Co-authored company handbook on proper sanitizing techniques and procedures and key holder.

CARFAGNA’S Wholesale Meats

Assistant General Manager *Columbus, Ohio May 1974 – June 1996

Supervised and organized inspected wholesale meat operation for H.R.I Distribution from NCW facility.

Directed portion control guidelines and system handling for plant operations along with managing weekly purchasing and pricing programs.

Hired sales and floor personnel for day to day operations and developed employee guidelines on food safety as well as shop labor guides.

Combined wholesale and retail purchasing programs to optimize freshness, lowest cost and highest ROI for over all companies.

Added value –added pork, beef and poultry offerings to wholesale customers not otherwise known to market.

Made key account calls with sales staff to high–end Hotel, Restaurants and Catering companies in local market. Introduced CBA programs as well as hormone and chemical free beef to market.

Responsible for startup and directing sales to 10 Million in 5 yrs.

CARFAGNA’S Supermarkets Inc.

Meat & Seafood Director * Columbus, Ohio

Supervised retail meat and other perishable departments for 3 high volume supermarkets with heavy emphasis on Meats.

Managed day to day operations from purchasing to merchandising and labor controls.

First supermarket to introduce hormone and steroid free beef with exclusive arrangements from cattle producer in Wisconsin.

Partnered with Kohler farms on breed development from two international farms and developed Angus-Chianina beef for exclusive sales in market.

Ran highest volume meat departments in State higher then large chains and independents with 40-50 % of overall store sales distribution.

Maintained high gross profit returns with value added merchandising programs and innovative product roll outs.

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