ROBERT BURG

** ********* **** ***** *******, MA *1864 978-***-**** ad1rbs@r.postjobfree.com

www.linkedin.com/in/poultryman

FOODSERVICE SALES MANAGER

New Business Development – Relationship Equity – Client Retention – Increased Market Share

Accomplished professional experienced in winning, reviving, and expanding key accounts, opening new markets, and forging long-term customer relationships in highly-competitive market. Background includes: product line development, broker management, and sales management for national and distributor brands. A proven leader; combines wealth of industry contacts with successful record of performance at Sysco, US Foodservice, and Reinhart distributors. Former restaurant owner; works with clients to reduce costs while increasing company profits.

Core Competencies

Marketing Strategies – Business Diversification – Key Account Management – Product Development – Budgeting

Distribution Channels – P & L Responsibilities – Sales Infrastructure – Cost Controls – Negotiation Skills – Deadlines

Interpersonal Skills – Clear Communication Skills – Train, Mentor & Motivate – Team Building – Best Practices

Professional Experience

The Grateful Burger, LLC; Beverly, MA April to Present

Startup Company: The blending whole muscle chuck with fresh vegetables/mushrooms, herbs, grains & spice. The benefit is a burger that contains less fat & sodium and sustainability.

Shortly after joining the Grateful Burger I opened 3 points of distribution and 3 second tier distributor to by-pass the push back from the broad line distributors.

Segment selling, clearly the GBC fits in higher education & private schools.

Accomplishments; Harvard, Brown, Bridgewater St. Williams College, Holy Cross BB&N, Philips Andover and NHH we all accounts established by me. More pending.

SUN ORCHARD JUICE CO., Headquarters: Tempe, AZ Feb 2013 to Dec 2013 An independently owned micro-juicery crafting premium, all-natural juices for national market

Regional Sales Manager / Territory: Atlantic Seaboard

Developed new business, revived dormant accounts, and worked with key account marketing associates, and chain account calls; strategized with marketing team on methods to increase market share and new product rollouts; conducted sales meetings, training seminars, and educated over 100 salespeople and category managers on the features and benefits of each product.

•Revived and managed 8 Sysco Foods distributors, 7 US Foods accounts, and 5 Reinhart units.

•Negotiated local marketing agreements and reviewed quarterly numbers and growth.

•Interviewed, hired, and trained two foodservice food brokers; managed a 3rd broker covering the Baltimore / Washington DC market.

•Made product placements outside broad line distributor arena while targeting strong 2nd tier and specialty produce distributors.

•Achieved 15% growth target to surpass corporate goal by 7% within 10-month period.

NATALIE’S ORCHID ISLAND JUICE COMPANY, Headquarters: Fort Pierce, FL Mar 2011 to Dec 2012

National brand featuring hand-picked, fresh-squeezed juices

Territory Sales Management / Northeast: New England, Southern and Upstate New York

Performed following duties concurrently: business development, key account management, broker management, and distribution.

Oversaw growth in market share via direct contact with end users, chain accounts, new distribution channels, matrix evaluation, and considerable relationship equity; made notable impact despite 4% industry downturn.

Studied field and accurately pinpointed markets where product was in high demand.

Added 6 new points of distribution within the New England market.

Continued growth in all industry segments, including retail, industrial sales, B & I, education and healthcare.

Developed alcoholic beverage segment using pure fruit juices to complement martini & sangria recipes.

Oversaw distribution of all major broad line and specialty distributors and all major produce houses within territory.

Key achievements include:

oBroker Accounts: JOH, Billerica, MA; and Yankee Marketers, Middleton, MA.

oB & I Accounts penetrated: Centerplate, Guggenheimer, Catamount Food Service, and Premier.

oMulti-unit Accounts: Legal Seafood, Au Bon Pain, Bruegger’s Bagels, and Walgreens, among others.

oNew Accounts: Trader Joe’s, Motto Soda Co., Hans Kissle, Stonewall Kitchen, and Kettle Cuisine.

oRetail Accounts: Stop & Shop, Shaws, Crosby’s Markets, Roche Brothers, and Market Basket, among others.

ROBERT BURG PAGE TWO

INFINITY FOODS, Stoughton, MA 2009 to Mar 2011

Regional Sales Manager

Managed sales on overruns and #2 products from leading National Manufactures; developed employee feeding programs at all major hotels to improve food cost.

Worked with chefs on how to seamlessly blend in # 2 products into menu concepts.

Lower end buffets and weddings were a good use of overruns since the products were all sound.

Reviewed menus with the food service director and made suggestions on when and where food cost could be reduced.

Reduced average food costs by 16 % when applied correctly.

JAFCO FOODS, INC / Gourmet Specialty Foods, North Andover, MA 2008 to 2009

Offers food manufacturers’ overrun and secondary market items at a value price to the national food service industry

Regional Account Manager / Territory: New England

Cultivated new business and revitalized dormant accounts by instructing operators on cost-reducing benefits of using seconds and overruns; expanded role to include service of both retail and foodservice accounts.

Reactivated 13 accounts, opened 6 new distribution points, and grew sales by 30% within first six months of hire.

Developed menu analysis to help operators reduce costs by selecting alternative protein items; cost reduction: 30%.

Established employee feeding program within hotel segment; reduced operating costs by upward of 35%.

Acted as R&D consultant for new product, Ian’s Natural Foods; developed gluten-free, ABF chicken and beef skewered products utilizing gluten-free marinades.

Developed blueprint for contract feeders.

Created need for foodservice segment at Jafco’s sister company, Gourmet Specialty Foods; opened up new markets, initiated programs, and increased company revenues by offering clients reduced labor costs and consistency of product.

BRAKEBUSH BROTHERS, headquartered in Westfield, WI 2001 to 2008

Company specializing in supplying chicken and chicken products nationally, since 1925

Territory Sales Manager / Territory: Metro Boston, North to NH, South to the Cape, Springfield, and Worcester

Oversaw the daily sales operations; targeted market at all levels of foodservice, including full-line and second-tier distribution, retail, and chain accounts businesses. Ensured product was positioned at premium level and marketed accordingly.

Grew business by 19% and 19.4% within first two years of hire.

Established nine new distribution points within first 36 months of hire, 2001-2003.

Earned Territory Sales Manager of the Year award out of 80 candidates, 2002.

Won numerous quarterly “Pacesetter” awards throughout 7-year tenure.

Developed retail / delicatessen program for industry leaders such as Stop & Shop, Star / Shaws, and Market Basket.

E.L. COONEY, Braintree, MA 1996 to 2001

New England’s leading broker in wholesaler food products

Account Executive / Territory: New England

Managed and grew all key accounts throughout New England, including all bakery-related products, meat market vendors, jobbers, and full service “A” accounts, as well as self-operating college, university, and hospital accounts.

Appointed to the “A” Team of 5 key account executives who represented 80% of business.

Achieved numerous line extensions, forced distribution, slot management, and new product placements.

Earned recognitions such as Outstanding Sales Penetration for New Products, and Nestles / Stouffers’ Salesperson of the Year award.

Served as member of product development team, and committee member for all prospective new lines.

Education Business Administration Program, Northeastern University, Boston, MA

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