John D. Gustafson

www.linkedin.com/in/johngustafson

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

314-***-****

Saint Louis, MO 63124

addwd6@r.postjobfree.com

Senior Sales, Management and Distribution Executive

A Proven Leader in the Beverage Industry With Broad Experience in Diverse Geographies

Accomplished executive with a proven track record of successful strategic and tactical leadership. Visionary and innovative with an optimistic outlook and steadfast commitment to excellence. Expertise in all facets of business with a focus on leadership of sales, marketing and distribution channels. Recognized maximizing results and driving business success through world-class customer service. Adept at leading a large organization to increase sales volume, grow market share, and consistently achieve profitability targets.

Areas of Expertise

·Strategic Planning & Execution

·Sales & Operations Management

·Sales, Marketing & Pricing Strategy

·Customer Service & Relations

·Financial ( P&L) Management

·Team Leadership and Motivation

·Supplier and Retailer Relationships

·Warehousing/Logistics/ Distribution

·Business Planning and Analysis

Selected Career Highlights

·A proven record of success in the beer industry with career advancement from entry level marketer to several V.P. & General Manager roles at major wholesale and distribution operations for a portfolio of the world’s best known, most valuable brands.

·Successfully led crisis management and disaster recovery from catastrophic losses from Hurricane Katrina, including employee retention, warehouse destruction, inventory losses, and account losses; maintained customer service and grew market share.

Professional Experience

Summit Distributing—St. Louis, MO June 2019 to present

Operations Manager

Ran day-to-day Warehouse Operations for MillerCoors multi brand distribution center

Rent-A-Relative—St. Louis, MO 2015 to May 2019

Operations Manager/Owner

Operate a premier transportation service catering to the older adult and retirement community. Arrange for ride service to and from medical appointments and other personal needs for older citizens whose driving abilities are compromised. Maintain fleet of vehicles in optimal condition to adequately meet our needs. Made sales calls to the retirement/assisted care locations in the St. Louis area in order to build business.

Glazer’s of Shreveport—Shreveport, LA 2013 to 2015

Malt Division Manager

Responsible for providing leadership to sales and sales support team in Northwest Louisiana dealing with multiple suppliers including MillerCoors, HUSA, Pabst Brewing Company, Gambrinus. Gained share of market in depressed economy.

·Started company with 11 openings out of 33 positions and all those I hired are still with the company.

·Established excellent relationships with all supplier representatives.

Rex Distributing Company, Inc. – Gulfport, Mississippi

1998 to 2012

An independent distributor of Anheuser-Busch (A-B) and craft beers.

General Manager (2001 to 2012)

Provided leadership and direction to a team of 115 total employees servicing 1,000 retail accounts, and generating over $60 million in annual gross revenue from the sale of 3.4 million beverage cases on Mississippi’s Gulf Coast. Managed all strategic tactical planning and execution, day-to-day sales and operations, and business relationship with Anheuser-Busch.

·Managed P&L and directed strategy and execution to achieve goals in the areas of sales, marketing, operations, distribution, logistics, finance, labor, human resources, organization, and customer service.

·Grew annual sales 20+% from 2.8 to 3.4 million cases, and grew market share from 55% to ~64%; won numerous operational and sales awards from A-BI for growing targeted brands and executing designated Key Performance Indicators.

·Maximized organizational effectiveness with effective recruitment, hiring, training, motivating and reviewing personnel to represent brands at excellence and activate all programs at the highest quality.

·Built relationships and interacted directly with key retailers and chain management personnel during account calls at major retailers and venues including Pantry/Kangaroo, Wal-Mart, Winn-Dixie, Clark Oil Company, Mirage, Harrah’s. Boyd Gaming and other national, regional and local chain customers.

·Led company during and after the chaotic Hurricane Katrina disaster, maintained employee base and executed sales increased despite a loss of almost 80% of customer base.

·Developed the plan, and implemented decision to carry non A-B brands including Mike’s, Four Loko and Joose without compromising focus on the key Anheuser-Busch portfolio.

Sales Manager (1998 to 2001)

Promoted to lead sales initiatives and provide guidance to sales representatives to increase sales and distribution.

·Developed, trained, coached and motivated, a team of 83 sales, sales team leaders, supervisors, delivery and merchandising personnel to develop and implement programs to increase distribution, grow sales and profitability, point-of-sale placement, share of taps, and ad placements.

·Fostered and maintained retailer relationships through regular account calls and exceptional customer service.

John D. Gustafson

LaGrange Grocery Company dba Royal Beverage Company – LaGrange, Georgia & Lanett, Alabama

1989 to 1997

An independent distributor of Anheuser-Busch products serving adjoining markets in two states.

Vice President of Operations / Successor Manager (1990 to 1997) Sales Manager (1989 to 1990)

Provided leadership and direction to a team of 40+ employees servicing 500 retail accounts, and generating over $15 million in annual gross revenue; managed day-to-day operations and complexities of a main and satellite distribution facility location.

·Grew total annual sales by a combined 15% from 875,000 cases in 1989 to 1 million cases in 1997.

·Led initiatives and provided guidance to increase sales and distribution to a Sr. Sales Supervisor, 2 Sales Supervisors, 2 Warehouse Managers, and 4 Warehouse personnel supporting 9 sales routes in Georgia and two routes in Alabama.

·Developed annual and five year business plans for both operations, and served as liaison with Anheuser-Busch personnel.

·Oversaw chain account relationships, and managed two different pricing and discount structures.

·Achieved and maintained the Ambassador level in the A-B Dimensions of Excellence program at the Alabama location having to present documentation and operational structures to regional evaluation teams.

·Originally recruited as Sales Manager to lead 10 Sales Reps., 3 Sales Supervisors and 4 Marketing Sales and Support Reps.

Smoot Wholesale Company – Tarboro, North Carolina

1987 to 1989

An independent distributor of Anheuser-Busch products providing excellent sales and service to 400 retail accounts.

Vice President of Operations / Successor Manager

Recruited from Anheuser-Busch to manage all day-to-day operations and plan for future purchase of the business.

·Directed and managed sales, marketing, warehousing, logistics, and delivery for a 750,000 case beverage wholesaler; helped build the business into a dominant position, growing from 625,000 to 750,000 cases annually.

·Approved as a buyer of the operation with financing assistance from Anheuser-Busch; transaction fell-through due to uncontrollable circumstances from discovery of leaking underground fuel tanks which hampered financing plans.

Anheuser-Busch, Inc.

1978 to 1987

World’s largest brewer, producing and marketing the world’s best-selling beers including Budweiser and Bud Light.

Senior District Manager – Nashville, Tennessee (1984 to 1987)

Promoted and relocated to manage key pricing, sales, marketing and distribution of A-B products working closely with 5 wholesalers to sell and service 3,000+ retail accounts, selling 5 million cases of beer and generating $75+ million in annual sales.

·Provided direction and leadership to wholesalers to maximize brand awareness, distribution, sales and market share growth through communication of region priorities, sell-in of A-B programs and development of annual business plan.

·Performed regular market visits to coach and motivate wholesaler sales teams, and conduct annual wholesaler assessments to ensure compliance with Equity Agreement; built relationships with key retail accounts.

·Adapted marketing strategies to customize national promotions to address local dynamics and manage execution of all national, regional and local sales, marketing, operations, compliance and excellence programs.

·Again, chosen by company Senior Management to work new brand and compliance activities in key markets throughout the United States.

District Manager – Greenville, North Carolina (1979 to 1984)

·Promoted to provide oversight, strategy and leadership to grow sales, distribution and market share for the A-BI brand portfolio working with wholesalers to implement and execute marketing programs, promotions and pricing plans.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Major: Marketing Management (1977)

University of Missouri Columbia

Volunteer / Community Activities

Board of Directors, Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center f Fundraiser, – African American Community f Mississippi Malt Beverage Association Committee Member – Mississippi Gulf Coast Blues Commission f Member, Historical Ocean Springs Association Member Gulf Coast Running Club, Clayton/Ladue Rotary Club Sergeant-At-Arms

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