John Zuluaga

** ************ ** ade40t@r.postjobfree.com

Litchfield, CT 06759 860-***-****

OVERVIEW

Successful sales professional in the beverage and hospitality industry, with experience at all levels of the value chain; supplier, distributor, retailer, having worked for companies large and small with a passion for building specialty and craft brands.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

A Gallo (a division of Star Distributors)• Litchfield, CT 2016-2020 Brand Manager Craft Division

Managed brand portfolio of 80+ brands for Litchfield County for CT’s largest beer distributor responsible for 650,000 CE’s per year

• Led sales team of 8, providing training on brands and sales techniques, setting and tracking various volume, distribution and execution KPIs, and providing consistent feedback via performance reviews and during ride-alongs.

• Managed all supplier relationships working closely with brewery sales management on sales planning, budgeting, activation, inventory management and new product launches.

• Analyzed portfolio performance via sales system, Pro Diver, on a daily, monthly, trimester and yearly basis to ensure all sales targets are being hit.

• Managed all promotional activity including booking and executing all in-store tastings, on-premise events, price promotions, obtaining limited release products and POS materials.

• Covered sales routes on an as needed basis across both on and off premise including chains. Radeberger Gruppe USA/Latis Imports • Norwalk, CT

District Manager, CT/VT (Radeberger USA) 2014-2016 District Manager, Southern New England (Latis Imports) 2012-2013 Brand Development Manager, CT/VT (Latis Imports) 2011-2012 Managed a diverse portfolio across various parts of New England during 5 years starting with Latis Imports (now Swinkels Family Breweries – PALM, Rodenbach, Boon) and then transitioning to Radeberger USA adding Schofferhofer Grapefruit, Clausthaler, Radeberger from Germany

• Managed a distributor network across the New England states, working directly with wholesaler sales teams and senior leadership to build distribution and volume across both on and off premise channels.

• Successfully launched Schofferhofer Grapefruit into Connecticut while growing Radeberger 49% and Clausthaler 19% in 2014.

• Grew PALM to be one of the top on premise brands in Star Distributors footprint by 2012.

• Performed all brand activation programming including beer events/dinners, media events, promotions, tastings and sponsorships.

Manhattan Beer Distributors • Bronx, NY

On-Premise Supervisor (Lower East Side) 2009-2011

Sales Representative (Brooklyn) 2008-2009

Led on premise sales territory for largest beer distributor in NY, with revenues of almost $1billion. Promoted from Sales Representative to On Premise Supervisor after only 1 year. Represented over 100 suppliers including Molson Coors, Constellation, Boston Beer, Mike’s Hard Lemonade and various smaller, local and craft suppliers

• Grew territory into #1 sales team in the entire company for 2010 by opening over 30 new accounts in East Village and Lower East Side.

• Increased distribution of specialty craft and non-alcoholic brands while maintaining and growing core brand distribution and volume.

• As Sales Representative, Increased account base 23% by opening 28 new accounts while maintaining 140+ accounts in Williamsburg/Greenpoint, Brooklyn.

• Awarded “Employee of the Month” for November 2008 out of 1,500 employees. Other Beverage/Hospitality Experience

Wine Consultant / Store Manager • Sip Fine Wine, Brooklyn, NY 2006-2008

• Managed daily operations for high end fine wine shop. Manager / Event Planner • Le Madeleine Bistro, Manhattan, NY 2007-2008

• Supervised waitstaff for busy Times Square bistro while also planning all events. General Manager • Capriccio Restaurant, Brewster, NY 2000-2006

• Supervised entire staff of 20 including hiring, training, scheduling for high end restaurant.

• Controlled all inventory for bar and wine cellar, managed wine list, created cocktail menu and did all wine and liquor buying.

• Booked and organized all private parties, special events and weddings.

• Set up and trained staff on new POS system. Assisted in design and creation of website. Brewery Manager • Brewworks, Hermosa Beach, CA 1995-1997

• Managed daily operations for on premise brewery. International Hospitality Experience

Resort/Spa Manager • Falcon Blanco, Ibiza, Spain 1999-2000

• Managed organic spa/retreat providing a health-oriented lifestyle to vacationers. Bartender, Waiter, DJ • John’s Bar/Cottage Restaurant, Montechorro, Portugal 1998-1999

• Worked in high-volume, high-turnover restaurant and bar. EDUCATION

University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA • 1991-1995 Bachelors Degree of Business Administration. Major: Business Entrepreneur SKILLS

VIP/KARMA Notes, Pro Diver, POS Systems, Microsoft Windows, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Level 1 Cicerone Certified, conversational Spanish

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