SUMMARY

Performance-driven professional with **+ years of experience in sales, with a focus in luxury markets. Expertise includes business development, client relationship management, and revenue growth. Possesses a successful track record of leading diverse teams and exceeding revenue targets while promoting a positive culture in work environments. Adept at cultivating relationships with stakeholders and driving organizational growth.

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

Core Competencies: Sales Management, Territory Expansion, Negotiation, Brand Development, Marketing Strategic Partnerships, Training

Technical: CRM (Salesforce), Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google Suite, Social Media

Personal: Detail-Oriented, Team Leader, Problem Solver, Innovative, Creative, Resilient and Adaptable in Fast-Paced Environments

Languages: Native English, Conversational French

Citizenships: US & European Citizen

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Luxury Account Manager

Wine Warehouse / Los Angeles, CA / Oct 2019 – Present

Managed a portfolio of 120+ key client accounts which drove $1M+ in annual revenue for a wine distribution company

Cultivated relationships with executive client stakeholders to drive new business in the luxury category segment

Prospected new accounts to increase market share within the Los Angeles territory; increased revenue by 15%

Trained and educated 40+ sales representatives on imports and domestic fine wines; provided coaching to ensure growth

Expanded client base by 20+ new accounts (hotels, restaurants and retail stores) while maintaining 100% client retention

Collaborated with winery principals (global and domestic) to ensure adherence to brand standards of each client

Planned and executed wine dinners, special events, and tastings with winery principals of top tier accounts

National Sales Manager

Maritime Wine Trading Co / Los Angeles, CA / 2019

Increased sales (19% YTD) by managing and sustaining existing relationships with 50+ distributors across the US ($2M+)

Trained 100+ sales personnel each month on a portfolio of products to maximize sales and business growth

Analyzed prospective accounts to create new business partnerships with regional and national accounts

Created strategic plans, pricing, and incentives in collaboration with regional managers to ensure market performance

President

JLR Champagne and Wine Consulting / USA & Europe / 2013 – 2019

Consulted 10+ champagne houses and 25+ international wineries on branding and business development in the US market

Created innovative brand-specific strategies to strengthen brand positioning by analyzing key competitors

Identified best importers and distributors networks for each client, with revenues of up to $10M+

Fostered relationships with high net worth individuals and educated key influencers (sommeliers, private clientele, distributor/importers)

Notable clients:

San Marzano Wines / USA & Italy

Launched a new brand and subsidiary; developed sales, marketing, and brand positioning strategies for the US market

Opened distribution in New York and New Jersey within the first 2 months; increased sales by 358% across 9 states within the first year

Coordinated weekly sales meetings, brand performance reviews, incentives, and strategies with importers and distributors

Managed a $500K+ activation budget; collaborated with key influencers to increase sales and brand visibility

Forecasted and managed inventory levels for 12 distributors to ensure accuracy of product supply (15+ SKUs)

Negotiated a deal with Henkel-Mionetto USA on a second label, A6Mani, resulting in $500K+ in new revenue

Champagne Lanson / New York, NY

Developed pricing strategies and incentives across 12 key states (NY, NJ, FL, CA, IL, MA, CT, DC, MD, CT, CO, TX)

Constructed detailed business reviews, planning materials, trainings, and key deliverables for distributor meetings

Increased profitability by 16% by analyzing budgets, DAs/GPs, and various business expenses

Utilized sales reporting systems to plan, monitor, report, and analyze business performance against the plan (Trade Pulse, Salesforce, Diver)

Identified strategic brand opportunities by gathering competitor information and made impactful recommendations

Cultivated a private clientele network for Lanson’s older vintages and exclusive products

Assisted with hiring a new sales team in NY, FL and, CA; coached new hires on Champagne sales strategies

Sales Manager, East Coast

Heron Wines / USA / 2014 – 2015

Managed a winery which generated $500K+ revenue throughout 20 States (22 distributors) from Maine to Florida

Achieved 12 % business growth and gained new distribution channels in 15+ Whole Foods stores (Eastern territory)

Assisted in new product development with wines from Napa and Rhone and organized new brand launches

Supported the market and distributors by meeting with the key on/off-premise accounts as well as national accounts

Sales Manager – Florida & Caribbean

Oyster Bay Wines / Miami, FL / 2011 – 2013

Built Oyster Bay to the #1 selling New Zealand brand in FL within a large and competitor heavy distributor, Southern Wine & Spirits

Increased 30% off-premise independent and 40% on-premise in South Florida (FY 2013)

Ranked as top-performer on Chardonnay program; grew off-premise independent 284% and on-premise 325%

Increased business by 168% in off-premise independent and 68% on-premise in South Florida (FY 2012)

Developed Oyster Bay’s total market share to 32% of on-premise business

Grew Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc to the #2 SKU in Milam’s Market and #1 SWS brand

Grew Oyster Bay Off-Premise in South Florida to the # 2 Sauvignon Blanc (Nielsen report)

Performed 114% of goal in FY12 and achieved 100% of goal in FY13

Earned new markets which included Puerto Rico, Bahamas, Turks & Caicos, Cayman Island, USVI, and BVI

Recognized as a Top Performer and Awarded On-Premise Excellence and Must Win Market Performance in FY12 and FY13

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

Account Executive

Premier Beverage / E. & J. Gallo Training Program / Miami, FL / 2010 – 2011

Management Consultant – Telcom, Media & Entertainment

Capgemini/ Atlanta, GA / 2008 – 2010

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS

Clemson University 2008

Bachelor of Science: Marketing Minor: Entrepreneurship Cum Laude

Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Level 3 - Advanced Certification

Jessica L. Rutter

Jessica L. Rutter

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