Antonio Di Rende

Lakewood Ranch, FL ***** 1-941-***-**** adg6pn@r.postjobfree.com

Professional Summary

Experienced product specialist with over 15 years of experience in Italian Specialty foods. Excellent reputation for resolving problems, improving customer satisfaction, and driving overall operational improvements. Consistently saved costs while increasing profits and also detail-oriented with extensive knowledge of specialty food products and social media marketing. Dynamic individual with proven history of innovative and effective marketing. Committed to accurate and detailed research.

Skills

Inventory Tracking

Merchandising displays

Competitive Pricing

Price tagging and shelf labeling

Merchandising operations

Sales analysis

Reliable and punctual

Vendor relations

Product inventory counts

Retail sales professional

15 years in purchasing

Pricing controls

Product knowledge

Stocking and replenishing

Merchandising plan creation

Brand alignment

Seasonal campaigns

Work History

Senior Product Specialist, 10/2018 to Current

Mediterraneo Italian Imports – Sarasota, FL

Assisted with demonstrations for Italian Specialty food products to showcase functionality.

Researched product's technical specifications and accurately communicated information.

Continually expanded knowledge of Italian Specialty product line.

Assisted customers with product needs and introduced new store offerings.

Demonstrated products to help customers try out offerings before making purchases.

Attended trainings and workshops to learn about new products and then shared this information with customers.

Established long term customer relationships by using effective communication and active listening skills.

Optimized advertising efforts by developing content for media relations, corporate communications and social media posts.

Identified appropriate marketing channels and target customers for campaigns.

Managed full-cycle marketing and advertising strategies including estimating costs, managing resource allocation and adjusting production schedules.

Studied demographic data to determine optimal targets, competitor offerings and tactics for persuasion.

Maximized advertising efforts by developing content for media relations, corporate communications and social media posts.

Forecasted marketing trends based on previous data to adjust campaigns and maximize sales.

Informed supervisors and company leaders on markets and regional sales needs to best meet customer needs and maximize revenue.

Collected customer feedback data using various research methods to broaden results and optimize marketing strategies.

Mentored and guided executive team during business development decision-making to optimize profitability, marketing strategy and communications planning.

Business Owner/Operator, 09/2006 to 10/2018

Piccolo Italian Market & Deli – Sarasota, FL

Founded and managed an Italian Deli business, growing international revenue from $40000 to $250000 in first year and to $600000 within 10 years.

Created and monitored social media promotional approaches to increase sales and profit levels 45%.

Reduced personnel turnover and promoted employee development by recruiting team-oriented candidates and implementing new training practices.

Recruited, hired and trained initial personnel, working to establish key internal functions and outline scope of positions for new organization.

Evaluated suppliers by assessing quality, timeliness and compliance of deliveries to maintain tight cost controls and maximize business operational efficiency.

Conducted target market research to scope out industry competition and identify advantageous trends.

Applied performance data to evaluate and improve operations, target current business conditions and forecast needs.

Stayed current with market trends to determine optimal pricing of goods and services and to capitalize on emerging opportunities.

Used knowledge of market trends to create value-added solutions resulting in 35% increase in revenues.

Trained and motivated 4 employees to perform daily business functions, including prepping and sanitation.

Reconciled daily sales, returns and financial reports with quickbooks and POS system.

Education

High School Diploma

New Utrecht High School - Brooklyn, NY

Fluent in Italian

I was born in Italy and raised in NYC, continued my education in bilingual schools. Began to work in the food industry at a young age because most of my family was and is in the food industry.

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