GEORGE LEWIS

Fleming Island, FL ***** adzxu4@r.postjobfree.com

904-***-**** linkedin.com/in/george-lewis-04200783/ NATIONAL SALES MANAGER

Accomplished sales leader with a history of success and experience in the CPG industry (food, drug, mass, box, dollar, convenience, hardware, specialty, military). Highly skilled at providing business development, sales, training, and marketing support with consistent results in planning, directing, and executing innovative, and creative business solutions. Known for the ability to secure key clients and provide senior level consultancy to increase product penetration and market share. Key skills include: Selling and Closing Consumer Goods Manager of a Direct Salesforce and Broker Networks Market New Brands and Private Label Teacher, Coaching and Training Instructor PSS II (Professional Selling Skills) and Management Motivation Relationship Building Problem Solving Skilled Motivator and Motivational Speaker Artist - Architect - Designer Master Electrician Pre-call Observation Fact-Based Selling

EXPERIENCE

Scandinavian Tobacco Group, Tucker, GA January 2018 – July 2022 STGL sells quality rolling papers, cigars, smoking tobacco and Cricket Lighters to chain grocery, convenience, mass, drug, and wholesale distributors worldwide.

National Business Development Manager

Re-launched Cricket Lighters nationally after a 10-year absence in the USA. Sold Cricket into McLane, HT Hackney, Coremark, and other distributors and chain accounts. Volume went from 0 to 1.4 million units in 11 months.

• Re-established selling guidelines, responsibilities, pricelists, contracts rebate/slotting/trade show programs.

• Hired, managed, and trained a National Broker network for all classes of trade.

• Call on chain accounts, distributors and attend regional and national trade shows across the county.

• Re-established deal sheets, and spiffs.

Good Times Tobacco, Tampa, FL May 2017 - December 2017 Good Times Tobacco sells quality cigars and accessories to chain grocery, convenience, mass, drug and wholesale distributors worldwide. Manage a $22,000,000 per year area. Director of Sales

Managed and trained direct sales force for all classes of trade. Called on Chain Accounts. Managed a

$22,000,000 a year area.

• Increased sales volume $400,000 within 3 months with new program.

• Re-established selling guidelines, responsibilities, rebate/slotting/trade show programs. My Gadget Gear, Marion, AR September 2014 - May 2017 My Gadget Gear sells phone accessory products to all classes of trade. These markets include grocery, convenience, drug, hardware and wholesale distributors. National Sales Manager

Developed a new and profitable C-Store program and an inter-city program for smaller distributors. Gained new distribution in HT Hackney Corp and C-Store retailers.

• Increased sales volume $500,000 within 6 months.

• Hired and trained entire broker network nationally for all classes of trade.

• Introduced broker guidelines, responsibilities, PPT presentations, rebate, and slotting programs. GEORGE LEWIS PAGE 2

Halpern Import Co., Atlanta, GA June 2013 - August 2014 Halpern’s products are American Match and Clipper lighters, Gaucho gloves, Playa Delray Sunglasses, and license products such as Axmen, Swamp People and Duck Dynasty. Selling and marketing to all classes of trade to include food, drug, mass, C-store, box, and hardware. National Sales Manager

Increased sales by $400,000 in a neglected territory in 11 months. All new distribution.

• Opened new accounts in Pine State Distribution, S. Abraham, Tripi Foods, Sled Wholesale.

• Introduced programs currently pending to Dollar Tree, Ingles, TOPCO and Western Family valued at

$4,000,000.

• Introduced Halpern products for the “first time” to Ingles, Winn Dixie, Western Family, TOPCO, Dollar Tree, Value Merchandisers, AAFES, True Value, Do It Best, and United Hardware.

• Added new broker network for food, drug, mass, hardware, and C-store accounts. Calico Brands (Scripto), Ontario, CA January 2003 - April 2013 Calico products include Scripto and Calico pocket and utility lighters, both branded and private label selling and marketing to all classes of trade mass, grocery, dollar store, box, convenience, hardware, and specialty. VP Sales SE/MW

Introduced the development for a new and aggressive C-store program that would give Calico an opportunity to grow the C-store business, resulting in obtaining over $1,000,000 a year.

• Increased territory’s overall volume by 4,000,000 units within my first year.

• Increased sales from $300,000 to $7,000,000 during my term at Calico/Scripto.

• Sold new programs and SKUs of both branded and private label to Home Depot, Kmart, Publix, Family Dollar, MDI, Ingles, Brookshire Grocery, Winn Dixie, Food Lion, Meijer, Nash Finch, True Value, AAFES, Hy- Vee, HEB, Value Merchandisers, Ace, Advance Auto.

• Increased Meijer stores’ volume $300,000 in one year by developing a Box program for a grocery mass account.

• Sold Tuesday Morning stores on a brand-new program and added 4 items which became $150,000 a year in sales.

Marcal Paper Elmwood Park, NJ January 2001 – January 2003 Jimmy Dean Foods January 1997 – January 2001

Responsible for developing, selling, and marketing Jimmy Dean food products to C-Store, grocery, and food service wholesalers. Also, train, motivate and manage salespeople across the country to promote Jimmy Dean and eliminate competition.

National Sales and Business Development Manager

Developed new selling and marketing tools. These greatly increased productivity and volume immediately.

Developed a New National Independent and chain Roller Grill program for C-Stores and wholesale distributors {McLane, H. T. Hackney}.

Developed new P.O.S. especially designed to meet the needs of a C-Store.

Dramatically improved relations and created new relations for Jimmy Dean with retailers, wholesalers, and our own sales force.

Increased sales by over 1,000,000 pounds in less than a year. Effectively managed a National Brokerage Company and worked well with their representatives. EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts (BA), Art, Architecture/Engineering, University of Florida