Carolyn Mae Oakes

**** ***** ***** **, *******, Ohio 45304

937-***-**** Home; 937-***-**** Cell

Summary

I am seeking a professional position, which allows me to utilize my extensive retail management and buying experience in Deli – Specialty Cheese to build an organization with an emphasis on future product/service growth.

Areas of Expertise

Customer-Driven Trade Promotions Deli/Bakery Sales & Operations

Building Broker Relationships Consumer Buying Behaviors

Solution Based Selling Establishing Category Growth Initiatives

Excel, Microsoft Word, Power Point, Lotus Time management practices

Empire Foods

In my current position with Empire Foods I am responsible for working with Deli & Bakery – Specialty Cheese department managers in growing the deli-bakery Kroger divisional sales. I am very involved in the development of new programs as well as presenting new products and reviewing products that are not performing. We are always looking for the right assortment and programs for our customers. My role is to assist and train and make sure all programs are executed at store level. Working with manufactures, developing promotional strategies, plannograms, and category reviews and determines the right product for the stores.

Nash Finch Lima Division / Deli-Bakery Department May 2010 to March 2011

• Developed and implemented retail deli & bakery merchandising sales and profit programs.

• Advised and assisted retail deli & bakery locations in developing and maintaining profitable operations.

• Worked with manufactures and brokers to develop and execute new deli-bakery programs.

• Developing and executing customer-driven trade promotions.

• Developing and implementing marketing plans aimed at driving growth.

Grecian Delight Foods, Dayton, Ohio

Eastern Regional Sales Manager – Retail, July 27, 2007 – March 19th 2010

Responsible for enhancing the competitive position of the company in the retail channel through:

o Developing & implementing marketing plans aimed at driving growth

o Maximizing sales with existing & prospective customers

o Developing & executing customer-driven trade promotions

o Managing and increasing trade spending effectiveness

o Utilizing available resources to maximize company & customer profitability

o Serving as a liaison between Marketing, Sales, and Sales Agencies & Customers.

Lofino’s/Cub Foods, Dayton, Ohio

Deli/Bakery Buyer Merchandiser, 1996-July 22nd 2007

• Used Category Management Principles to drive sales and gross profits. Reviewed each Category in Deli – Specialty Cheese and Bakery once a year. Principles used:

o Product - determined the right product or program to use that will maximize Sales and Gross Profits.

o Placement – developed case layouts that will create the greatest turn of product and return on investment.

o Pricing - Negotiated the best procurement cost and established a retail pricing strategy to achieve our Sales and Gross Profit objectives.

o Promotion – Put in place a promotion strategy for each category. Strategies were developed for 52 weeks and 26 weeks. Goal was to drive sales and improve gross profits. Goals were accomplished through negotiations with the vendor community.

o Procurement – Negotiated the best procurement cost that pushed the vendor to reward us for efficiencies in both of our organizations, i.e. bracket pricing, and truckload pricing.

o Category Management – I was responsible for measuring all sales, gross and performance results through analysis and analytical support on all times and categories.

o Worked with Advertising and Manufacturing to develop POP material that will enhance our programs and educate our customers on each program.

o Managed the training of personnel within multiple stores.

o Worked with store managers and department managers on all programs. With execution at store level and understanding the upcoming procedures for the launch helped make it a success.

o Created proposals recommending upgrades, remodels, and expansions as they related to the deli/bakery operation.

Super Valu (Ohio Valley Division), Dayton, Ohio

Deli/Bakery Department: 1989-1996

• Developed and implemented retail deli & bakery merchandising sales and profit programs for the assigned territory.

• Advised and assisted retail deli & bakery locations in developing and maintaining profitable operations.

• Sold Supervalu services and motivated retail personnel to respond to existing programs. (Approximately 100 stores) I was responsible for 65 stores.

• Taught retail personnel a detailed technical understanding of deli/bakery operations and management.

• Maintained an open line of communication between Supervalu and numerous individual positions throughout the retail locations.

Hansel’s Gretel, Dayton, Ohio

Sales Associate, 1988-1989

• Introduced new deli products to retail outlets.

• Managed an assigned territory for the purpose of outside sales to deli buyers.

• Recommended inventory control and maintained proper ordering of time dated product.

• Advised Deli Managers, Warehouse Supervisors, Deli Merchandisers, and Deli Buyers on correct management of perishable products.

Cub Foods (Dayton Ohio Division), Dayton, Ohio

Deli Manager, 1987-1988

• Opened up the Dayton, Ohio Division of the new Cub Foods Stores.

• Monitored orderliness and cleanliness in preparation areas.

• Supervised quality and preparation of assorted specialty items.

• Directed proper procedure regarding inventory control and ordering.

• Managed scheduling and productivity of department personnel.

• Executed all deli programs.

Kroger Company (Cincinnati KMA), Dayton, Ohio

Deli/Bakery Manager, 1976-1987

• Assisted customers in placing orders for special party planning.

• Maintained stock rotation and inventory cost control functions.

• Supervised the productivity and scheduling of the deli and bakery staff.

• Managed all sales and gross profits for the deli/bakery operation.

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