Sales Manager

HUGO F. SANDBERG

Hudson, Ohio Cell: 330-***-**** ********.****@*****.*** ; http://www.linkedin.com/in/hugosandberg

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP / GENERAL MANAGER

Senior executive who drives results through strategic focus and innovative solutions to complex problems. Utilizing over 20 years experience in finance, marketing, product development, product management, and sales. Builds robust solutions that generate sustained incremental sales and margins. Successful in B2B and B2C environments. Passionate brand builder. Great listener, mentor, and team builder.

Core Competencies

Marketing Management

Product Management

Product Development

Sales Management

Strategic Development Product Commercialization

Advertising

Media Management

Marketing Communications

Marketing Analytics Public Relations

Web Site Development

Trade Shows

Budget Management

Business Development

PROFESSIONAL

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HEXPOL Compounding 2006 to Present

Leading provider of custom elastomer compounds – global sales over $1 Billion – locations in US, Mexico, Europe, and Asia. Publicly traded with HQ in Sweden.

Senior Manager Marketing and Business Development 2011 to present

In charge of all North American marketing and branding activities for organization with $650MM in NAFTA sales. Key account sales with over $54MM. Also leading the mergers and acquisition efforts.

• Helped integrate business after acquisition by largest competitor.

• Took lead sales role with some of our largest and most complex accounts.

• Led brand conversion from Excel Polymers to HEXPOL Compounding.

• Developed complete new advertising campaign and trade booth materials.

Senior Product and Marketing Communications Manager 2006 to 2011

With acquired business Excel Polymers LLC was in charge of transportation business unit and helped re-establish this business to profitability and ultimate sale of business.

• Established product management and marketing communications as core competencies for the organization. Developed unique new method of dealing with inflation and price increases which led to enhanced margins and greatly simplified processes for all affected functions.

• Complete P&L responsibility for $115 million transportation business unit. Increased profitability over 100% to historically record levels. Managed mix of business and strategic new account acquisition along with inflation/deflation capture and cost structure management.

• Became lead negotiator with key accounts during pricing and business discussions. Closed several new accounts and developed deals which resulted in long-term supply agreements.

• Helped land new account which generated over $10 million in new sales and became largest margin generator.

• Took on active sales role and personally managed several accounts. Turned around struggling relationship and brought accounts back to profitability.

• Decision maker on all pricing/program activities. Key interface with R&D.

• Enhanced custom quote system for worldwide applications. This enabled faster turnaround on pricing with better accuracy of information and improved information sharing across different functions in the organization.

• Developed close relationship between product management and sales as well as other company support functions. Achieved by working closely with all sales teams and global production facilities in order to obtain consistency of process and share common goals for the organization.

• Product management activities include frequent interaction with China based manufacturing, sourcing and sales.

Hugo F. Sandberg continued – page 2

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THE FLOOD COMPANY – Hudson, Ohio 2003 to 2006

Manufacturer of specialty coatings and exterior stains sold at retail – sales of around $50MM

Product Category Manager (2005 to Oct 2006) – 4 direct reports

Product Marketing Manager (2003 to 2005)

Customers include Home Depot, Lowes, Menards, paint stores, and hardware stores. End users include consumers and contractors. Brought new marketing and product management leadership to the organization and implemented analytical tools which highlighted focus areas for profitability.

• Gained 10% increase in company sales and 3% gross margin improvement by introducing a major new DIY product line. Proved that brand could be sold at a higher price than previously thought possible.

• Achieved $250k in first year sales and margins 20% above average with launch of new contractor product which opened new markets and customers target. Reinforced brand position as the solution expert.

• Drove 10% margin improvement using strategic price changes, product portfolio mix, and new programs.

• Frequently met with end-users to understand their needs resulting in better targeted products/programs.

• Developed sales analysis program achieving improved customer intelligence and strategic planning. This has become a company standard and is used by top management as well as sales and marketing.

• Implemented Stage-Gate new product development process resulting in improved hit-rate for new products.

• Developed and implemented multiple crucial price increases based on historical price sensitivity which enabled company to recoup raw material cost increases while improving our retail proposition.

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THE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COMPANY - Cleveland, Ohio 1999 to 2003

America’s largest paint company

Director of Marketing – Krylon Retail (2000-2003) – 5 direct reports

Senior Product Manager (1999-2000)

Krylon is leading brand in aerosol paint category. Assumed P&L responsibility for over $110MM in sales. Brought fresh look to aerosol paint category. Brand was on a long-term decline. Reversed trend of reducing brand support by proving to management the long-term benefits of sustained media efforts. Achieved renewed interest in the brand as well as extended brand leadership with key new product innovations.

• Improved profitability over $12MM in one year turning a loss into a profit.

• Enabled $1.8MM savings by implementing TV media plan with no increase in funding utilizing barter credits.

• Managed development and launch of innovative new product which won two major awards and resulted in 1st year incremental branded sales of 20%.

• Achieved 30%+ SKU reduction creating operational and service efficiencies and reducing overall costs.

• Led marketing efforts and account presentations in all Krylon distribution channels, including home centers, hardware chains, mass merchants, co-ops, independent hardware stores, paint dealers, and craft chains.

• Managed advertising and creative, media planning and execution for Krylon Interior-Exterior and Fusion Paint for Plastic products which drove retail placements and brand awareness. Resulted in preferred store placements.

• Directed all branding efforts including merchandising, packaging, literature, web site, and consumer research.

• Introduced new category with $2MM in annual sales. Led effort investigating product line, targeting untapped user market with new distribution channels.

• Developed $3MM media plan, advertising creative and execution.

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NEWELL RUBBERMAID 1993 to 1999

THE LITTLE TIKES COMPANY – TOY DIVISION – Hudson, Ohio 1995 to 1999

Senior Product Manager (1997-1999)

Product Manager (1996-1997)

Assistant Product Manager and member of Global Leadership Development Program (1995-1996)

Hugo F. Sandberg continued – page 3

Managed three diverse product lines with over $100MM in sales. Responsible for P&L. Managed the new product pipeline process by leading the product development team and interfacing with sales, customers, and end-users.

• Protected flag-ship product and $7MM in sales by redesigning and reintroducing famous Cozy Coupe car.

• Grew wagon business 60% through innovative new products and bonus offers.

NEWELL RUBBERMAID - continued

• Developed and implemented simplified new forecasting, pricing, advertising programs and policies.

• Led management of new product development compressing development timeline to six months “art to part.” Actions contributed to improved new products and higher profit margins.

• Improved plan for tooling requirements. Enabled better tooling investment and distribution of excess tools.

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RUBBERMAID HOME PRODUCTS – HOUSEWARES DIVISION – Wooster, Ohio 1993 to 1995

Assistant Product Manager and member of Global Leadership Development Program (1994-1995)

Intern-Market Research and Marketing (1993)

________________________________________THE J.M. SMUCKER COMPANY – Orrville, Ohio 1988 to 1992

Supervisor of Corporate Accounts Payable (1991-1992)

Staff Accountant (1988-1991)

________________________________________SECOND NATIONAL BANK – Hamilton, Ohio 1987-1988

Management Trainee

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EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Duke University Fuqua School of Business - MBA

Bluffton University, Bluffton, Ohio – Bachelor of Arts Business & Accounting

Academic All-American in football and tennis

CPA – passed on sections on 1st try

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt training - Miller-Heiman strategic sales training - PriceX strategic pricing conference

University of Chicago Executive Leadership Seminar.

Member of Kiwanis International – Vice-President 2011-2012. Chairman of Hudson Hoops Classic Sponsorship Committee. Increased cash donations by over 40% in 1st year. Sold out baseball team sponsorships.

YMCA Indian Princesses – Father-Daughter organization. Tribe Chief 14 years. #1 raffle ticket seller 9 years.

Dual citizen – American and Dutch

Interests: Tennis, running, golf – volunteer tennis coach for 2011 International Children’s Games in Scotland

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