Freelance Sales Manager

Freelance Sales Manager with clients in the Natural Products, Sustainable Energy and Music industries. 1998-present

I am experienced in leading and managing teams through change in order to achieve and surpass goals. I have expertise in implementing new ideas and can effectively lead and manage strategy while remaining flexible in tactics. I have a track record of transformational leadership and delivering results. I have a strong background in business development, particularly in the organic, natural, and food/drug/mass channels, with a focus on supplement, personal care, and food brands and ingredients. My strengths include managing profits and losses, exceeding budgets, marketing, and merchandising. I have a keen understanding of emerging consumer needs, including those related to cannabinoids and hemp, plant-based, vegan, allergens, non-GMO, Fair Trade, B-Corp, and Biodynamic products, and am particularly attuned to the needs of ethnic customers. I also have knowledge of supply chain management, category management, and private label development, and am skilled at identifying and staying up-to-date on trends and innovations in the industry.

Additional Skills:

• Sales Management
• Training
• Recruiting

Other Clients:

• Herbs for Kids, Bozeman MT
• Stamell Strings, Amherst MA
• Eastampton Violins, Easthampton MA
• Wise Ways Herbals, Goshen MA
• Turtle Island Herbs, Boulder CO
• Emily's Violins, Belchertown MA
• Rigel Mandolin Co., Putney, VT
• Keene Community Music Center, Keene NH
• Northampton Community Music Center, Northampton MA
• Bricin's, Torrington CT
• Sambaland, Great Barrington MA

Bread & Circus Wholefoods Market

 

Bread & Circus Department Manager 1986-1993

• - Partnered with merchandising team to plan and execute floor moves, merchandise placement and overall sales set-up.
• - Achieved financial objectives by preparing annual budgets, scheduling expenditures, analyzing variances and initiating corrective actions.
• - Approved regular payroll submissions for employees.
• - Applied performance data to evaluate and improve operations, target current business conditions and forecast needs.
• - Managed inventory and receiving operations to maintain optimal stock levels and meet expected demands.
• - Developed empowering employee culture focused on equipping employees to independently meet customer needs.
• - Arranged sales incentives with store management and vendor representatives to reward deserving team members for exceeding expectations.
• - Analyzed and interpreted store trends to facilitate planning.
• - Prepared detailed reports for management to clarify existing trends, review sales and inventory data and support shrink minimization and safety awareness.
• - Coached sales associates in product specifications, sales incentives and selling techniques, significantly increasing customer satisfaction ratings.

Dr. Hauschka Cosmetics USA

 

Dr. Hauschka - National Sales Manager 1993-1998

• - Built and deepened partnerships with industry leaders to strengthen collaborative efforts and promote mutual profitability.
• - Supervised staff to optimize brand expansion initiatives and productivity.
• - Developed brand expansion initiatives across sales, marketing, and advertising campaigns.
• - Defined locations, dealers and investors to drive product sales and foster brand expansion.
• - Identified above-average stores for acquisition of under-performing stores, and implemented change management and network restructuring strategies.
• - Spearheaded market expansion plan for senior leadership, including sales planning, marketing and product R&D investments.
• - Led targeted training programs to educate staff on product benefits and service capabilities.