Sales Manager

JOHN P. BALL

**** **** ***** ***** • White Bear Lake, MN 55426 yp0w2l@r.postjobfree.com • 952-***-****

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

A seasoned, senior sales/management professional and small business owner with a 14-year record of achievement and success delivering revenue and profit gains within a highly competitive market. Possess a thorough understanding of the food/beverage industry, product development and quality assurance. Able to aggressively identify opportunities, develop focus and provide results. Strong communication, negotiation and team-building skills to select, train and retain self-motivated, customer-focused employees. Applies a results-oriented management style with the ability to incorporate innovative techniques, processes and procedures to increase productivity and complete top-priority objectives.

Core competencies include:

• Strategic Planning • Multimillion-dollar Negotiations • Key Client Retention

• Technical Selling • Territory Growth/Development • Organizational Leadership

• Team Building • High-impact Sales Presentations • Budget Management

Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Mac and Internet savvy

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

CEO/OWNER/SALES MANAGER, 2005 – PRESENT

JEM Ingredients – Minneapolis, MN

JEM Ingredients is a technical sales ingredient brokerage company representing 20+ clients in Minnesota and surrounding states with 6 employees and annual sales exceeding $20M.

Oversee all sales and business development functions, including key account management, customer and supplier relationship development, contract negotiations, and order fulfillment. Implement and adjust various sales plans and programs for supplier growth.

Selected Achievements:

• Retained 100% of brokerage contracts during company change.

• Implemented company start-up and business plan for banks and investors.

• Negotiated buy/sell agreement with former owner and turned net profit within 12 months.

• Consistently developed strong, sustainable relationships with clients and customers.

INGREDIENT DIVISION MANAGER, 2000 – 2005

Advantage Sales & Marketing – Bloomington, MN

Advantage Sales & Marketing is a national retail brokerage company with $100M in annual sales.

Responsibilities included overall management of ingredient brokerage division sales team, budget, company objectives and company policies. Developed and implemented strategic plans to grow ingredient brokerage divisions throughout office centers using current retail relationships. Conducted and approved all broker contract negotiations with top customers and clients.

Selected Achievements:

• Team consistently exceeded sales budgets, goals and objectives by adding brokerage clients.

• Team averaged one new ingredient approval at General Mills each year.

• Sales revenue increased from $15M to $20M.

TERRITORY MANAGER, 1997 – 2000

Ashland Distribution, Inc. – Dublin, OH

Ashland distributes and supplies chemicals to the food, personal care and pharmaceutical manufacturers throughout the U.S.

Manage a 5-state territory, focused on growing sales dollars, revenue and pounds using multiple distribution centers.

Selected Achievements:

• Exceeded sales goals, growing territory by 30% the first year and 25% the second.

• Reduced stock-outs 100% by managing inventories through multiple distribution channels.

TECHNICAL SALES ASSOCIATE, 1995 – 1997

J.M. Brown Co. – Minneapolis, MN

J.M. Brown is a technical sales ingredient brokerage company representing multiple clients in Minnesota and surrounding states.

One of two technical sales individuals managing research & development sales calls at General Mills, Pillsbury and select food manufacturers in the 5 state region.

Selected Achievements:

• Increased sales dollars in territory by 50 percent.

FOOD TECHNOLOGIST, 1993 ¬– 1995

Northwestern Foods, Inc. – St. Paul, MN

Northwestern Foods is a contract manufacturer focusing on dry blending of beverage and bakery mixes.

Created and improved new food products using flavors and colors. Performed quality checks on existing products.

Selected Achievements:

• Developed line extensions for hot cocoa line and shave-ice customers

• Created new instant tea line and whole wheat pizza dough mix.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

B.S., Food Science, 1994 – University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

Professional Development Courses: Iowa State Meat Processing Short Course

INDUSTRY AFFILIATIONS

Research Chefs Association, Institute of Food Technologists, MISA

Contact this candidate