Micheal Pederson

Beverage sales professional with 20+ years driving volume, distribution, and market share growth across key and chain retail accounts. Proven record building buyer and buying office relationships, leading customer business plans, and turning sales and market data into clear, actionable account strategy. Deep hands-on experience with the distributor model and in market execution across convenience, grocery, and on and off-premise channels, including alcohol ready to drink and energy beverage portfolios.

Fluent in field sales and retail data tools including VIP and Karma to track performance and uncover growth opportunities. Based in the Chicago metro and built for a fast moving, results driven environment.

Market Manager — Territory Sales & Key Account Development (Illinois) at Harvest Hill Beverage Company (2024-09 – 2026-02)

Led Illinois market development for a national beverage portfolio spanning juice, water, and alcohol ready to drink brands, growing distribution and brand visibility across on and off-premise channels through chain account execution, distributor partnerships, and consumer programming.

• Opened 200+ new accounts and executed 2,300+ field calls across the Chicago metro and surrounding Midwest territory.

• Planned and managed 80+ on and off-premise activations, demos, retail displays, and sponsorships that drove consumer trial and accelerated brand expansion.

• Built high visibility retail programs including Super Bowl displays, seasonal LTO launches, and permanent display placements in priority chain accounts.

• Partnered with distributor sales teams to grow volume and improve shelf presence, aligning retailer priorities with brand objectives.

Managed territory sales and account development for a high volume DSD beverage portfolio, building chain and key account relationships and leading distribution and promotional strategy through the distributor model.

• Delivered 6% year over year volume growth through strategic account planning and disciplined merchandising execution.

• Met first quarter volume targets, demonstrating strong market penetration across the territory.

• Used CRM and field sales tools to track performance, manage account data, and report territory activity to senior leadership.

• Conducted market analysis to identify and convert distribution and volume opportunities in priority accounts.

Represented multiple beverage and food manufacturer principals to operators, buyers, and distributors across convenience, vending, and micro market channels, managing the full sales cycle from new business development through trade execution.

• Achieved 50% sales growth in 2022 through strategic account planning and data driven customer engagement.

• Negotiated a long term distributor partnership that delivered 25% distributor sales growth by expanding the represented portfolio.

• Implemented a data driven product placement strategy across accounts, improving profitability through SKU and shelf optimization.

• Delivered business reviews and conceptual sales presentations to win new placements and expand distribution.

Managed a Northern Illinois territory of nearly 50 convenience, grocery, and foodservice accounts, from independent operators to large chains, driving volume across a broad product portfolio.

• Grew territory product sales 10% through tailored assortment and consultative account development.

• Onboarded and serviced new chain account business while protecting and growing existing accounts.

• Managed full order cycle and retail execution: ordering, merchandising, new item placement, and trade follow through.

• Promoted from Sales Representative I to Sales Representative II based on consistent performance.

Managed inventory, ordering, and team performance across departments; finished the fiscal year under dairy shrink budget.

Telecommunications Sales & Business Development — Sales Representative to Manager to Partner to Owner at Multiple Organizations (2000 – 2017)

Built and led direct sales organizations supporting Comcast, AT&T, and DIRECTV across direct to consumer, business to business, and event marketing channels; recruited, trained, and managed sales teams driving customer acquisition.

Telecommunications Sales & Business Development — Sales Representative to Manager to Partner to Owner at Multiple Organizations (2000 – 2017)