Retail Sales Manager - Danone – Acosta Group - Oak Brook, IL
(2025-02)
- Successfully managed a high-volume retail territory, increasing Danone product visibility by 25% through strategic display execution, effective merchandising, and consistent shelf maintenance.
- Built strong in-store relationships with management and staff, resulting in improved product placement and increased sales opportunities.
- Recognized for exceeding distribution and display compliance goals by 15% quarter-over-quarter.
Retail Operations Consultant, Self-Employed - Aranda Retail Consulting - Greater Chicago Area
(2024-01 - 2025-03)
- Boosted store efficiency by 25% through strategic assessments and merchandising improvements.
- Reduced client stockouts by 30% and increased category sales by 18% by optimizing assortment and shelf strategies.
- Increased repeat customer visits by 15% through loyalty programs and service enhancements.
- Achieved 100% safety and regulatory compliance by advising on best practices.
Business Development Executive - Prairie State Gaming / Penn Entertainment - Chicago, IL
(2021-05 - 2024-01)
Video Gaming (Gambling) provider, Retail
- Developed marketing strategies and assisted with campaign production and execution for special events, raising 20% of monthly revenue.
- Generated new business and long-term account opportunities through prospecting and cold calling, resulting in over $35,000 in closed new and recurring monthly business.
- Represented the company professionally at internal and external meetings and events, effectively communicating company goals and fostering strong relationships with stakeholders.
Territory Sales Manager - Whirlpool / Mosaic Group - Chicago, IL
(2019-09 - 2021-04)
Multinational manufacturer and marketer of home appliances
- Built relationships with national accounts including Home Depot, Menards, Lowes, Best Buy and ABT.
- Increased sales by 12% in 4th quarter of 2019 compared to 4th quarter 2018, by training customers through a one-on-one training and group meetings, incentives, lunch & learns, and other strategic activities.
- Maximized Whirlpool portfolio presence by educating retail associates on key product differentiators, messages, promotions, and sales tactics.
Category Manager / Grocery Buyer - Casa del Pueblo - Chicago, IL
(2015-01 - 2018-08)
Bilingual grocery store concept specializing in Hispanic, American, and natural/organic food products
- Managed the introduction of more than 1,000 new products in various categories and implemented effective retail product placement that increased revenues by 21% at Center of Store and Frozen.
- Created and approved pricing, promotion, and shelf schematics for various categories of food products based on detailed analyses of historical sales, industry best practices, and consumer trends.
- Negotiated with suppliers on pricing, product assortment, promotion, advertising, services, promotional calendars, and support.
- Created annual plans for various food products to drive profits and improve customers' shopping experiences.
- Responsible for training and developing 8 department managers in stores and warehouse. Trained and developed store-level department managers.
Regional Sales Manager - Advantage Solutions - Schaumburg, IL
(2013-04 - 2015-01)
Global company assisting manufacturers/retailers build brand value through insight-based sales, marketing, and technology solutions
- Mentored and developed 140 retail merchandisers, sales representatives, and auditors, including such activities as employment decisions, counseling, coaching and goal setting.
- Developed retail planogram and schematic merchandising strategies for leading national retailers.
- Delivered principals' objectives to include volume and sales fundamentals (merchandising, assortment, pricing, and shelving) goals at the assigned customers at the lowest cost.
Business Development Manager - Banner Imports - Chicago, IL
(2012-10 - 2013-04)
Importer of Latin-focused beverages such as Coco Water, Aloe Water, and Goji Water targeting Hispanic consumer markets
- Developed and implemented strategic business plans and accountable for sales forecasting, inventory management and logistics.
- Increased brand distribution by 20% at Whole Foods located in the East Coast region.
- Collaborated with broker-partners to strengthen relationships with strategic customers, enhancing customer satisfaction and driving business growth.
- Created and implemented pricing, promotion, and shelf schematics and planograms for distributors.
