Erin Thorne

About Erin Thorne

I build strategic partnerships that drive sustainable growth. I have done this as a trusted account leader responsible for managing national retail customers, developing joint business plans, and executing sales strategies that expand distribution and accelerate category performance.In my role within the consumer packaged goods industry, I partner closely with retailers, category teams, and cross-functional stakeholders to identify growth opportunities through assortment optimization, new item innovation, planogram development, and high-impact merchandising programs. My ability to translate insights into actionable strategies helps unlock incremental revenue while strengthening long-term customer relationships.I bring a data-driven and collaborative approach to sales leadership. By leveraging analytics, shopper insights, and category trends, I work to develop solutions that create value for both the retailer and the brand. I thrive in fast-paced environments where strategic thinking, executional excellence, and strong communication are required to deliver results.In addition to account management, I enjoy partnering across commercial teams—including marketing, category management, supply chain, and finance—to align strategies and bring initiatives to market successfully. My experience managing complex retail businesses has strengthened my ability to prioritize, influence stakeholders, and drive measurable growth.A few of my accomplishments include:• Driving distribution expansion and shelf optimization initiatives that increased total points of distribution and improved category visibility at major national retailers• Leading merchandising and display strategies that generated incremental revenue through seasonal and national promotional programs• Partnering with category management teams to influence planogram development and optimize assortment for improved sales performance• Managing complex retail businesses through cross-functional collaboration with marketing, supply chain, finance, and insights teams• Developing strategic growth plans with retail partners focused on innovation launches, incremental displays, and category leadership• Presenting business reviews and growth strategies to retailer partners and internal leadership teams

Experience

1. Sr National Account Executive - Walgreens

   Ferrara

   Apr 2025 — Present · US

   I lead the Walgreens business for Ferrara, managing one of the company’s most strategic national retail accounts. In this role, I am responsible for driving revenue growth, expanding distribution, and strengthening Ferrara’s position within the confectionery category through strategic retail partnerships.I collaborate closely with Walgreens merchants and internal cross-functional teams including category management, marketing, finance, and supply chain to execute joint business plans that deliver growth for both Ferrara and our retail partner. By leveraging category insights, shopper trends, and data-driven analysis, I identify opportunities to optimize assortment, improve merchandising strategies, and launch new innovations that enhance the customer experience.My focus is on building long-term partnerships with Walgreens while delivering strong commercial results through distribution gains, promotional programs, and high-impact merchandising initiatives.Key accomplishments include:• Led distribution expansion and merchandising initiatives that increased Ferrara’s total points of distribution across Walgreens stores• Partnered with category management teams to support planogram resets and optimize shelf assortment within the confectionery category• Executed national display programs that generated incremental revenue and improved in-store visibility• Developed strategic growth plans with Walgreens merchants focused on innovation launches and category expansion• Collaborated with cross-functional teams across marketing, supply chain, finance, and insights to successfully execute commercial initiatives• Presented business updates and growth strategies to retailer partners and internal leadership teams

Education

• Pittsburg State University

  Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.), Marketing

  2011 — 2015

Skills

• Powerpoint
• Facebook
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Office
• Time Management
• Microsoft Excel
• Customer Service
• Leadership
• Teamwork
• Public Speaking
• Team Leadership
• Data Entry
• Research
• Outlook
• Marketing Strategy
• Sales
• Sales Management