Jeff Wakelin

About Jeff Wakelin

I am a successful VP of Sales in the Consumer-Packaged Goods industry. In my 20+ year career, I have worked on start-ups to billion-dollar worldwide brands. I’m happy to roll up my sleeves, get on the road and be the face of the brand in front of key customers (Walmart, Target, Costco, Kroger) driving results direct or through broker networks. This unique blend has taught me the process of driving key initiatives at large-cap, small-cap, and start-ups. I can work cross-functionally and understand building profitable growth in both private label and branded business. I’ve had the privilege to work for a variety of companies learning how to match retailer strategies with my companies’ financial goals to deliver profitable growth. For example, over three years I grew the Walmart business from just over $1.0M to over $30M.My experience selling products to retailers like Costco, Walmart and Kroger has allowed me to launch brands across multiple channels and categories. This multichannel expertise enables me to lead companies to rapid national expansion. Working from home, and traveling, naturally blends my professional life with my personal life. This has enabled me to encompass my interests and passions into my professional goals, which include family, healthy lifestyle and fun. Having a trusting relationship with my boss and cross-functional team means that I deliver results. My positive attitude has provided me with the ability to embrace change, and have a lot of enjoyment while working. I am an approachable and transparent leader with a passion for developing talent and fostering an environment of collaboration, and a proven ability to effectively engage and influence cross-functional teams, partners, and senior management.If you’d like to learn a bit more about my background and experience, please reach out to me at j••••••••@yahoo.com

Experience

1. VP of Sales Costco & Grocery East

   Tillamook Country Smoker

   Jan 2018 — Present · Naples, FL, US

   Tillamook Country Smoker is a meat snack manufacturing company. The company cooks and sells meat sticks, beef jerky and bulk meat snack items. Tillamook Country Smoker sells to distributors and directly to retailers across the United States.VP SALES – REPORTING TO EVP of SALES 01/2018 - PRESENTLead the sales effort in the grocery, club and military classes of trade. This includes broker management, trade management and item development for a variety of National Customers • 2019 Results were 238% of plan• Implement sales strategy for Grocery customers in the East. 2018 results were 148% versus prior year.• Reviewed existing broker relationships and made changes to acquire new customers (gained 10 new SKUs at Harris Teeter)• Develop Club items for BJ’s and Costco• Successfully gained rotations in multiple Costco regions – May 2019 resulting in $4.7 million in incremental sales• Successfully gained rotation at BJ’s – July 2019 resulting in in incremental sales• Pioneered Tillamook Country Smoker in the Military class of trade.• Worked cross functionally with finance, marketing, and manufacturing to develop item for AAFES resulting in $1.2M in annual sales• Exceeded 2018 top line sales plan by 25% and bottom-line plan by 20%• Provide leadership to develop sales process including account management, trade management and tracking results

Education

• University of Massachusetts Amherst

  Bachelor of Arts, Political Science

  1985 — 1989

Skills

• Ac Nielsen
• Executive Management
• Business Planning
• Leadership
• Profit
• P&L Management
• Iri
• Retail
• Customer Insight
• Strategy
• Strategic Partnerships
• Product Management
• Key Account Development
• Budgets
• Nielsen
• Grocery
• Business Process
• Pricing
• Sales
• Trade Marketing
• Product Marketing
• Consumer Products
• Merchandising
• Product Development
• Account Management
• Shopper Marketing
• Management
• Team Building
• Sales Management
• Market Planning
• Fmcg
• Competitive Analysis
• Contract Negotiation
• Selling
• Sales Operations
• Customer Service
• Business Development
• Negotiation
• Marketing Management
• National Accounts