Melissa Sunseri

About Melissa Sunseri

Marketing isn’t just about campaigns—it’s about storytelling, creating experiences, and turning insights into growth. I blend strategy, creativity, and a hands-on approach to drive results for foodservice, CPG, and retail brands. From leading national accounts to launching my own restaurant and retail ventures, I thrive at the intersection of big-picture strategy and real-world execution.I’m known for turning ideas into action, building strong client partnerships, and delivering campaigns that are as I’m a strategic operator who sits at the intersection of customer strategy, executive storytelling, and cross‑functional alignment. I love taking complex, cross‑functional work and shaping it into clear, decision‑ready narratives that move an enterprise forward.My background blends marketing, customer leadership, and enterprise planning across foodservice, CPG, and retail. I’ve led national accounts, shaped multi‑year customer strategies, and unified teams across Marketing, Sales, Innovation, Supply Chain, and Insights to show up as one coherent, insight‑led partner.I’m naturally curious and creative, which means I’m always looking for the signal in the noise — the insight, the pattern, the opportunity. Whether I’m building a strategic narrative for senior leadership, aligning teams around a growth platform, or elevating how an organization shows up to a critical customer, I thrive in roles that require clarity, orchestration, and storytelling.CORE STRENGTHS: Enterprise & Customer Strategy — Turning insights into clear, multi‑year growth platforms and customer‑ready narratives that guide decision‑making and unify teams.🤝 Cross‑Functional Alignment — Bringing together Marketing, Sales, Innovation, Supply Chain, Finance, and Insights around a shared agenda and operating rhythm. Executive Storytelling — Creating crisp, decision‑ready materials for senior leadership, Board forums, QBRs, T2Ts, and top customer engagements. Strategic Marketing & Innovation — Connecting consumer, customer, and company signals to shape strategy, guide innovation, and accelerate commercial growth. Creative Problem‑Solving — Using curiosity, structure, and fresh thinking to simplify complexity and move work forward with clarity and purpose.SKILLS & EXPERTISE Brand & Commercial Strategy Foodservice, CPG & Retail Expertise Insights & Strategic Communication🤝 Cross‑Functional Leadership & Governance Team Leadership & Collaboration

Experience

1. Director of Customer Planning & Development

   Tyson Foods

   Jan 2020 — Present

   Enterprise leader driving customer-led growth, executive partnerships, and talent development across Tyson’s highest-impact accounts.GROWTH & CUSTOMER STRATEGY Owned growth strategy across Chains, Convenience, Distributor, and Contract channels Built C- and D-suite partnerships as a trusted advisor driving mutual valueEXECUTIVE & ENTREPRISE IMPACT Advised executive leadership by translating customer, consumer, and market insights into brand, innovation, and revenue strategies Scaled sales enablement and digital tools to accelerate execution and cross-team alignmentLEADERSHP & CAPABILTIY BUILDING Developed and mentored talent, advancing multiple team members Created Building the Toolbox, a marketing center of excellence elevating enterprise capabilitiesINNOVATION Founded Tyson Menu Hackers, a 50+ member cross-functional innovation community accelerating ideation and menu innovationCUSTOMER PORTFOLIO (Top 2–500 brands including) Chains: Yum! Brands, RBI, Domino’s, Chick-fil-A, Wendy’s, Chipotle Convenience: 7-Eleven, Casey’s, Circle K, Pilot Distributor: Sysco, US Foods, GFS Contract: Aramark, Sodexo

Education

• Drury University

  MA Communication, Marketing

• Columbia College

  BA Art, Graphic Design