Ray Birden

About Ray Birden

Marketing, Distribution and Business Operations Professional with experience in large multi location distribution operations in the automotive and consumer retail industries.(Nike, Toys R US, Wal-Mart, CARQUEST Auto Parts, WORLDPAC)Specialties: Distribution Operations, Logistics, Marketing, Brand Management, Strategic Planning, National Account Sales and NASCAR Sponsorship.DISTRIBUTION - Most recently directed multi site distribution center operations utilizing engineered labor standards to create incentive based performance plans in high volume warehouse operations for a few of the nation\'s largest retailers.Researched and created a nationwide expansion plan for one of today’s largest national parts distributors focusing on the import aftermarket.Marketing - Rebranded multibillion dollar company by creating brand identity standards which are used in store visuals, packaging, corporate communications tools, fleet identity.Launched corporate news center video news station via internet to all store, distribution and corporate teammates to improve communication and strategic alignment. This included a weekly news center broadcast as well as messaging boards across locations.Executed a NASCAR primary sponsorship three-year program with Hendrick Motor Sports and three Nationwide Series Race at Lowes Motor Speedway.Created sales promotions, product collateral, loyalty programs and incentivesBusiness Development and Sales ManagementGrew National Account Sales by creating a strategic relationship model targeting companies like Goodyear & Firestone which created year over year double digit sales growth.Produced and directed five national sales meetings for up to corporate and independent store operators in a 36 month period. These meetings were used to create alignment, deliver the vision of the brand and generate enthusiasm among our teammates.Executed deployment of an e-commerce online catalog and ordering tool in BtoB transactions.

Experience

1. Vice President Distribution Centers

   Academy Sports + Outdoors

   Jun 2021 — Present · Katy, TX, US

Education

• Wabash College

  BA, Economics

  1978 — 1982

• Butler University

  Masters Program - Not complete, Business/Managerial Economics

• Wabash College

  Bachelor's degree, Economics

• Butler University

  Business Administration and Management, General

  1982 — 1985

Skills

• Marketing
• Product Management
• Inventory Management
• Program Management
• Coaching
• Automotive
• Leadership
• Mergers & Acquisitions
• P&L
• Sales Management
• Business Development
• Business Planning
• Operations Management
• Profit
• P&L Management
• Sales
• Management
• Team Building
• Business Strategy
• Distributed Team Management
• Competitive Analysis
• Brand Management
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Contract Negotiation
• Start-Ups
• Marketing Strategy
• Pricing
• Nascar Sponsorship Management
• Budgets
• Logistics
• Customer Satisfaction
• New Business Development
• Distribution Management
• Forecasting
• Team Leadership
• Market Planning
• Retail
• B2b
• Strategy
• E-Commerce