garth gardner

Accepted the challenge to become the top executive of an unprofitable and declining specialty food business. Company lacked direction and marketing leadership required to take it to profitable performance. Implemented policies and procedures while leading by example to instill customer focus and team based philosophies. Member of Executive Committee.

Embraced the opportunity to grow and develop great brands (Bear Creek: Soup, Pasta, Rice; Spring Tree & Cary’s Syrups).

* Managed $75 million trade budget across 40+ brands for Western United States (Grocery and Club). * Responsible for developing and working with Convience & Drug Trade Class. * Established and achieved trade budget utilizing trade management platform (Synectics/Account Review).

* Full P&L, sales, marketing, and operations responsibility for $80 million zone. Delivered annual revenue and profit gains which exceeded annual plans. * Established sales goals and objectives quarterly and annually, managed category development, forecasted product, managed expenses. * Led, recruited, trained, and coached a management team of 15 and a sales team of 90.

Developed and recommended complete programs for market development areas and special brand development promotions for specific areas, including the coordination of these activities through Atlanta Headquarters and the Marketing Department. Coordinated and implemented all new product roll-outs in conjunction with supplying Atlanta Headquarters and the Marketing Department with estimates of product for roll-out and on-going levels of movement. Managed national Military business through broker network. Responsibilities included developing and presenting annual DSD Sales and Expense Business Plan to Executive Management.

CPG Sales at Rana Meal Solutions