Melissa Lucas

-Responsible for over in sales functions across various product lines and clients including grocery, snack, beverage, first aid and skincare at major drug retailers. -Manage client and retailer relationship encompassing preparation and delivery of Category Line Reviews, trade fund planning and management, and negotiation of terms. -Leverage data analytics tools such as Circana to develop compelling sales narratives, optimize promotional strategies, and explore new product placement opportunities.

-Responsible for US sales consisting of mostly independent retailers and regional chains. -Managed 13 sales agencies and over 90 sales reps which included onboarding, sales forecasting, and performance evaluation. -Field sales training with ride-alongs with territory and regional managers to create tailored growth strategies for accounts and develop a cadence call schedule for territory planning. -Provided and created sales reports that were sent to territory managers and principal agency owners on regular basis to identify opportunities and maximize sales. -Attended and trained sales reps for the Atlanta Gift Show, Dallas Total Home & Gift Market, and Las Vegas Gift Market.

-Represented multi-line vendors including gift, novelty, books, and toys. Worked with key and specialty retailers throughout the Midwest including the Chicago Metro area and suburbs including Jewel Osco and Whole Foods. -Launched store specific merchandise assortments to increase traffic, profit, and enhance shopping experience for customers that built store loyalty. -Coordinated and implemented new programs for key accounts including project management between vendors and customers. -Assisted manufacturers in increasing product awareness, leading to new placements in various retail environments and a 39% sales increase in the novelty category; successfully prospected new accounts, expanding territory by 15% and generating an additional 22% revenue.

Developed and executed strategic sales plan of assigned accounts to grow business for regional grocers, specialty, and mass stores for a social expressions company .• Exceeded everyday sales goal consistently year over year with key account management, new business development, and category management. • Increased seasonal sales with increase in space and product offering. • Executed project management of new store roll-outs, revisions, and special projects. • Negotiated new contracts and renewal of existing contracts. • Established, directed strategic plans, and implemented plans based upon each customer.

Roles include hiring, training, and overseeing Account Representatives/Merchandisers, achieving sales plans, field execution, and prospecting. •Surpassed sales plan each year. •Exceeded new business goal year over year. •Recognized as the leader in the company in sales and management. •Led a team of 16 highly productive team members. •Guided store level planning between all levels. •Expanded presence at retail.

Primary roles were new business development nationwide, management of key accounts and product development. •Generated new business revenue through new account placement. •Exceeded sales forecasts of key accounts year over year with 33% increase. •Created and launched new products to compliment core offering and become a category manager. •Coordinated and trained a national field of merchandisers to boost sales at retail. •Created merchandising options and planogram to utilize space at retail.

In charge of maintaining and increasing sales in the Midwest and West Regions. •Managed territory with sales of $12 million and exceeded sales plan 30% annually. •Forecasted quarterly and yearly sales for everyday and seasonal products. •Attended regional and national tradeshows.