AHRON REINHARD
New Paltz,NY
Summary
Experienced Specialty Foods professional specializing in sales forecasting, wholesale purchasing, and contract management. Demonstrated success in negotiating complex contracts while ensuring compliance and optimizing procurement strategies. Proven ability to enhance supplier relationships and streamline processes, resulting in improved contractual terms and reduced costs. Aiming to leverage expertise in a dynamic environment focused on expanding market reach and educating consumers.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Inside Sales and Contracts
Euro USA Importers and Distributors of Specialty Foods
Sterling, VA
07.2012 - Current
- Managed a portfolio of over 450 retail and food service sales contracts, including Whole Foods Market locations in the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions.
- Created tailored contract margins and pricing for each client or chain.
- Provided the purchasing team with sales forecasting via current and historical movement reports, promo projections, regional weather-related spikes in demand, and industry trends.
- Implemented sales promotions and discounts in collaboration with the marketing department.
- Negotiated time-sensitive vendor bill-back promotional allowance deals to get ahead of aging inventory, while also increasing brand awareness and boosting sales.
- Utilized out-of-stock and on-hand reporting to investigate pick errors and inventory level discrepancies for our warehouse crew to increase accuracy and prevent waste.
- Participated in strategy meetings with senior management team members.
- Developed and implemented sales strategies to increase market share.
- Prepared quotes for prospective customers based on their needs and budget requirements.
Specialty Buyer and Supervisor
Whole Foods Market
Washington, DC
01.2011 - 07.2012
- Purchased domestic and imported cheese, accoutrements, charcuterie, and spreads for Specialty Foods Department.
- Responsible for all inventory, category management, cross-department merchandising and displays, as well as quality control and maintenance for the cheese island, olive bar, and multi-decks.
- Cultivated a highly motivated and collaborative team through weekly department meetings, with a focus on cheese education, tasting, and suggested pairings.
- Directed all production, daily workflows, and projected sales goals for the entire team.
- Streamlined workflow processes, reducing project completion times.
- Developed and maintained relationships with vendors to ensure the best possible pricing.
- Completed the Leadership Training program and the Food Safety Class.
Merchandiser and Display Artist
B&A Foodbrokers
Manalapan, NJ
06.2009 - 05.2011
- Responsible for displaying and merchandising specialty departments in over 150 A&P owned Grocery stores in the Mid-Atlantic region
- Assisted each Cheese Department with product ordering, cutting, wrapping, weighing, and pricing
- Provided custom category management coaching based on reporting and clientele
- Included before/after photos for store leadership to provide a department template
Cheesemaker
Cherry Glen Goat Cheese Co
Boyds, MD
05.2008 - 06.2009
- Oversaw production of aged bloomy rind varieties such as Monocacy Ash, Monocacy Silver, and Monocacy Chipotle.
- Maintained accurate records of production batches, including ingredients used, temperature settings, aging times.
- Assisted with packaging finished cheeses for distribution or sale in retail stores.
- Dispatched direct orders to clients, including Whole Foods Market and Roots Market.
Cheese Lead/Buyer
Roots Market
Clarksville, MD
12.2006 - 05.2008
- Responsible for buying, forecasting, cutting, wrapping, displaying, and marketing for the cheese department.
- Led all aspects of the department, including merchandising, production, and quality control.
- Established relationships with key contacts within supplier organizations in order to build strong partnerships.
- Negotiated product prices, discounts and shipping incentives with vendors.
Skills
- Self motivation
- Product Knowledge
- Professionalism
- Multitasking Abilities
- Workflow management
- Attention to detail
- Analytical problem solver
- Operational reporting
- Contract negotiation
Timeline
Inside Sales and Contracts
Euro USA Importers and Distributors of Specialty Foods
07.2012 - Current
Specialty Buyer and Supervisor
Whole Foods Market
01.2011 - 07.2012
Merchandiser and Display Artist
B&A Foodbrokers
06.2009 - 05.2011
Cheesemaker
Cherry Glen Goat Cheese Co
05.2008 - 06.2009
Cheese Lead/Buyer
Roots Market
12.2006 - 05.2008
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