Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Category Experience
Timeline
Generic

AMY VANDEN ELST

Kentwood

Summary

Detail-oriented and experienced merchandising professional with a strong track record in the CPG industry, supporting multiple facets of the merchandising process across diverse product categories. Adept at managing high volumes of work in fast-paced environments, consistently meeting deadlines while maintaining accuracy and efficiency. Highly skilled in contract drafting, data entry, and quickly mastering new systems and technologies. Recognized for strong organizational abilities, cross-functional collaboration, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.

Overview

32
32
years of professional experience

Work History

Business Manager Assistant - Meat, Deli

Meijer, SpartanNash
10.2021 - 04.2025
  • Draft all Meat and Seafood contracts for SpartanNash
  • Set up new items for Meijer and SpartanNash for Meat and Deli
  • Manage images for meijer.com, re-working the image specs as needed on a 3rd party app
  • Run various reports from the Meijer VendorNet system
  • Help with miscellaneous and special projects as needed across all areas

Contract Drafting Specialist OTC

PepsiCo, Albertsons
08.2015 - 10.2021
  • Drafted promotion contracts for PepsiCo Warehouse Sales
  • Ability to prioritize multiple Customer deadlines while maintaining a minimum of 98% accuracy

Merchandise Associate

Meijer, Inc.
01.2007 - 01.2012
  • Responsible to work with the Buyer, Inventory Control Analyst and Planning Analyst to ensure all category objectives were achieved.
  • Created sales plans & ensured ad accuracy
  • Helped maintain plan-o-gram integrity and set up new items for each market
  • Helped all areas with basic data needs

Promotion Specialist

Meijer, Inc.
01.2000 - 01.2006
  • Co-developed the Promotions Specialist role, responsible for executing consistently accurate print ads with a focus to standardize a process across all departments within the Organization.
  • Utilized problem-solving skills to assess new ways to communicate data electronically, while maintaining the integrity of the ads.
  • Worked closely with the Buyer and Vendor to ensure all necessary information was delivered clearly, accurately and on time to deliver a successful ad.
  • Provided weekly reporting and participated in post-ad analytical results to Buyers and Advertising executives to ensure all objectives were achieved.
  • Provided weekly in-depth insight based on past and current trends to help understand the results of the promotion or ads based based on seasonality, price point, ad position, in-stock conditions or any other factors affecting the outcome.
  • Gathered all image and pricing data from Buyer and Vendor, entered and submitted pricing and items to Advertising and stores for all 65+ advertising markets.

Buyer Assistant

Meijer, Inc.
01.1993 - 01.2000
  • Responsible to work with the Buyer, Inventory Control Analyst and Planning Analyst to ensure all category objectives were achieved.
  • Created sales plans & ensured ad accuracy
  • Helped maintain plan-o-gram integrity and set up new items for each market
  • Helped all areas with basic data needs

Education

Business Administration -

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

Business Administration -

Davenport University
Grand Rapids, MI

Skills

  • Effective decision-making
  • Adaptability in challenging situations
  • Effective problem resolution
  • Time management
  • Analytical reasoning
  • Strong written communication skills
  • Clear verbal communication
  • Skilled in adapting to new systems
  • Experienced in rapidly assimilating role requirements
  • Customer service

Category Experience

  • Carb Beverages
  • Beer
  • Liquor
  • Dairy
  • Salty Snacks
  • Commercial Bread
  • Cookies/Crackers
  • Sweet Goods
  • Canned Fruit/Vegetables
  • Breakfast
  • Cigarettes/Tobacco
  • Fresh/Pkg Meat
  • Deli

Timeline

Business Manager Assistant - Meat, Deli

Meijer, SpartanNash
10.2021 - 04.2025

Contract Drafting Specialist OTC

PepsiCo, Albertsons
08.2015 - 10.2021

Merchandise Associate

Meijer, Inc.
01.2007 - 01.2012

Promotion Specialist

Meijer, Inc.
01.2000 - 01.2006

Buyer Assistant

Meijer, Inc.
01.1993 - 01.2000

Business Administration -

Davenport University

Business Administration -

Western Michigan University

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