ASHLEY HETZEL
Almond
Summary
Strategic-thinking Business Development Manager with over ten years of experience building relationships, cultivating partnerships, retaining top accounts and growing profit channels by establishing trust. Persuasive and self-motivated with expertise in expanding network connections and introducing products. Well-versed in educating clients, implementing pricing strategies and driving account development.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Strategic Account Manager
Kerry
06.2023 - Current
- Manage a portfolio of key accounts, such as Aldi, Wegman's, Topco, Trader Joe's, and others, ensuring high levels of client satisfaction and retention.
- Develop customized strategies for each account, resulting in strong partnerships and growth in new areas of the business.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for all account-related matters, building trust with key decision makers.
- Took the combined revenue from $800K to $12M over the span of 15-months.
- Generated pipeline to close revenue and attain quota, growing 2025-2026 pipeline to north of $25M.
- Lead an Account Manager, developing her customer facing skills, strategy, and ability to secure and grow new business with new retail partners.
Sr. Business Development Manager
Gehl Food & Beverage
01.2020 - 06.2023
- Manage strategic Private Label customer accounts within the organization, including Aldi, Albertsons, HEB, Kroger, Topco and others
- Fulfill category management objectives: Implement features/promotions quarterly; recommend merchandising solutions/beneficial planogram placements and look to add new items to assortment to expand sales base
- Manage/build relationships with buyers, category managers, brokers, sourcing directors, and project managers at each customer
- Successfully launch new private label programs within our beverage and food categories, while growing core business
- Forecast and budget each account to align with company goals, while managing inventory on hand, orders, and future production to ensure an effective supply chain
- Maintain customer confidence in an ever-changing supply chain market
Customer Business Manager
TreeHouse Foods Inc.
07.2019 - 01.2020
- Owned Topco Corporate business, along with all 52 members
- Managed high margin business while growing strategic categories like coffee, broth, RTD beverages, creamer, and others
- Responsible for shared label, and strategic member label, core business growth and new business launches
- Partnered with corporate, customer and broker contacts to create successful business opportunities for both parties
- Owned forecasting my businesses to gain efficiencies within the operations/production processes
- Managed seasonal categories with supply chain challenges to overcome
- Implemented pre-build program and cost savings advantages to customers
- Secured promotional plans and placement within each account
- Oversaw shipments and finish of plan
Associate Business Development Manager
TreeHouse Foods Inc.
08.2018 - 07.2019
- Owned Target and Topco Members
- Managed core business growth along with strategic new businesses
- Effectively streamlined business to gain internal production efficiencies while still providing successful programs to customers
- Managed relationships with multiple customer contacts and brokers
- Grew business at owned accounts while working with company strategic growth and profitability goals
Sr. Commercialization Analyst
TreeHouse Foods Inc.
05.2017 - 08.2018
- Owned project management of new item launches and product/label transitions for multiple strategic retailers, including Walmart, Sam's Club, Aldi, HEB, and others
- Oversaw item set up, artwork development, production and shipment processes to align with customer launch timelines
- Managed label transitions while eliminating write off exposure
- Partnered with Business Development Managers to ensure all customer needs are being met
Sales Planner
TreeHouse Foods Inc.
11.2016 - 05.2017
- Facilitate customer bids
- Manage customer communication, requests and paperwork
- Assist with coordinating finished goods and label inventories
- Work in internal systems, such as BI and SAP, to coordinate projects for Sales Lead and customer accounts
Project Coordinator
Sturm Foods, Inc
01.2015 - 11.2016
- Provide project management for opportunities within the business
- Assist in executing simplification goals, product trials in the plant, and coordinating all customer visits
- Plan/coordinate/facilitate all Quarterly Compass Meetings, Innovation Sessions, and Policy Deployment events
- Supervise the Office Services Assistant
Administrative Assistant
Sturm Foods, Inc
04.2013 - 01.2015
- Directly assist the Business Unit Sr
- VP and GM
- Assist in launch of new products/programs for business
- Facilitate/lead Innovation sessions
- Develop/create tracker to assist in Gap Closure Plans
- Supervise Office Services Assistants
Bill of Ladings Clerk
Sturm Foods, Inc
01.2013 - 04.2013
- Communicated daily with carriers, customers and employees
- Managed receiving team schedule
Senior Team Lead - Softlines
Target
07.2012 - 11.2012
- Supervised the store and specific department to manage total store operations and lead all team members on increasing sales and customer service
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration and Communication
UW-Stevens Point
Stevens Point, WI01.2012
Skills
- Market and competitive analysis
- Consultative and relationship selling
- Account and broker management
- Revenue development
- Forecasting/budget development
- Strong written and oral communication
Timeline
Strategic Account Manager
Kerry
06.2023 - Current
Sr. Business Development Manager
Gehl Food & Beverage
01.2020 - 06.2023
Customer Business Manager
TreeHouse Foods Inc.
07.2019 - 01.2020
Associate Business Development Manager
TreeHouse Foods Inc.
08.2018 - 07.2019
Sr. Commercialization Analyst
TreeHouse Foods Inc.
05.2017 - 08.2018
Sales Planner
TreeHouse Foods Inc.
11.2016 - 05.2017
Project Coordinator
Sturm Foods, Inc
01.2015 - 11.2016
Administrative Assistant
Sturm Foods, Inc
04.2013 - 01.2015
Bill of Ladings Clerk
Sturm Foods, Inc
01.2013 - 04.2013
Senior Team Lead - Softlines
Target
07.2012 - 11.2012
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration and Communication
UW-Stevens Point
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