Benjamin Ueda
Discovery Bay,CA
Summary
Passionate Retail executive with over 30+ years in the food and drug store industry looking to bring mentorship into a retailer’s culture to coach and train our future industry leaders.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President Private Label
The Savemart Companies
01.2021 - 01.2023
- Responsible for all stages of private label product development, in dry grocery, frozen grocery, dairy, dairy deli, general merchandise, health and beauty care, produce, meat, deli prepared foods, and bakery
- Manage partnership strategies with internal & external merchants and marketers to build consumer loyalty programs.
- Increase market share in food and mass channels
- Increase sales mix of private label to total company sales
- Increase gross margins for the total company
Vice President Frozen, Dairy, Dairy Deli
The Savemart Companies
01.2018 - 01.2021
- Fiscal responsibility for all department sales and profit margins for all Savemart banners
- Our team of 3 category managers were directly responsible for creating all promotional programs, product assortment, product placement and pricing of all department products
- Partner with largest dairy and frozen food suppliers to build joint business plans.
- Identified opportunities to improve business process flows and productivity.
- Established performance goals for department and outlined processes for achievement.
- Increased sales 12% through aggressive sales program overhaul, market campaigns and new product launches.
Senior Director of Merchandising
The Savemart Companies
06.2012 - 01.2018
- Responsible for all dry grocery, frozen grocery, dairy, dairy deli, general merchandise and health beauty care, department sales and profits for all Lucky California Stores
- Managed 8 category managers who were directly responsible for all promotional programs, basic and seasonal product assortment, category schematics, and pricing of all department products
- Built strong business relationships with the largest CPG companies in the US
- Created unique neighborhood merchandising and marketing programs that were focused on the diversity of Northern California’s bay area.
- Drove strategic improvements to enhance operational and organizational efficiencies.
- Met with District Managers/Store Managers and provided staff support to attain organizational goals.
Category Manager
The Savemart Company
01.2012 - 05.2012
- Monitored market to capitalize on latest trends.
- Maximized category turnover through proactive management strategies.
- Identified and reported key performance indicators to define successful category management.
- Partnered with buyers to develop category-appropriate order frequency for spend under management.
- Researched, prepared for and led supplier negotiation process for managed category.
Business Manager – Safeway Corporation
Advantage Sales & Marketing
01.2008 - 01.2011
- Managed the Mars Confection line at Safeway Corporate for all 13 US divisions
- Responsible for driving company initiatives, managing trade funds, building promotional plans, implementing inventory management guidelines and providing forecasting for supply chain.
- Communicated with customers and vendors positively with particular attention to problem resolution.
- Created, managed, and executed business plan and communicated company vision and objectives to motivate teams.
Category Manager
Longs Drugs Stores
01.2006 - 01.2008
- Managed process and decision-making for the development of various seasonal programs, including Christmas Trim a Tree, Home Décor, Trim a Home, Lights, Christmas Wrap, BBQ, Patio, Swim Dive, and Summer Housewares
- Skilled in overseeing overseas buying trips to China for product development and cost negotiation, as well as managing all aspects of the importation process from China and Hong Kong
- Proficient in creating and presenting seasonal catalogs for stores to facilitate product ordering, and adept at managing packaging and design specifications tailored for clients such as Longs Drugs.
- Monitored market to capitalize on latest trends.
Project Manager 6Sigma
Albertsons, Northern California
01.2003 - 01.2006
- Results-oriented professional accountable for ensuring the integrity and financial success of projects over a 2-year period post-project closure
- Effective in managing teams and division resources to drive innovative solutions, with a track record of completing 4-5 projects annually
- Proficient in utilizing the 6Sigma methodology and statistical analysis, collaborating with division experts to identify process enhancements
- Skilled in implementing improvements that yield measurable financial gains for the company
- Experienced in developing financial translators to meticulously track the costs and benefits of each project.
- Monitored project performance to identify areas of improvement and make adjustments.
- Coordinated with cross-functional teams to resolve project issues and mitigate risks.
General Manager Category Manager
Albertsons, Northern California
01.2002 - 01.2003
- Overseeing multiple categories including Candy, Seasonal merchandise, one-time promotions, greeting cards, party goods, books, magazines, and charcoal
- Accountable for optimizing sales and profit margins in all Northern California Food Stores
- Proficient in managing pricing strategies, promotional calendars, and negotiating terms with vendors and brokers to achieve cost efficiencies
- Successfully created and executed customer incentive promotions in collaboration with vendors to enhance basket size
- Developed and implemented strategies to increase sales and profitability.
- Monitored financial performance, set budgets and controlled expenses to provide financial stability and long-term organizational growth.
- Drove year-over-year business growth while leading operations, strategic vision, and long-range planning.
General Merchandise Division Operation Manager
Albertsons, Intermountain Division
01.1999 - 01.2002
- Dedicated Operational Manager for the General Merchandise Division overseeing 24 stores in the Boise-Ontario region
- Key responsibilities include driving merchandising execution and creating labor budgets for the assigned stores
- Implemented robust controls to ensure quarterly budget achievement
- Played a pivotal role in promoting and training General Merchandise Managers, fostering their development to achieve financial and service goals that ultimately improved store net earnings.
- Managed and motivated employees to be productive and engaged in work.
- Accomplished multiple tasks within established timeframes.
Market Manager – Retail Operations
American Stores, Sav-On Drugs
01.1996 - 01.1999
- Dynamic role as the leader overseeing profitability and operational functions for 5 Sav-On Combo stores in the Bay Area
- Instrumental in managing store P&L to meet or surpass assigned budget projections
- Adept at coaching management teams in cultivating positive, competitive, and successful environments that achieve financial and customer-oriented goals
- Demonstrated commitment to employee development by creating training programs that encourage associates to pursue career advancement within the stores and the company
- Proven proficiency in managing store inventory levels to align with sales volume and turnover
- Skillfully coordinates merchandising programs with food partners to deliver a seamless shopping experience for customers.
- Coached sales team members in effective selling strategies and merchandising techniques.
Store
American Stores Inc. Sav-On Division
01.1989 - 01.1996
- Worked as a various management positions within the store up to a Store Manager.
- Greeted customers, helped locate merchandise, and suggested suitable options.
- Displayed merchandise by arranging in appealing ways to boost sales.
- Checked pricing, scanned items, applied discounts, and printed receipts to ring up customers.
- Answered questions about store policies and addressed customer concerns.
Education
6Sigma Project Management Certificate -
Albertson’s Six Sigma
01.2006
Food Industry Management Program -
University of Southern California
01.2004
Bachelor’s Degree - Business
University of Idaho
01.1988
Skills
- Developing team members to be future leaders
- Building business strategies
- Recruitment and management
- Verbal and written skills
- Promoting innovative ideas
- Team building
- Process management
- Analytical
- Category Management
- Promotional planning
- Product development
- Store layout planning
Hobbies and Interests
- Traveling
- Fishing
- Working on old cars
- Welding
- Trap shooting
Timeline
Vice President Private Label
The Savemart Companies
01.2021 - 01.2023
Vice President Frozen, Dairy, Dairy Deli
The Savemart Companies
01.2018 - 01.2021
Senior Director of Merchandising
The Savemart Companies
06.2012 - 01.2018
Category Manager
The Savemart Company
01.2012 - 05.2012
Business Manager – Safeway Corporation
Advantage Sales & Marketing
01.2008 - 01.2011
Category Manager
Longs Drugs Stores
01.2006 - 01.2008
Project Manager 6Sigma
Albertsons, Northern California
01.2003 - 01.2006
General Manager Category Manager
Albertsons, Northern California
01.2002 - 01.2003
General Merchandise Division Operation Manager
Albertsons, Intermountain Division
01.1999 - 01.2002
Market Manager – Retail Operations
American Stores, Sav-On Drugs
01.1996 - 01.1999
Store
American Stores Inc. Sav-On Division
01.1989 - 01.1996
6Sigma Project Management Certificate -
Albertson’s Six Sigma
Food Industry Management Program -
University of Southern California
Bachelor’s Degree - Business
University of Idaho
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