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
Northern California And Reno Market
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
Northern California And Reno Markets
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
Northern California And Reno Market
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
Northern California And Reno Markets
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
Northern California
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
California
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
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
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
Idaho
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
California
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
California
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