Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Workaddress
Additionalfunctionstraining
Affiliations
Timeline
Generic

Blake Nichols

Phoenix,AZ

Summary

Results-driven professional with experience in high-level management roles. Recognized for fostering team collaboration, across multiple functions and channels, while acquiring/developing talent throughout the organization. Known for adaptability and reliability in dynamic settings, with strong communication skills, and strategic planning capabilities. Fostering a sense of belonging and team culture continues to drive impactful outcomes beyond time in position.

Overview

18
18
years of professional experience

Work History

Institutional, VP of Distribution (Sysco)

Ecolab
05.2022 - Current
  • Cultivated strong relationships with key stakeholders at Sysco Global Support Center, including various departments such as Category Management, Supply Chain, Local Sales, and Sustainability
  • Lead successful sales team, delivering on multiple years of budget achievement (STB, NBT in both 2022 and 2023) - currently on pace to exceed sales targets in 2024 as well
  • Engaged cross-functional teams for the successful implementation of major projects such as two CES launches, multiple customer/DSR/Ecolab associate promotions, along with leveraging Digital Marketing capabilities through online sales portals (Sysco Shop, ATTO)
  • Demonstrated proficient leadership skills to motivate employees and build competent teams - 70+ associates have been promoted and/or taken on new opportunities coming from or coming into my business unit, including 7 to S1/S2 Levels and 14 District Managers
  • Collaborated with senior management to develop strategic initiatives and long term goals, such as the cross-divisional opportunities with Ecolab F&B, Nalco, Ecolab FSS, Lobster Ink, etc.
  • Negotiated high-value contracts that maximized profitability while mitigating risks for the organization - Secured new Guest Supply NA agreement at the end of 2022 (5-Year Agreement impacting over $500M of sales)
  • Collaborated with Ecolab Regions outside of NA to grow and acquire new partnerships with Sysco Internationally - helped to secure Sysco Bahamas in 2023 ($2M in annual competitive sales) and have begun European Sysco/Ecolab Agreement across UK, Ireland, Sweden, and France (launching joint brand, Keystone)

Institutional, AVP Area Manager (Mideast Area)

Ecolab Inc.
02.2018 - Current
  • Managing both the Sales & Service side of our Inst
  • Business throughout the Mid-Atlantic Geography (District of Columbia, State of Maryland, Virginia, parts of West Virginia and North Carolina)
  • Responsible for managing 125+ Associates, including 13 Direct Manager Reports
  • Oversee $85M in residual, annual business throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region
  • Achieved sales to budget in 2019, finishing the year at 100.1%
  • Promoted over 40+ associates within 36 months - four Corporate Account Manager Promotions, one Regional Sales Manager promotion, 10+ C5 level Manager Promotions, and several C4 Level promotions - Multi-multiple Cross Division Promotions as well
  • Actively engaged with multiple industry associations as lead liaison including MHLA, RAM-W, RAM, and VRLTA
  • Recognized as the Area Manager of the Year in our Inst
  • Division in 2020
  • Currently serving as the Executive Sponsor for our DC Chapter or EcoEssence and serves as a Senior Leader for both our E3 and MERGE ERG's here in the Mid-Atlantic Region
  • Develops and mentors three other Area Managers within our South Region

PureForce, Sr. Corp Account Manager (US Foods)

Ecolab Inc.
03.2016 - 02.2018
  • Corporate liaison between Ecolab and US Foods; on-site representation at US Foods Corp HQ
  • Managed multiple connections/responsibilities between the two organizations, touching sales, finance, marketing, R&D, operations, and supply chain functions
  • Responsible for a handful of Regional/Multi-Loc concepts (PitaPit, Mooyah, Halal Guys, etc.)
  • Created and rolled-out new training program for US Foods New Hires across the country; improved process and project management through development of US Foods TM onboarding training program
  • Led the effort conversion of local Wisconsin Food Distributor, Dierks-Waukesha acquisition to MCF program ($600K+ in annual sales)
  • Executed PF to MCF conversion of 30+ SKUs, helped to launch AFVT, Peroxide RTU, CSR, and multiple other new innovative products in the MCF line
  • Established new digital sales tools/portals such as Simple Addition, FSS programs through US Foods, and the USF Distribution Center Cleaning Program
  • Held dual responsibilities, remained responsible for managing PF/US Foods Great Lakes Region until Sept 2016

PureForce, Regional Sales Manager (US Foods)

Ecolab Inc.
04.2015 - 02.2016
  • Managed the Great Lakes Region and all DSDMs throughout the Midwest US Foods Markets/Distribution Centers
  • Learned about our Distributor Partner's priorities and how we can mutually be successful through grow and gain activities driving co-owned Monogram CleanForce (MCF) brand
  • 101.3% of US Foods Budget, 99.2% NBT Budget
  • Increased USF Out's Sales: R6: 95.7%, R3: 97.31%, R1: 99.19%
  • Implemented new sales expectations/training and have held my team to a higher standard
  • Alleviated ongoing issues at multiple Divisions by setting mutual goals and exceeding them
  • Increased New Dish Machines placements through USF to 50+ per month (reached positive Net placements by end of 2016)
  • Engaged talent acquisition and development conversations with multiple associates, promoted 2 DSDMs into elevated roles and on-boarded 4 new DSDMs onto the team

Institutional, District Sales Manager (Desert Area)

Ecolab Inc.
08.2013 - 03.2015
  • Finished 2014 at 103.8% of budget, with a 9.5% sales increase of $740,000+
  • Finished #1 on Performance Track for the Desert Area in 2014
  • Won District Manager of the Year of the Desert Area - 2014
  • Hired five new associates, had four associates receive promotions

Institutional, District Sales Manager (PNW Area)

Ecolab Inc.
04.2012 - 07.2013
  • Finished 2012 at 100.4% of budget, with a 6.6% sales increase of $340,000
  • Rated #2 on Performance Track for the PNW Area in 2012
  • Positioned team to overcome an $80,000+ deficit
  • Completed role with team at 104.3% of 2013 budget, rated top 20 in the nation at the time
  • Hired one new Blended Territory Manager, had one Route Manager promoted

Institutional, Distributor Sales Development Manager (Desert Area)

Ecolab Inc.
01.2011 - 03.2012
  • Managed the US Foods Phoenix Distribution House
  • Finished 150% of Sales Budget
  • Helped sell the Scottsdale Culinary Centers, Maven Hospitality Group, and Pinnacle Peak Country Club
  • Aided multiple managers/field reps in securing and retaining key accounts in the area

Institutional, Street Sales Development Manager (Desert Area)

Ecolab Inc.
09.2009 - 12.2010
  • Managed New Business Development in the San Diego Market
  • Averaged 6.6 new accounts per month, 7.2 solutions per customer, $4,750 annual sales per account per month
  • Sold the Hilton Torrey Pines HHC business and the Andaz San Diego FS Business

Institutional, Territory Manager - Scottsdale (Desert Area)

Ecolab Inc.
07.2008 - 08.2009

Institutional, Territory Manager - Tempe (Desert Area)

Ecolab Inc.
04.2007 - 06.2008

Institutional, TMIT (Desert Area)

Ecolab Inc.
07.2006 - 03.2007

Education

Bachelor of Business Administration - Integrated Supply Matrix Management

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI
05.2006

Skills

  • Talent Acquisition and Development
  • Coaching and Mentoring
  • Cross Functional Leadership Focus
  • Proficient in multiple Microsoft Applications (Including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams)
  • Salesforce Application/Dashboard Management
  • PowerBI Reporting
  • Project Management
  • Process Development/Improvement

Workaddress

4855 International Blvd., Frederick, MD, 21703

Additionalfunctionstraining

  • Growth Leaders Participant, 2021
  • Voice of the Field Leader during the One Institutional Transition, 2020/2021
  • Karass Negotiating Seminar, Fall 2017
  • Leadership Excellence Participant, Spring 2016
  • Emerging Leaders Sponsor, 2016
  • UK Compass Rollout, 2015
  • Harvard Manage Mentor, 2013

Affiliations

  • Ecolab ERGs: EcoEssence, E3, Pride
  • NRA Education Foundation/ProStart Contributor
  • Maryland Hotel & Lodging Association, former Board Member

Timeline

Institutional, VP of Distribution (Sysco)

Ecolab
05.2022 - Current

Institutional, AVP Area Manager (Mideast Area)

Ecolab Inc.
02.2018 - Current

PureForce, Sr. Corp Account Manager (US Foods)

Ecolab Inc.
03.2016 - 02.2018

PureForce, Regional Sales Manager (US Foods)

Ecolab Inc.
04.2015 - 02.2016

Institutional, District Sales Manager (Desert Area)

Ecolab Inc.
08.2013 - 03.2015

Institutional, District Sales Manager (PNW Area)

Ecolab Inc.
04.2012 - 07.2013

Institutional, Distributor Sales Development Manager (Desert Area)

Ecolab Inc.
01.2011 - 03.2012

Institutional, Street Sales Development Manager (Desert Area)

Ecolab Inc.
09.2009 - 12.2010

Institutional, Territory Manager - Scottsdale (Desert Area)

Ecolab Inc.
07.2008 - 08.2009

Institutional, Territory Manager - Tempe (Desert Area)

Ecolab Inc.
04.2007 - 06.2008

Institutional, TMIT (Desert Area)

Ecolab Inc.
07.2006 - 03.2007

Bachelor of Business Administration - Integrated Supply Matrix Management

Western Michigan University

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