Candace N. Leath
St. Petersburg,FL
Summary
Professional Summary
Results-driven sales professional with 20 years of experience in the food service industry. Expertise in building relationships, driving sales growth, and enhancing customer satisfaction. Skilled in identifying client needs, providing tailored solutions, and maintaining high service standards. Strong communication, negotiation, and problem-solving abilities with a focus on achieving sales targets and fostering long-term business partnerships.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Business Development Manager
Tucker Safety Products
01.2024 - Current
- Increased client base by identifying new business opportunities and cultivating strong relationships with key decision-makers.
- Delivered sales presentations to prospective clients, highlighting unique value proposition of our products and services.
- Successfully resolved escalated issues, preventing potential loss of valuable clients while maintaining positive relationships with all parties involved.
- Developed customized solutions for clients based on a deep understanding of their unique pain points, delivering exceptional value and driving repeat business.
- Generated new business with marketing initiatives and strategic plans.
- Organized trade shows and events within the territory to showcase company products, generating leads and increasing brand exposure.
Account Manager
Franke Foodservice Solutions
01.2022 - 01.2024
- Develops and maintains relationships with assigned key customer contacts and corporate departmental decision-makers to assure complete understanding and knowledge of customer operational and menu objectives / plans and customer political atmosphere.
- Establish and execute regularly scheduled executive review process with both corporate senior managers and critical regional stakeholders.
- Coordinates and communicates results of all new product field testing and takes immediate action to resolve any product performance issues that may arise during test period.
- Investigates and determines cause of customer initiated issues related to product functionality and / or service levels and provides timely internal and external communication of corrective actions implemented.
- Addressed problems with accounting, billing and service delivery to maintain and enhance client satisfaction.
- Oversaw new business development and customer servicing.
Project Manager II
Franke Food Service Supply
07.2016 - 01.2022
- Responsible for managing all aspects of key projects as assigned by leadership and stakeholders
- Manage day-to-day project development from quote initiation to installation completion
- Organize projects in logical, cost effective, and measurable steps
- Track and report project progress on consistent and accurate basis to all stakeholders
- Integrate company standards and policies with project requirements
- Recommend solutions, implementation, and deployment within project life-cycle
- Document and report project information, as needed, utilizing appropriate systems
- Provide training following project development.
- Updated operational methods and oversaw accounting procedures for improved efficiency
- Orchestrated projects within strict timeframes and budget constraints by solving complex problems and working closely with senior leaders
- Facilitated communication between internal personnel, contractors and vendors for project cohesion
Invoice Processing Lead
Franke Food Service Systems, Inc
11.2013 - 07.2016
- Responsible for IPS teams managed workload and to assist Billing Manager with any issues that arise
- Follow Standard Operating Procedures, Work Instructions, and Internal Control procedures for processing service invoices
- Communicates with Service Provider in timely manner to clarify information on submitted invoice and before requesting adjustment on invoice
- Exercises reasonable judgment when errors are found during invoice process, escalating timely to Billing Manager to achieve both customer satisfaction and financial objectives
- Reconciles Service Providers statements in timely manner
- Handles all escalation invoices from processing agents that can’t be resolved with Service Provider
- Assigns team’s daily workload and goals and ensures teams reaches goals that day
- Runs all reports for Metric Boardwalk, as well as reports ensuring processing agents are processing invoices accurately.
- Participated in continuous improvement by generating suggestions, engaging in problem-solving activities to support teamwork
Transportation Planner
Ozburn Hessey Logistics Inc
07.2012 - 11.2013
- Assumes responsibility for load planning, routing and scheduling of all modes
- Tracks carrier pick up performance and prepares reports for customers and internal distribution
- Provides load exception investigation and reporting as well as financial reporting on actual vs Planned cost per shipment
- Weighs alternative financial decisions before taking action
- Issued shipping instructions and provided routing information to achieve on-time, accurate deliveries
- Monitored department performance data to avoid and identify potential risks
- Optimized shipping methods to reduce time in transit and lower costs, decreasing transit time
- Monitored and tracked drivers to verify on-time delivery, achieving 97% on-time delivery rate
Project Manager
Franke FoodService Systems, Inc
06.2010 - 07.2012
- Developed and initiated projects, managed costs and monitored performance
- Manage day-to-day operational aspects of project and scope to minimize risk
- Manage timely process of returned merchandise authorizations within company guidelines
- Assist in creating and implementing key performance indicators
- Manage union workers schedules , time sheets , and expense reports
- Met project deadlines without sacrificing build quality or workplace safety
- Provided detailed product orders based on project drawings and technical specifications
- Identified plans and resources required to meet project goals and objectives
Cash Management Specialist
Franke Management, Inc
11.2008 - 06.2010
- Applied cash accurately for large number of customers and five different business units
- Reconciled intercompany and deposit accounts monthly
- Compiled Accounts Receivable Aging reports for multiple business units
- Identified improvement changes regarding key processes for internal controls and accounting procedures
- Established and enforced internal controls, workflows and policies for tracking, reconciling and reporting on accounting activities
- Performed routine closings, maintained clean, accurate and accessible records and kept close eye on transaction updates throughout each quarter
Collections Specialist
FRANKE RESUPPLY, INC
01.2004 - 01.2008
- Worked as Collections specialist in Foodservice Industry with focus on account reconciliation and customer relations
- Chaired task force that reduced +365 day buckets 35% in six month project.
- Achieved performance goals on consistent basis
- Set up drafts and processed immediate payments after conducting thorough research and analysis of account
- Researched accounts and completed due diligence to resolve collection problems
- Collected, compiled and analyzed data to prepare customer invoices per contractual requirements
- Prepared spreadsheets using formulas, V-lookup and other intermediate and advanced Microsoft Excel skills
Education
Motlow State Community College
Tullahoma, TNHigh School Diploma -
LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
05.1999
Skills
- Microsoft Office, with strong skills in Excel, Word, Outlook, Power Point, and Access
- Operating systems including, Primary Business Solutions, Lotus Notes, Oracle, and IFS
- Strategic Account Planning
- Account Management
- Project Management
- New Business Opportunities
Timeline
Business Development Manager
Tucker Safety Products
01.2024 - Current
Account Manager
Franke Foodservice Solutions
01.2022 - 01.2024
Project Manager II
Franke Food Service Supply
07.2016 - 01.2022
Invoice Processing Lead
Franke Food Service Systems, Inc
11.2013 - 07.2016
Transportation Planner
Ozburn Hessey Logistics Inc
07.2012 - 11.2013
Project Manager
Franke FoodService Systems, Inc
06.2010 - 07.2012
Cash Management Specialist
Franke Management, Inc
11.2008 - 06.2010
Collections Specialist
FRANKE RESUPPLY, INC
01.2004 - 01.2008
High School Diploma -
LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Motlow State Community College
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