Cole Whitaker
Hebron,KY
Summary
Results-driven sales and operations leader with over 8 years experience in B2B customer sales and people leadership within PepsiCo. Proven expertise in managing high-performing teams, driving topline sales growth, controlling costs to deliver bottom line performance, and excelling in customer relationship management. Recognized for high-level negotiating skills, strategic leadership, and delivering measurable business outcomes in unionized and DOT environments. Adept at leading large-scale change management initiatives and building lasting client relationships to achieve organizational objectives.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Area Delivery Manager
PepsiCo
01.2025 - Current
- Govern three distribution centers, leading a team of five delivery supervisors and 70 frontline drivers delivering over 13M cases annually.
- Implement process improvements to streamline operations and ensure efficient and enhanced delivery services.
Sales Operations Manager
PepsiCo
01.2022 - 12.2024
- Oversaw four delivery supervisors and three merchandising supervisors across two distribution centers with 225 frontline employees and 11M annual cases.
- Spearheaded change management projects streamlining operational efficiency, customer and employee satisfaction.
- Directly responsible for P&L optimizing financial performance and meeting strict budgets.
Foodservice Key Account Manager
PepsiCo
01.2020 - 12.2021
- Managed a sales geography generating 475K annual cases and contributing $8M in net revenue.
- Prospected and secured new business worth $543K in annual net revenue.
- Awarded the Q1 "PepsiCo Way" award and recognized nationally by the PepsiCo CEO for outstanding performance.
Sales District Leader
PepsiCo
09.2018 - 12.2019
- Led a team of ten pre-sell representatives, achieving a 33% promotion rate among team members.
- Ranked #1 in the market for net revenue growth in 2019.
- Developed and executed sales strategies to drive topline business growth and customer satisfaction.
Merchandising Team Lead
PepsiCo
11.2017 - 08.2018
- Oversaw directly a team of 65 unionized merchandisers, upholding company merchandising standards and efficiently managing labor and servicing customers.
- Built a strong team through effective team leadership and and utilized resource management for operational efficiency.
Pre-Sell Representative
PepsiCo
06.2016 - 10.2017
- Ran a sales route generating over 322K annual cases and $3.2M in annual net revenue.
- Executed frontline sales initiatives to enhance customer satisfaction and revenue growth.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Professional Sales & Sales Management
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN05-2016
Skills
- B2B Sales
- Leadership and Team Mgmt
- Customer Relationship Selling
- Operations Mgmt & Strategic Planning
- Sales Prospecting
- P&L Financial Mgmt
- Foodservice & On-Premise Sales
- Change Mgmt Leadership
- Contract Negotiating
- Union & DOT Environment Experience
Timeline
Area Delivery Manager
PepsiCo
01.2025 - Current
Sales Operations Manager
PepsiCo
01.2022 - 12.2024
Foodservice Key Account Manager
PepsiCo
01.2020 - 12.2021
Sales District Leader
PepsiCo
09.2018 - 12.2019
Merchandising Team Lead
PepsiCo
11.2017 - 08.2018
Pre-Sell Representative
PepsiCo
06.2016 - 10.2017
Bachelor of Science - Professional Sales & Sales Management
Purdue University
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