David Watson
Sales Management Professional
Pelham,AL
Summary
Performance-oriented Sales Leader offering exceptional record of achievement over 20+ year career. Tenacious manager with strategic and analytical approach to solving problems, bringing in customers and accomplishing profit targets. Talented in identifying and capitalizing on emerging market trends and revenue opportunities.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Food Service Distributor Sales Manager
Osborn Foodservice
03.2021 - Current
- Resolve customer relations issues, enabling quick resolutions and client satisfaction
- Maintain and build strong relationships with key business partners and develop new ones by identifying needs and offering appropriate services and goal directives
- Coach employees in successful selling methods, and product knowledge and encourage cross-selling to drive revenue and build strong controllable and expandable sales territories
- Interview, hire, and train highly qualified staff by teaching best practices, procedures, and sales strategies to warrant more effective successes more often
- Grew sales over $10M in three years while boosting profits, applied proactive management strategies, and developed and enhanced sales training techniques
- Monitor customer buying trends, market trends and conditions and competitor actions to adjust strategies to achieve sales goals
- Leads monthly sales meetings in all aspects
- Communicate product quality and market comparisons by creating sales presentations
- Exceeded sales quotas and increased profitability through effective sales strategy and business planning
- Build relationships with customers and community to establish long-term trustworthiness and business growth
- Recruited, interviewed and hired employees and implemented mentoring programs to promote positive feedback and engagement
- Enhanced profitability by developing pipelines utilizing marketing and sales strategies
- Held one-on-one meetings with sales team members to identify selling hurdles and offered insight into best remedy to overcome hurdles.
- Compiled and analyzed data to determine approaches to improve sales and performance
- Engaged in product training, demonstrations, consumer awareness, branding, and acquisition initiatives to raise awareness and grow revenues
- Monitored sales performance metrics regularly, identifying areas for improvement and implementing necessary adjustments
- Attended trade shows, networking events, and conferences to expand brand presence and generate new leads
- Prepared sales presentations for clients showing creative uses and cross merchandising of products.
Marketing / Business Consultant/ Executive Chef
Osborn Foodservice
03.2021 - Current
- Collaborate with sales team to increase brand awareness and enhance business development by building and maintaining relationships with all accounts
- Consult with clients on business issues and develop innovative, high-impact proposals
- Develop technical and non-technical marketing presentations, public relations campaigns, create articles and Point of Sale to promote and feature items for successful business sales growth
- Built and developed first Culinary Team established for this distributor and continue to represent distributor at cooking competitions and community events
- Crafted persuasive proposals that secured high-value projects from both new and existing clients
- Delivered successful projects within tight deadlines, ensuring consistent client satisfaction and timely project completion
- Established strong client relationships through excellent communication and negotiation skills to secure long-term contracts
- Enhanced team productivity by providing guidance on effective time management and prioritization techniques.
Southeast Regional Sales Manager
Wamplers Farm Sausage
05.2017 - 03.2021
- Achieved regional sales objectives in Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Florida, and Louisiana, by coordinating with multiple foodservice distributors, sales teams and food broker sales teams
- Developed successful strategies and serviced accounts to strengthen all parts of business relationships and sales growth
- Made onsite sales calls to established and prospective customers to help sales representatives close lucrative deals for business growth
- Finalized sales contracts with high-value customers
- Designed and created point of sale sheets to drive sales
- Participated in numerous trade food shows throughout sales territory for numerous food distribution companies
- Called on and sold items from numerous MFGs to several military installations and supported items by showing DEFAC areas how to properly prepare and serve purchased items
Food Sales Brokerage
Sales Concepts Brokerage
08.2013 - 05.2017
- Demonstrated products to customers and emphasized key features and benefits to close sales
- Attended numerous food shows throughout Southeast representing manufacturers and their items for food distributor companies
- Represented manufacturers featuring items for food service operations in categories such as Military, K-12, Concession Venues, Retail Chains, Restaurants and Muli-unit accounts for overall foodservice accounts
- Traveled with numerous distributor sales representatives across Alabama and Florida panhandle to support sales growth
- Trained culinary personnel at several military installations on proper cooking techniques and helped develop SOP procedures
- Worked with and supported all food service distributors in Alabama
- Participated in monthly sales meetings for foodservice distributors.
- Educated Sales and developed strong product knowledge to effectively answer customer questions and assist with purchasing and growing sales
- Prospected new customer leads from online and in-person methods
- Demonstrated products to customers and emphasized key features and benefits as well as ease of use to close sales
- Created point of sale for all distributors and manufacturers supported
Food Service Distributor Sales Representative
Merchants Foodservice
05.2012 - 08.2013
- Drove team revenue totals by bringing in top sales numbers in assigned territory
- Wrote and submitted sales contracts for orders obtained and submitted orders for processing daily
- Stayed abreast of industry changes and trends, identifying and pursuing new business opportunities
- Worked with sales leaders in development and implementation of "big picture" strategies to secure business from competitors
- Performed cost-benefit analysis of existing and potential customers for informed decision making.
Food Sales Brokerage
United Foodservice Sales/Acosta Food Service Brokerage
01.2001 - 05.2012
- Traveled across territory to connect with established and prospective customers
- Tracked stocking levels of supported products and worked with distributor logistics teams to maintain optimal supply levels
- Demonstrated products to customers and emphasized key features and benefits to close sales
- Partnered with sales representatives to drive sales for distributors on manufacturers that were represented
- Achieved performance goals by developing new revenue streams and increasing sales from existing accounts
- Built rapport with account decision-makers to achieve long-term sales results and trust
- Called on and sold numerous items, from MFGs to several military installations and supported items by showing DEFAC areas how to properly prepare and serve purchased items
- Assigned to Sysco Central Alabama to work with marketing associates by training and educating to build relationships in their designated territory
- Participated in monthly sales meetings by representing selected manufacturers and their products.
Consultant Executive Chef/Director of Catering/Food and Beverage Director
Marriott
07.1998 - 01.2001
- Developed menus, controlled food cost, and oversaw quality, sanitation, and safety processes
- Estimated food consumption and requisitioned food, selected, and developed recipes, standardized production recipes for consistent quality and established presentations
- Created visually appealing plate presentations that elevated perceived value of each dish served while remaining cost effectiveness
- Introduced new cooking techniques to enhance flavors, resulting in improved customer feedback and repeat business.
- Purchased, handled, and stored food properly to eliminate illness and prevent cross-contamination
- Developed kitchen staff through training, education, quality control standards guidelines monitoring, and performance reviews
- Met with various clients and designed banquets and conference themed events
- Managed budget constraints effectively, negotiating with suppliers for competitive pricing on ingredients without sacrificing quality.
- Organized and oversaw high profile community functions such as Senior Bowl, GMAC Bowl, and numerous local and national VIP guest events
- Successfully catered high-profile events, showcasing restaurant's culinary prowess and solidifying its reputation as top-tier dining establishment.
- Enhanced dining experiences by designing innovative menus and incorporating seasonal ingredients.
Executive Chef, General Manager
Naman's Catering
04.1995 - 07.1998
- Maintained safe and sanitary work environment, adhering to health department standards and regulations.
- Trained and mentored new staff members in kitchen safety, sanitation and cooking techniques.
- Implemented special events promotions such as theme nights or cooking demonstrations to attract new clientele and boost sales revenues.
- Estimated food consumption and requisitioned food, selected, and developed recipes, standardized production recipes for consistent quality and established presentation techniques
- Scheduled and received food and beverage deliveries, adhering to food cost and budget
- Inventoried food, ingredient, and supply stock to prepare and plan vendor orders
- Participated in community outreach events such as charity dinners or fundraisers to give back to local community while promoting brand awareness.
- Spearheaded kitchen renovations to optimize workflow efficiency without compromising quality or safety standards.
- Managed kitchen staff at multi unit locations for efficient food production, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality dishes.
Education
Troy State University
Skills
Territory Management
Competitor Analysis
Client Relationship Management
Profitability Assessments
Sales Presentations
Accomplishments
Broker of the year for Sysco Central Alabama and Merchants Food Service
Regional of the year for Sutherland Food Service
Timeline
Food Service Distributor Sales Manager
Osborn Foodservice
03.2021 - Current
Marketing / Business Consultant/ Executive Chef
Osborn Foodservice
03.2021 - Current
Southeast Regional Sales Manager
Wamplers Farm Sausage
05.2017 - 03.2021
Food Sales Brokerage
Sales Concepts Brokerage
08.2013 - 05.2017
Food Service Distributor Sales Representative
Merchants Foodservice
05.2012 - 08.2013
Food Sales Brokerage
United Foodservice Sales/Acosta Food Service Brokerage
01.2001 - 05.2012
Consultant Executive Chef/Director of Catering/Food and Beverage Director
Marriott
07.1998 - 01.2001
Executive Chef, General Manager
Naman's Catering
04.1995 - 07.1998
Troy State University