Ely Trujillo
Las Vegas,NV
Summary
Dedicated produce professional with exceptional background spent in produce industry. Proven leader with engaging demeanor and success working in most demanding environments. Talented in training and mentoring successful team. With a history of meeting company goals utilizing consistent and organized practices. Skilled in working under pressure and adapting to new situations and challenges to best enhance the organizational brand.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
Managing Owner
Superior Growers LLC
01.2013 - 01.2023
- Maintaining grower relations within Mexico, Arizona, California, Texas, Florida, and Georgia.
- Oversaw business budget planning and administration, accounting functions, purchasing, and bi-weekly payroll to handle financial needs.
- Handling all rejections with in bound product with USDA/PACA inspections.
- Vast Knowledge in USDA/PACA laws.
- Creating purchasing contacts with growers and shippers with #2 product and second label produce for: large processors, Latin and Asian wholesale customers.
- Maintain and manage 30 person team of buyers, salesmen, repack crew, warehouse crew on site and remotely. While maintaining a yearly 97-100% Primus Labs Certification on repack and warehouse.
- Put together realistic budgets based upon costs and fees for successfully operating business.
- Organized and attended trade shows and special events to showcase products, network with other businesses and attract new customers.
- Conducted target market research to discover customer needs and analyze produce trends to make profitable buys and sells.
- Adhered to USDA and Primus Labs regulatory and policy changes and made necessary adjustments to maintain overall success.
- Interacted well with customers to build connections and nurture relationships.
- Trained and guided team members to maintain high productivity and performance metrics.
- Managed purchasing, sales, marketing and customer account operations efficiently.
- Observed each employee's individual strengths and initiated mentoring program to improve areas of weakness.
- Implemented business strategies, increasing revenue and effectively targeting new markets.
- Negotiated price and service with customers and vendors to decrease expenses and increase profit.
Vice President of Sales
Fresh-Veg Distributing Inc
07.2008 - 01.2013
- Developed short and long-term sales strategies to gain market share, uncover new sales opportunities and increase revenue.
- Created additional revenue streams by introducing new grower items, boosting revenue 50%.
- Increased revenue by implementing effective sales strategies in sales cycle process from prospecting leads through close.
- Negotiated and closed profitable sales contracts with new and existing customers to increase loyalty and retention.
- Established and maintained positive relationships with growers to determine product availability and quality.
- Exceeded sales goals by implementing aggressive sales programs, overhauling processes and facilitating market development.
- Monitored and adjusted pricing based on market trends and customer feedback to meet expectations and increase sales.
- Developed sales strategy based on research of consumer buying trends and market conditions.
Senior Produce Buyer
US Foodservice
02.2006 - 05.2008
- Negotiated policies and contracts with vendors to achieve optimal pricing and consistent availability.
- Determined lowest possible cost, factoring in quality, and reliability and negotiated favorable contracts.
- Drove supplier relationship management to improve KPIs.
- Ordered produce products and maintained appropriate back stock levels.
- Reviewed bids and contracts to place appropriate orders.
- Analyzed and controlled product transfers, waste and spoilage.
- Developed strategic purchasing programs to facilitate better access to needed supplies.
- Calculated estimated value and grades of crops, skillfully identifying mitigating concerns such as infestations and disease.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Dispatch trucks to pick up produce all over the USA growing regions. Making sure pick up and drop off was done to meet appointment times. While making sure this is accomplished with competitive rates.
- Communicated with vendors regarding inventory needs and negotiated prices to maintain profit margins.
- Dispensed purchase orders to suppliers with accurate pricing, deadlines and terms and conditions.
- Reviewed proposals, qualified vendors, and recommended optimal suppliers.
- Managed vendor purchase order dispatch, delivery, and invoicing to set contractual guidelines and maintain budgetary regulations.
- Documented purchasing information in Prism to maintain detailed and accurate records.
- Standardized inventory quarterly reporting and analysis and instituted corrective action for close-outs and out-of-stock items to keep inventory records current.
- Forecasted purchasing trends and improved merchandising strategies.
- Represented company at national and regional trade shows.
- Collaborated with buyers for special events and seasonal promotions to maintain adequate product stock and drive sales.
- Built long-term supplier relationships with vendors to establish quality and competitive pricing.
- Designed and implemented process improvements to streamline purchasing process.
- Analyzed current vendors and products to stay abreast of market trends and evaluate new suppliers.
- Employed expert inventory management and oversight skills to formulate business metrics and meet corporate goals of 99.8% fill rate.
Produce Sales
Fresh-Veg Distributing Inc
08.2000 - 02.2006
- Increased sales by offering advice on purchases and promoting additional products.
- Upheld high standards of customer service by promoting and upselling new products and services.
- Negotiated contracts with clients and developed relationships with key personnel.
- Generated new leads through networking and attending industry events.
- Generated weekly and monthly reports on sales performance to provide recommendations to meet sales goals.
- Met with existing customers and prospects to discuss business needs and recommend optimal solutions.
- QC produce before shipment and insure quality will meet customer's requirements.
- Manage logistics for customers that required delivered product. Including LTL and full load delivers.
Quality Control Inspector
Fresh Veg Distributing Inc
01.1992 - 08.2000
- Inspected incoming and outgoing produce for accuracy and quality.
- Communicated with growers and management about quality issues.
- Inspected quality of produce, taking note of appearance and other quality defects. Recommend USDA inspections.
- Insure precise measurements of produce by using special tools.
- Identified and documented quality discrepancies for management to develop resolutions.
Education
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZMaricopa Community Colleges - Mesa Community College
Mesa, AZSkills
- Issue Resolution
- Purchasing and Planning
- Work Planning and Prioritization
- Management Team Leadership
- Build Revenue Streams
- Adaptable and Flexible
- Strategize Plans
- Articulate Communication
- KPI Performance
- Corporate Strategy and Development
- Employee Motivation and Performance
- Strategic Decision-Making
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Quote
Winners are not those who never fail, but those who never quit..
Edwin Louis Cole
Timeline
Managing Owner
Superior Growers LLC
01.2013 - 01.2023
Vice President of Sales
Fresh-Veg Distributing Inc
07.2008 - 01.2013
Senior Produce Buyer
US Foodservice
02.2006 - 05.2008
Produce Sales
Fresh-Veg Distributing Inc
08.2000 - 02.2006
Quality Control Inspector
Fresh Veg Distributing Inc
01.1992 - 08.2000
Arizona State University
Maricopa Community Colleges - Mesa Community College
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