Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Timeline
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Ian Gearhart

Louisville

Summary

Results-driven CPG and beverage professional with a proven track record of driving sales growth, enhancing brand visibility, and executing data-backed strategies. Expertise in managing large retail group partnerships, merchandising planning, and comprehensive category management to maximize profitability and boost consumer engagement. Strategic thinker adept at leveraging market insights to inform decision-making and optimize performance. Committed to delivering exceptional outcomes through innovative solutions and collaborative approaches.

Overview

8
8
years of professional experience

Work History

Key Account Manager-Spirits Division

Keg 1 River City
06.2025 - Current
  • Manage and grow a portfolio 30+ key off-premise accounts representing the Brown Forman spirits portfolio, building relationships with decision-makers and staff to influence product placement and sales.
  • Execute promotional programs, new product placements, and merchandising initiatives while adapting to evolving supplier priorities in a dynamic start-up phase for the territory.
  • Develop call schedules, track account activities, and maintain brand presence despite system limitations, leveraging in-person communication and field insights to support sales growth.
  • Collaborate with cross-channel beer and spirits teams to ensure coordinated service and maximize in-store visibility.
  • Provide market feedback to management and suppliers to improve execution strategies and address launch challenges.

Customer Account Lead

General Mills
05.2023 - 06.2025
  • Responsible for Dry Baking and Natural/Organic business at Hy-Vee which entails calling on Hy-Vee corporate managers across desserts, flour, organic grain, organic fruit snacks, & other natural/organic categories.
  • Actively collaborated & negotiated with Hy-Vee category managers on JBPs, pricing, distribution, & trade spend.
  • Grew Reported Net Sales by 5%, dollar volume by 11%, & market share while coming in below target spending targets.
  • Understood customer needs and links them to GMI’s product and service strategies to develop mutually beneficial business plans.
  • Leveraged established GMI processes to establish objectives, engage the customer, explore customer interests, explain solutions, and execute commitments.
  • Netted +50 (+7 across Dry Baking/Desserts & Nat/Org businesses) influencing distribution with innovation at Hy-Vee at close of F24.
  • Grew incremental $ on core Desserts/Dry baking such as, Mid Tier Cake (+29%) Prem. Brownie (+6.6%), Flour (100%), and Cookie (+3.7%) for Hy-Vee YTD.
  • Outpaced ROM YTD on core Nat/Org Mac and Cheese business in both $ turns (+7.7%) and total units (+8%).
  • Engaging leader for 2 remote co-workers s and local employees to take an active role in helping develop as they build their fundamentals at General Mills, different customer knowledge, and business acumen.

Account Management Representative

General Mills
04.2022 - 05.2023
  • Executed plans across all Operating Units across 7 AWG retail groups, including one top 10 group, and two Ad Groups.
  • Maintained detailed records of all client interactions for accurate reporting purposes and data-driven insights into future strategy development efforts.
  • Responsible to sell in pre-approved promotional plans and provide their customers with contracts and sell sheets for new items, promotional activity, and then manage the plans throughout the execution.
  • Support, sell and attend industry events (e.g., food shows, customer sales meetings and events, etc.)
  • Retrieve and analyze syndicated customer and consumer data to understand category and/or industry trends.
  • Leverages national category management selling stories to drive GMI growth and distribution.
  • Understand and leverage category management principles to influence share of shelving and display.
  • Obtain service level data from internal system for presentation to internal leadership team and AWG Category Managers.
  • Helped achieve company sales goals while being under spend goals.

Retail Sales Representative

General Mills
12.2020 - 04.2022
  • Responsible for a 40+ store territory in the Louisville Market.
  • Utilize analytical data to drive sales at store level.
  • Prepare for retail sales calls by gathering relevant store, product, and market data to create effective selling presentations for key decision makers.
  • Understand all GMI products, categories, and brand priorities.
  • A top 3 producer in the nation out of 475 and current leader on team in specific incentive program.
  • Grown company sales nearly 31% from last year at all stores in specific territory.
  • Have gained 25% more incremental displays from last year in all stores.
  • Successfully execute NRO retail priorities through results driven coverage.
  • Responsible for three merchandisers and planning their days.
  • Communicate current market insights from the store level to management.

Light Industrial Account Manager

Aerotek
02.2019 - 10.2020
  • Was responsible for developing business and territory strategies to capture new market share and manage current clientele that consisted of maintenance technicians, machine operators, welders, and other warehouse roles.
  • Maximized profitability by effectively negotiating bill rates and terms; ensure that direct labor rates are in line with market standards.
  • Ian Gearhart - page 1 of 2 Built and maintain relationships within accounts by providing quality contractors, proactively market resumes of ideal candidates.
  • Managed and develop business partnership with recruiter(s) by reinforcing recruiting fundamentals, requiring accountability, and providing consistent feedback.
  • Managed 22 accounts and manage over 55 contractors working within those accounts.
  • Responsible for 52% growth from previous employee in territory.
  • Consistently maintained a level of business of $8,000 and above to achieve quarterly bonuses.
  • Was highest producer out of 7 of the new hiring class of new salespeople.

Scientific Recruiter

Aerotek
01.2018 - 02.2019
  • Placed a variety of candidates in all scientific/engineering type positions (QC/QA Lab Techs, Chemical Operators, PhD. Level Chemists, Mechanical Engineers, Chemical Engineers).
  • Sourced, screen, and interview candidates based on established client expectations.
  • Managed anywhere from 20 45 contractors on book of business.
  • Recruited qualified candidates to openings to ensure client expectations are met.
  • Addressed any onboarding and compliance issue with candidates.
  • Serviced contractors and clients throughout length of contract and direct employment.
  • Advised and direct the development of other recruiters.
  • Represented the organization at college/job fairs to promote the organization to potential candidates and build relationships with schools and certifying agencies.
  • Built relationships with hiring managers, establishing new business and clientele.
  • Consistently maintained a level of business of $7,000 and above.
  • Was highest producer out of 12 in the technical recruiting division prior to getting promoted.

Education

High School Diploma -

Bishop Fenwick High School

Bachelor - Finance/Economics

Georgetown College
05.2017

Skills

  • Sales data analysis
  • Effective communication
  • Cultivating strategic partnerships
  • Skilled in Microsoft Office tools
  • Strategic account oversight
  • Nielsen data analysis
  • Consumer packaged goods expertise
  • Point of sale operation
  • Data-driven decision making
  • Key account management

Accomplishments

Customer of the Year Reward-Hy-Vee/AWG

#1 Retail Sales Representative in Region

Timeline

Key Account Manager-Spirits Division

Keg 1 River City
06.2025 - Current

Customer Account Lead

General Mills
05.2023 - 06.2025

Account Management Representative

General Mills
04.2022 - 05.2023

Retail Sales Representative

General Mills
12.2020 - 04.2022

Light Industrial Account Manager

Aerotek
02.2019 - 10.2020

Scientific Recruiter

Aerotek
01.2018 - 02.2019

High School Diploma -

Bishop Fenwick High School

Bachelor - Finance/Economics

Georgetown College

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