Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Interests
Multiple brand awards
Timeline
Generic

James Russo

Wine & Spirits professional
Las Vegas,NV

Summary

Dynamic Regional Manager with a proven track record at multiple companies, driving market penetration and enhancing brand visibility. Expert in strategic planning and workforce skill enhancement, achieving a 47% growth in domestic portfolio. Adept at fostering collaboration and mentoring teams to exceed performance goals. Very knowledgeable about wines and spirits. Exemplary record selling, promoting and developing brands with consumers.

Overview

33
33
years of professional experience

Work History

Regional Manager

A21 Wine and Spirits/Paradise Brands
03.2021 - Current
  • Led regional sales initiatives, enhancing market penetration across multiple territories.
  • Developed and implemented strategic marketing plans to drive brand awareness and customer engagement.
  • Managed cross-functional teams, fostering collaboration to achieve operational efficiency and performance goals.
  • Analyzed market trends to identify growth opportunities and adjust business strategies accordingly.
  • Conducted regular training sessions for sales teams, improving product knowledge and customer service skills.
  • Cultivated strong relationships with distributors and retailers, enhancing partnership effectiveness and product visibility.

Wine/Spirits Brand Manager

Monsieur Touton Selection
01.2018 - 08.2020
  • Developed and executed brand strategies to enhance market positioning and drive product visibility.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to launch integrated marketing campaigns, ensuring alignment with brand objectives.
  • Coordinated and implemented sales strategies to grow the domestic portfolio in multiple markets by 47%
  • Managed relationships with multiple partners to oversee creative development and maintain brand consistency across channels.

Sales Manager

Jack Poust and Company
11.2014 - 01.2018

* Managed a diverse portfolio that included: Sparkling wine, Still wine, Prosecco, Port, Sherries and fortified wines. Developed a sales plan in 2016 that grew depletions by 10% in the New York market.

* Responsible for training a large group of distributor sales people (Breakthrough Beverage) on our products to drive volume and distribution goals.

  • Fostered relationships with key clients, resulting in increased customer retention and satisfaction.

Northeast Regional Manager

Francis Ford Coppola/Rubicon Winery
06.2006 - 01.2014
  • Led regional sales strategy to enhance market penetration across Northeast territory. Grew depletions by 5-14% annually.
  • Mentored junior staff, promoting professional development and operational excellence within the team.
  • Effectively Managed a team of 5 Area managers in a cohesive selling/Management style that fostered a collaborative environment for all members.
  • Distributors included: Southern Wines & Spirits, Allied Distributors, Eder Bros, Slocum, CDI, etc...

Northeast Regional Manager

Robert Mondavi Corporation
01.2004 - 04.2006

* Managed a vast portfolio of wines in the portfolio including: Robert Mondavi Winery, Woodbridge, Frescobaldi, Sena, Ornellaia, etc...

* Led regional sales strategy to enhance market penetration across Northeast territory.Growing business by 5% annually.

* Managed a team of 8 area managers throughout the Northeast region. Working with over 9 different wholesalers.

* Responsible for effecting and managing a sales/training budget of over $2 million dollars

National Accounts Manager

Brown Forman Corporation
05.1992 - 07.2003
  • Developed strategic relationships with national accounts to enhance customer loyalty and retention.
  • Represented a vast portfolio including: Jack Daniel's, Woodford Reserve, Finlandia Vodka, Korbel Champagne, Southern Comfort, Fetzer Vineyards, etc...
  • Implemented training programs for sales staff to improve product knowledge and selling techniques.
  • Won 2 major sales awards for my work with Ruby Tuesday's and CA One airport concessionaires. Southern Comfort and Fetzer vineyards.

Education

Advertising/Sales Management

State University of New York
NY
06-1984

Skills

  • Workforce skill enhancement
  • Strategic planning
  • Staff management

Interests

  • Enjoy participating in physical exercise for overall physical and mental well-being
  • Cooking Utilizing and pairing of Food & Wine
  • Food & Wine Tourism and learning France, Italy and California emphasis

Multiple brand awards

Fetzer Vineyards Market Manager of the year award

Southern Comfort Brand award

Robert Mondavi High Achiever award

Timeline

Regional Manager

A21 Wine and Spirits/Paradise Brands
03.2021 - Current

Wine/Spirits Brand Manager

Monsieur Touton Selection
01.2018 - 08.2020

Sales Manager

Jack Poust and Company
11.2014 - 01.2018

Northeast Regional Manager

Francis Ford Coppola/Rubicon Winery
06.2006 - 01.2014

Northeast Regional Manager

Robert Mondavi Corporation
01.2004 - 04.2006

National Accounts Manager

Brown Forman Corporation
05.1992 - 07.2003

Advertising/Sales Management

State University of New York
James RussoWine & Spirits professional