Jeffrey Bennett
Henderson
Summary
Dynamic Business Development Manager with a proven track record at Native American Enterprises LLC, excelling in sales forecasting and strategic planning. Recognized for driving significant revenue growth and enhancing market visibility through innovative product development and strong client partnerships. Adept at leveraging culinary expertise and negotiation skills to seize new opportunities.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Business Development Manager
Native American Enterprises LLC
Wichita
09.2023 - Current
- Drove business growth across K-12, C&U, Casino, Correctional Facilities, and Healthcare markets.
Developed innovative recipes and products to engage new distributors and clients.
Created effective marketing tools to enhance brand visibility and market reach.
Projected sales and forecasted revenue to align with strategic income goals.
National Sales Manager
ReadyWise
Salt Lake City
03.2022 - 08.2023
- Pioneered account strategy development consistent with sales objectives and company direction.
Created strong client partnerships within healthcare, colleges, and universities sectors.
Oversaw local and state bidding processes for emergency food sales to maximize opportunities.
Successfully launched Simple Kitchen Foodservice brand soups in military and regional accounts.
Regional Sales Manager Military
Nestle Professional-North America
Solon
03.2018 - 10.2020
- Led sales for all military troop feeding, morale, welfare, and recreation (MWR) facilities for the western half of the United States and shared responsibility in Asia.
- Managed all direct customers, distributors, prime vendors, food service brokers, and accounts worth over $30M a year in sales.
- Grew business at Fort Bliss, Texas, by increasing sales in Nescafe, Coffee-Mate, Sunkist, and Chef-Mate to grow sales by $475K a year.
- Won juices, vitamin enhanced waters, and Nescafe Coffee business at Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California worth $300K a year.
- Closed juices, vitamin enhanced waters, and Nescafe Coffee at all military base dining facilities and military hospitals in the State of Alaska worth over $450K.
- Sold juices and vitamin enhanced waters to all U.S. Navy Galley’s in the Pacific Northwest and Southern California, driving sales worth over $1M a year.
- Won Coffee-Mate creamer cups replacing the competition for all Navy Ships in the Pacific Northwest worth $125K in new business.
- Worked with Naval Supply Systems Command Headquarters (NAVSUP) and Natick Dietitian in Massachusetts, to gain 5 new recipes featuring Minor’s concentrates for all Navy Galleys.
Account Manager Military West Region
Unilever Food Solutions
Englewood Cliffs
07.2006 - 03.2018
- Executed account management for Southern Nevada and Utah alongside troop feeding and service facilities in Western US and Asia markets.
Coordinated sales efforts with direct customers, distributors, foodservice brokers, and MWR accounts contributing over $12 million in yearly revenue for Unilever Food Solutions.
Territory Operator Account Manager
Unilever Food Solutions
01.2000 - 07.2006
- Advanced sales through operators and distributors within the food-service segment in Washington, Alaska, and Idaho.
- Launched ice cream product line in the Pacific Northwest, conducted management and product trainings, facilitated equipment program and targeted key operators.
- Recognized as #1 territory manager for Ben & Jerry roll-out, generating $800K in first year.
- Developed marketing programs, promotions, and action plans, exceeding company 10% growth plan each year.
- Received Unilever Food Solutions Presidents Award as top Operator account manager in the country 2001, 2002, 2005, and 2006.
- Awarded Washington State Chefs Association 2002 ACF Presidential Medallion.
- Drove business by relationship selling with large operators, including $1M in new annual volume win at Muckleshoot Casino in Auburn, Washington.
- Secured $500K in annual volume by developing custom marketing programs for large operators including University of Puget Sound, Washington.
- Generated $685K in new soup sales for 2004 through launch of Frozen Knorr Soup line with the US Military through Sysco Seattle.
Education
High School Diploma -
Seaside High School
Certificate - Hospitality Management
Washington State University
Master Certified Food Service Executive -
International Food Service Executives Association (IFSEA)
Certificate - Ice Carving
California Culinary Academy
Certificate - Culinary Management Program
Cornell University
Skills
- Sales forecasting and expense management
- Presentation and negotiation skills
- Culinary expertise
- Strategic planning and solution selling
- Product knowledge
- Market development and customer opportunities
- Microsoft Office Suite proficiency
- SharePoint and Adobe Acrobat proficiency
- CRM systems expertise (Salesforce, Zoho,Siebel, C4C)
- PeopleSoft and DLA Napa experience
Education And Professional Development
- Seaside High School, Diploma
- Washington State University, Hospitality Management Certificate
- Food Safety & Sanitation, International Food Service Executives Association (IFSEA), Master Certified Food Service Executive, IFSEA, Ice Carving, California Culinary Academy, Culinary Management Program, Cornell University, Certificate of Hospitality Management, Washington State University
- Miller Heiman Strategic Selling, Miller Heiman Large Account Management, Mentorship and Coaching, Hemsley Fraser Raising Personal Effectiveness and High Performing Teams
Timeline
Business Development Manager
Native American Enterprises LLC
09.2023 - Current
National Sales Manager
ReadyWise
03.2022 - 08.2023
Regional Sales Manager Military
Nestle Professional-North America
03.2018 - 10.2020
Account Manager Military West Region
Unilever Food Solutions
07.2006 - 03.2018
Territory Operator Account Manager
Unilever Food Solutions
01.2000 - 07.2006
High School Diploma -
Seaside High School
Certificate - Hospitality Management
Washington State University
Master Certified Food Service Executive -
International Food Service Executives Association (IFSEA)
Certificate - Ice Carving
California Culinary Academy
Certificate - Culinary Management Program
Cornell University