John Blizzard
Byron Center,MI
Summary
Skilled Business Development leader offering 20 plus years of experience in the Food Service Industry. Bringing expertise in client acquisition and contract negotiation, along with excellent interpersonal communication, relationship-building and team leadership abilities. Results-driven and proactive with demonstrated record of accomplishment in meeting and exceeding sales and revenue objectives.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Business Development-National Accounts
Great Lakes West
01.2023 - 12.2023
- Sales / Consulting / Management
- Negotiated, prepared, and signed contracts with clients.
- Identified and pursued valuable business opportunities to generate new company revenue and improve bottom line profit.
- Responsible for obtaining new chain restaurant and hotel accounts.
- Designing the commercial kitchens for these accounts, and project managing those accounts through final installation of the commercial kitchen equipment.
- Managed staff to accomplish these goals.
Central Regional Sales Manager
Marra Forni
09.2020 - 01.2023
- Sales / Consulting / Management
- Achieved regional sales objectives by coordinating sales team, developing successful strategies, and servicing accounts to strengthen business relationships.
- Developed and maintained positive relationships with clients in assigned sales territories.
- Contacted key accounts regularly and achieved high satisfaction scores by routinely re-assessing needs and resolving conflicts.
- Participated in sales calls with direct reports to strengthen customer relationships and uncover possible opportunities for growth.
- Executed successful promotional events and trade shows.
Key Accounts Manager
Acosta Sales & Marketing
01.2015 - 08.2020
- Sales / Consulting
- Built and maintained strong client relationships to drive business growth.
- Analyzed key competitors to respond to competitive threats.
- Negotiated and maintained cost-effective contract pricing structures with vendors to produce positive return on investment.
- Created sales forecasts to target daily, monthly and yearly objectives.
- Supported sales and reporting for large and medium-sized accounts.
- Secured high-value accounts through consultative selling, effective customer solutions, and promoting compelling business opportunities.
Customer Energy Specialist
Consumers Energy
01.2005 - 01.2015
- Drafting / Design Work / Sales
- Participated in continuous training opportunities to hone craft and build leadership skills.
- Contributed to client interaction via email and conference calls.
- Demonstrated creative and efficient use of software tools, analytical methods and computer models to develop solutions.
- Collected and organized data, built financial and economic models and developed data visualizations to perform installation or removal of electrical services.
- Consulted with customers related to end-use electrical applications.
- Developed CAD drawings from hand sketches, verbal instructions, and site visits.
- Used computer-aided design software to prepare schematics.
Sales Consultant
Stafford Smith, Inc.
01.2002 - 01.2005
- Sales / Consulting
- Responsible for obtaining new chain restaurant and hotel accounts
- Designing the commercial kitchens for these accounts.
- Project managing those accounts through final installation of the commercial kitchen equipment.
- Used consultative sales techniques to understand customer needs and recommend relevant products and services.
- Provided sales and customer service assistance.
- Responded to telephone and in-person requests for information.
- Followed up with existing customers to provide additional support and address concerns.
- Managed staff to accomplish these goals.
Associate Director - Hotel Division
Concept Services, Inc.
01.1999 - 01.2002
- Sales / Consulting
- Used consultative sales techniques to understand customer needs and recommend relevant products and services.
- Provided sales and customer service assistance to national chains.
- Responded to telephone and in-person requests for information.
- Followed up with existing customers to provide additional support and address concerns.
- Evaluated customer purchase requirements and recommended best-fit company offerings.
- Increased sales by fostering relationships with customers, implementing business strategies and suggesting areas for improvement.
- Maximized customer retention by resolving issues quickly.
- Managed staff to accomplish these goals.
Sales Engineer
The Delfield Company
01.1996 - 01.1999
- Prepared cost estimates and bid documents by studying customer RFPs and consulting with project managers.
- Gained customer acceptance by demonstrating cost reductions and operations improvements.
- Reviewed customer inquiries to understand project scope while managing internal delivery mechanisms.
- Developed CAD drawings from hand sketches, verbal instructions, and site visits.
- Calculated dimensions and allowances with accurate precision for project specifications.
- Attended trade shows and seminars to promote products and network with industry contacts.
Sales Engineer & Draftsman
Randell Manufacturing, Inc.
01.1994 - 01.1996
- Prepared cost estimates and bid documents by studying customer RFPs and consulting with project managers.
- Gained customer acceptance by demonstrating cost reductions and operations improvements.
- Reviewed customer inquiries to understand project scope while managing internal delivery mechanisms.
- Developed CAD drawings from hand sketches, verbal instructions, and site visits.
- Calculated dimensions and allowances with accurate precision for project specifications.
- Attended trade shows and seminars to promote products and network with industry contacts.
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Drafting And Design Technology
Baker College of Owosso
1020 S Washington St, Owosso, MI 4886705.1992
Skills
- Channel Development
- Sales Training and Leadership
- Vendor Management
- Lead Generation
- Networking
- Project Management
- Contract Management
- Relationship Building
- Proposal Writing
- Key Account Management
- Industry Networking
- Customer Engagement
Certification
- Building Trades Certification
- Phone Etiquette Certification
- ServSafe Certified
Interests & Hobbies
I love to go camping, but most of all with my family. I enjoy building and painting models, and have so since I was a young boy. When I have the time I enjoy a good Fiction book. My favorite sports teams are the Detroit Redwings, The University of Michigan Football Team, and I absolutely love Formula One Racing.
Timeline
Director of Business Development-National Accounts
Great Lakes West
01.2023 - 12.2023
Central Regional Sales Manager
Marra Forni
09.2020 - 01.2023
Key Accounts Manager
Acosta Sales & Marketing
01.2015 - 08.2020
Customer Energy Specialist
Consumers Energy
01.2005 - 01.2015
Sales Consultant
Stafford Smith, Inc.
01.2002 - 01.2005
Associate Director - Hotel Division
Concept Services, Inc.
01.1999 - 01.2002
Sales Engineer
The Delfield Company
01.1996 - 01.1999
Sales Engineer & Draftsman
Randell Manufacturing, Inc.
01.1994 - 01.1996
Associate of Applied Science - Drafting And Design Technology
Baker College of Owosso
- Building Trades Certification
- Phone Etiquette Certification
- ServSafe Certified
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