Justin Blanchard
Bradley Beach,NJ
Summary
Self-motivated beer and spirits sales professional with demonstrated success in retail, wholesale and supplier experience. Proven ability to assess consumer needs in order to acquire and retain sales. Capable of leveraging knowledge in the New Jersey, Maryland and Virginia marketplaces to consistently meet and exceed sales objectives as well as challenging goals. Demonstrated strengths include powerful motivational skills; able to cultivate potential in cross-functional teams to achieve results.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Division Manager
Hercules Mulligan Company
07.2021 - 10.2023
- Managed day to day operations with multiple wholesalers across New Jersey, Maryland, Tennessee and Virginia.
- Part of a 4 person sales team which launched 43 markets in 1 year.
- Diplomatically managed wholesaler transitions for underperforming markets securing new partnerships.
- Organized weekly samplings, promotions and events driving brand visibility.
- Supervised daily planning, coordination and administration for division operations.
- Controlled costs by streamlining operations and reducing waste.
- Conceptualized cost affective marketing and branding strategies for in market sales.
- Worked hand in hand with wholesalers to create successful incentive based sales programs.
- Engaged in product training, demonstrations, consumer awareness, branding, and acquisition initiatives to raise awareness and revenues.
- Extensive work with in market with wholesaler partners.
- Successfully implemented programs with chain accounts both local and national (Total Wine, Costco, ect.).
- Facilitated business by implementing practical networking techniques.
- Compiled and analyzed data to determine approaches to improve sales and performance.
- Contributed to brand development for new product launches and sales support once conceptualized.
- Established clear and consistent policies and best practices that which were implemented as procedures.
Market Development Representative
Sazerac Company
01.2021 - 07.2021
- Managed portfolio of 150 brands encompassing all liquor categories to maximize opportunities in 40 off premise locations across central New Jersey.
- Consistently maintained 15% growth in account base with standing history of Sazerac success.
- Completed daily visits and outbound calls to clients, up to 15 hours per day.
- Proven aptitude for multitasking and accomplishing goals in the constantly changing 2020-2022 marketplace.
- Built lasting business relationships through performance and credibility. Develop positive rapport with people at all levels of responsibility in both retail and wholesaler networks.
- Excellent verbal and interpersonal skills. Work well as individual producer or team member in the achievement of sales objectives. Highly proficient in acquiring new and growing existing business.
- Successfully launched over 15 brands statewide and maintained brand presence in marketplace.
- Regularly achieved placements for several of the largest displays in the nation to promote and build priority brands.
- Consistently acknowledged by management nationally due to standards of practice in the market.
- Recipients of several sales awards based on ability to achieve display activity, new points of distribution and depletion goals.
- Strong ability to navigate difficult conversations and problem solve client issues to a mutually beneficial resolution.
Sales Brand Ambassador
Sazerac Company Inc.
09.2019 - 01.2021
- Created and managed route of 50 on premise accounts through northern New Jersey to maximize brand presence and opportunity for Buffalo Trace Bourbon portfolio and Wheatley vodka.
- Completed daily visits and outbound calls to clients per client needs.
- Consistently achieved sales goals and performance expectations.
- Maintained knowledge of current trends and information relevant to the New Jersey market.
- Regularly hosted brand building events, which included lecturing and discussion.
- Daily responsibilities included menu placements, well and back bar positioning, staff training and organizing promotions.
- Understanding of New Jersey market's highly influential accounts with both considerable visibility and unique creative expression to create brand building opportunities.
- Utilized my on premise business to gain placements and displays off premise in close proximity to each location pouring Sazerac brands.
- Successfully navigated local restaurant social networks to create relationships with establishments to build a professional community and Sazerac priority.
Off Centered Sales Representative
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery & Distillery
08.2016 - 09.2019
- Met distribution objectives for 2017 and 2018. With territory averaging over $5,000,000 annually while covering 2 New Jersey territories.
- Personal territory sales experienced growth of 7.3% through June 2019, exceeded $1.7 million in revenue.
- Successfully developed sales plans, pricing strategies and solution oriented proposals for Dogfish Head's top performing wholesaler to drive business growth throughout the New Jersey market.
- Utilized VIP software daily in order to track pipeline activity and analyze internal sales trends to identify market opportunity.
- Developed sales strategies for 1,193 existing accounts, while identifying new business prospects that are a good fit for Dogfish Head.
- Manage prospective leads and existing accounts through the VIP platform to accurately forecast revenue and develop long-term business partnerships.
- One of 5 representatives chosen nation-wide for a "Sales Specialist" position responsible for educating wholesalers about Dogfish Head products, culture, and revenue opportunities.
- Successfully launched Dogfish Head Craft Distilling in NJ effectively selling in $140,000 worth of product in 4 months.
- Built lasting business relationships through performance and credibility. Develop positive rapport with people at all levels of responsibility in both retail and wholesaler networks.
- Excellent verbal and interpersonal skills. Work well as individual producer or team member in the achievement of sales objectives. High aptitude for acquiring new and growing existing business.
- Execution of aggressive marketing campaigns to acquire market share within dedicated sales territory.
- Visited customers daily to assist in the navigation of Dogfish Head brands to create profitable product choices.
- Diffused difficult situations with customers in a highly competitive marketplace.
- Hosted events and sampling events unique to the hosting venue in order to build brand excitement and loyalty.
- Highly focused; able to consistently achieve sales objectives through effective account management and commitment to customer satisfaction.
- Successfully managed multiple personal and brand budgets.
- Repeatedly selected to train new sales coworkers from various parts of the country in day to day planning, prioritization, and execution.
- Innovated multiple best practices for Dogfish Head sales and communication which became internal standards.
Central New Jersey On And Off Premise Sales
HUNTERDON BREWING COMPANY
02.2013 - 08.2016
- Managed 120 on and off premise accounts that exceeded $2 million in revenue.
- Completed daily visits and outbound calls to clients, up to 15 hours per day.
- Contacted new and existing customers to discuss how their needs could be met through specific products and services.
- Assisted accounts in selecting the correct products specific to client needs to minimize coded product.
- Hosted several brand building events, such as beer dinners and tap take overs with attendance of 60+ which included lecturing and discussion.
- Contributed as recurring guest on radio station WRAT to education listeners on various beer styles, brands, and craft beer culture.
- Prioritized tasks and projects to meet tight deadlines.
- Maintained knowledge of current trends and information relevant to the New Jersey market.
- Independently serviced several corporate venues and accounts with specific requirements and expectations (i.e. PNC Bank Arts Center, Whole Foods Market, Wegmans).
- Achieved sales in central New Jersey market through consistent brand saturation and retention.
Buyer/ Salesperson
Circus Wines, Beer &Spirits
07.2010 - 02.2013
- Managed beer department with annual sales that exceeded $2.5 million.
- Increased overall sales by 15% each year.
- Organized strategic brand building events to expand the then current product portfolio.
- Built relationships with customers and the community to promote long term business growth.
Education
Graphic Design
The College of New Jersey
Ewing, NJAssociate of Arts - Graphic Design
Brookdale Community College
Lincroft, NJ2007
High School Diploma - undefined
Red Bank Regional High School
Red Bank, NJ2004
Skills
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Energetic & driven
- Enthusiastic about networking
- Motivated team player
- Excellent work ethic
- Superior organizational skills
- Positive outlook
- Strategic account development
- Considerable & current industry knowledge
- Proficient persuasive negotiating & closing techniques
- Strong presentation skills
Timeline
Division Manager
Hercules Mulligan Company
07.2021 - 10.2023
Market Development Representative
Sazerac Company
01.2021 - 07.2021
Sales Brand Ambassador
Sazerac Company Inc.
09.2019 - 01.2021
Off Centered Sales Representative
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery & Distillery
08.2016 - 09.2019
Central New Jersey On And Off Premise Sales
HUNTERDON BREWING COMPANY
02.2013 - 08.2016
Buyer/ Salesperson
Circus Wines, Beer &Spirits
07.2010 - 02.2013
Graphic Design
The College of New Jersey
Associate of Arts - Graphic Design
Brookdale Community College
High School Diploma - undefined
Red Bank Regional High School
Similar Profiles
Jon AstonJon Aston
Assembler 2 at Hercules Manufacturing CompanyAssembler 2 at Hercules Manufacturing Company
Denisse KlassDenisse Klass
Site Manager at Mulligan Security CompanySite Manager at Mulligan Security Company
Manpreet KaurManpreet Kaur
Dispatch Coordinator at HERCULES HIGHWAY HORSES , MC-1649449Dispatch Coordinator at HERCULES HIGHWAY HORSES , MC-1649449