Summary
Overview
Work History
Skills
Key Qualifications
Timeline
Generic

Mark Halbert

Erlanger,KY

Summary

Worked in the retail grocery industry, as a retailer, supplier and a broker. Extensive experience managing client businesses at all levels including sales planning, promotional plan development, budgeting, marketing, sales presentations and forecasting.

Overview

32
32
years of professional experience

Work History

Key Account Manager

CA Fortune
01.2021 - Current
  • Provided broker support to multiple suppliers and help them build their Kroger business
  • Helped over suppliers develop trade and marketing strategies for Kroger that drive sales and unit growth YOY while increasing supplier profitability
  • Help create strategic new item presentations utilizing Kroger review requirement in all departments
  • Provide guidance on estimated costs for slotting, allowances and other cost of entry to category at Kroger such as 84.51 marketing participation
  • Work with analytics team to provide relevant, proactive and insightful data that is actionable from a strategic standpoint to suppliers
  • Includes sales, mapping, rest of market and competitive landscapes
  • Include suppliers on potential incremental opportunities at corporate, regional and local levels
  • Provide recommendations to create best case scenarios related to promotions, marketing, division level selling and upsell opportunities.
  • Communicated with customers and vendors positively with particular attention to problem resolution.
  • Increased overall team productivity by fostering a positive work environment and providing effective leadership.
  • Improved operational workflows by identifying areas of inefficiency and implementing appropriate solutions.
  • Negotiated contracts with suppliers and vendors, securing favorable terms for the company while maintaining strong relationships.
  • Streamlined business processes by implementing new project management tools and techniques.
  • Developed strategic partnerships with key stakeholders, leading to significant growth opportunities for the company.
  • Evaluated current market trends and competitor strategies, guiding the development of innovative solutions to stay ahead in the industry.
  • Mentored junior staff members, helping them grow professionally and contribute more effectively to the team's goals.
  • Enhanced customer satisfaction levels by implementing an effective feedback system and addressing concerns promptly and efficiently.
  • Anticipated financial impact from operational issues and worked with leadership to develop solutions.
  • Increased market share by identifying and capitalizing on emerging market trends.
  • Optimized inventory management, reducing waste and ensuring availability of key products.

Business Manager

Harlow HRK/ Impact/ Acosta
01.2017 - Current
  • Provided broker support to multiple suppliers and help them build their Kroger business
  • Helped over 80 suppliers develop trade and marketing strategies for Kroger that drive sales and unit growth YOY while increasing supplier profitability
  • Help create strategic new item presentations utilizing Kroger review requirement in all departments
  • Provide guidance on estimated costs for slotting, allowances and other cost of entry to category at Kroger such as 84.51 marketing participation
  • Work with analytics team to provide relevant, proactive and insightful data that is actionable from a strategic standpoint to suppliers
  • Includes sales, mapping, rest of market and competitive landscapes
  • Include suppliers on potential incremental opportunities at corporate, regional and local levels
  • Provide recommendations to create best case scenarios related to promotions, marketing, division level selling and upsell opportunities.

Produce Sales Planner

Kroger Company
01.1993 - 01.2017
  • Managed Display and Advertising Plans for two Kroger Divisions Produce Departments
  • Developed comprehensive ad and display plan to meet and exceed department sales & profit goals
  • Built long term marketing strategy with flexibility for tactical changes
  • Natural Foods Category Manager –February 2014 to March 2016
  • Natural Foods Cereal
  • Strategies; focused on variety (SKU rationalization & POGS), Right on Price and Digital
  • Managed Kroger’s first Natural Foods Commodity Strategy, working with key CPP partners to develop forward looking strategy regarding set flow, SKU rationalization, promotions
  • Grew the category in YOY sales and gross margin to exceed commodity budget
  • Natural Foods Juice
  • Updated strategy resulting in sales increase over 13% or +$9M
  • Managed several operational projects in the department including Lean Six Sigma projects/ Shrink/ Out of Stocks – Focus on improving store operations
  • Third Party Negotiations for DSD Wholesalers
  • Project manager for cross functional team including perishable departments, logistics, operations and Senior Leadership
  • Reported savings capture of over $18M
  • Partnered with Procurement and Replenishment teams to improve in stock position.

Natural Foods Regional Sales Planner

Kroger Company
01.2012 - 01.2014
  • Responsible for many divisions P&L/ Budgets
  • Midwest & Mountain Region – exceed sales and gross profit dollar budget in every division
  • Showed annual sales growth in these division over 18% Year over Year
  • Ralphs & Fred Meyer Division – Over 25% of total Kroger Natural Foods Business.

Direct Store Delivery (DSD) Operations Manager

Kroger Company
01.2008 - 01.2012
  • Responsible for all DSD product procurement
  • Manager of DSD Center of Excellence (COE) – COE was responsible for all disputed DSD invoice research, deductions, credits, paybacks and major settlements
  • Conducted annual DSD certification for all 2400 Kroger stores
  • DSD Project Manager – Responsible for prioritization and development of IT for DSD.
  • Empowered employees to take ownership of their responsibilities, leading to increased accountability and improved performance outcomes.
  • Conducted regular performance reviews, identifying areas for improvement and developing action plans to address them.
  • Led hiring, onboarding and training of new hires to fulfill business requirements.
  • Developed and maintained relationships with external vendors and suppliers.
  • Enhanced customer satisfaction by establishing clear communication channels and addressing concerns promptly.
  • Analyzed and reported on key performance metrics to senior management.
  • Facilitated smooth collaboration between departments through clear communication channels.
  • Achieved higher employee retention rates by fostering a positive work environment and providing opportunities for professional growth.
  • Spearheaded process improvements, resulting in increased productivity and reduced operational costs.
  • Trained and guided team members to maintain high productivity and performance metrics.
  • Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members.
  • Interacted well with customers to build connections and nurture relationships.

Financial Cost Billing (FCB)/ Perishable Inventory Coordinator

QFC
01.2005 - 01.2008
  • Responsible for inventory results, department sales, profits, shrink and EBITDA
  • Worked with Department VPs & Sr
  • Directors to identify and recommend fixes for data integrity
  • Trained all stores for roll out of FCB for perishable departments
  • Reported Weekly/ Period/ Quarter and Annual Department Gross Profit and Shrink Results.

Fresh Insight Coordinator

QFC
01.2004 - 01.2005
  • Responsible for perishable and center store Shrink Department initiatives and inventories.

DSD Coordinator/ Auditor & Energy Conservation Lead

QFC
01.2001 - 01.2003
  • Helped developed green initiative program
  • First QFC DSD Coordinator on Kroger systems
  • Part of Kroger’s first DSD audit team showing ROI over $4M at QFC during the project.

Skills

  • Microsoft Office Suite, highly skilled in Excel, Word, PowerPoint
  • Mainframe applications
  • Tradepoint/ IBM DemandTec Contract System
  • Salesforce
  • Project Management
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Documentation And Reporting
  • Negotiation
  • Customer Relations
  • Client Relationship Management
  • Sales and Marketing
  • Team Building and Leadership
  • Business Planning

Key Qualifications

  • Experienced operational manager in Retail Grocery Industry
  • Experienced merchandising manager with sales plan and category management experience
  • Experienced negotiator with major suppliers and third-party providers
  • Strong data analytic skills with ability to interpret opportunities and solve problems
  • Results driven high performance Team and project leader
  • Financial operations and merchandising experience including P&L, Sales, Profit and expenses
  • Strong in strategy development with the ability and flexibility to adjust tactically and quickly
  • Customer 1st focus on all operational and merchandising functions

Timeline

Key Account Manager

CA Fortune
01.2021 - Current

Business Manager

Harlow HRK/ Impact/ Acosta
01.2017 - Current

Natural Foods Regional Sales Planner

Kroger Company
01.2012 - 01.2014

Direct Store Delivery (DSD) Operations Manager

Kroger Company
01.2008 - 01.2012

Financial Cost Billing (FCB)/ Perishable Inventory Coordinator

QFC
01.2005 - 01.2008

Fresh Insight Coordinator

QFC
01.2004 - 01.2005

DSD Coordinator/ Auditor & Energy Conservation Lead

QFC
01.2001 - 01.2003

Produce Sales Planner

Kroger Company
01.1993 - 01.2017

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Mark Halbert