Matt Nielsen

Dynamic retail operations leader with a proven track record in the CPG industry, excelling in management and team development. Expert in sales execution and route optimization, driving a 9% volume increase. Adept at fostering distributor networks and implementing innovative strategies to enhance market presence and profitability.

PMBOK Project Communications Management Certification, 10/2009

• Pepperidge Farm's National Merit Award, 10/2004, Pepperidge Farm annually recognizes individual contributors for extraordinary business results: delivered double-digit sales growth, drastically reduced operational costs, increased market share and transformed our independent distributor network - successfully indoctrinated three new distributors.
• Pepperidge Farm's National Merit Award, 10/2007, Pepperidge Farm annually recognizes individual contributors for extraordinary business results: delivered double-digit sales growth, drastically reduced operational costs, increased market share and transformed our independent distributor network - successfully indoctrinated five new distributors.
• Pepperidge Farm's National Merit Award, 10/2011, Pepperidge Farm annually recognizes individual contributors for extraordinary business results: delivered double-digit sales growth, drastically reduced operational costs, increased market share, executed nationally recognized community service event and transformed our independent distributor network - successfully indoctrinated four new distributors.
• Pepperidge Farm's West Region District Sales Manager of the Year, 10/2005, Pepperidge Farm's West Region Leadership Team annually recognizes individual contributors for uncommon performance: delivered double-digit sales growth, increased market share, and transformed our independent distributor network - successfully indoctrinated two new distributors.
• Pepsi Bottling Group Role Model Award, 01/2001, Market Unit General Manager's annually recognized individual contributors for outstanding team leadership and effective mentoring.

• Kyle Jordan, Vice President, Partner Brand Strategy & Customer Service, (917) 854 - 1711, Campbell Snacks, It's my absolute pleasure to recommend Matthew Nielsen for a sales management position within your organization. Matthew and I worked closely at Pepperidge Farm for more than a dozen years. Matthew was a direct report of mine for a portion of those years as well. I thoroughly enjoyed my time working with and leading with him. His attitude, capability and desire to do whatever was needed to win is, in my eyes his greatest and most valuable asset. His dependability, strategic and innovative solution focused thinking made achieving annual operating goals much easier. I thoroughly enjoyed watching him develop his direct reports as well. Matt's knowledge of building sales teams that are key performance indicator driven will be a huge advantage in any industry. It didn't hurt that Matt is a easy to work with. He takes direction well, manages up like no other and is, as I mentioned before, a true team player. I confidently recommend him to join your team. As a dedicated and knowledgeable employee and an all-around great person, I know that Matt will be a beneficial addition to your organization. Please feel free to contact me at on my cell, or on LinkedIn should you like to discuss Matt's qualifications and experience further. I'd be happy to expand on my recommendation.
• John Lucas, Retail Vice President – Campbells Snacks Pacific Region, (714) 337-7515, I had the pleasure of working with Matthew over the past 19 years at Pepperidge Farm and PepsiCo in Southern California. At PepsiCo Matthew reported to me as a Territory Sales Manager where he managed the Full-Service Vending Department. I was highly impressed by Matthew's strong leadership, thorough follow through and ability to get results early on. During that time frame (2000 - 2002) Matthew also won numerous awards for being an outstanding manager for PepsiCo. Matthew then worked for me at Pepperidge Farm for several years where he was one of the best overall performing District Managers in the country. Matt led the country on several KPI measures and was instrumental in leading the West Region in overall route growth. He also developed some of the strongest performing managers under his leadership while in that role before being promoted to Senior Manager - Market Development. Matt is a highly motivated leader with an extremely hard work ethic. He understands DSD and CPG at a high level, while his track record and high achievements are testimony to that. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have questions in reference to Matthew's accomplishments.
• Matthew Ayres, Senior VP, General Counsel @ Bolthouse Farms | Corporate Law, During our time together at Pepperidge Farm, Matt was an integral part of ensuring that the organization was compliant with internal policies and procedures with respect to the Company's distribution operations. Matt was extraordinarily proactive and responsive in addressing concerns, questions, or tasks flowing either to or from the Company's legal department. I found him to be an excellent partner and valued resource who would take the time to explain not only the immediate issue at hand, but the broader context and background. His intellectual curiosity and desire to drive efficiencies were very much appreciated by me and my department.