MICHELE STONECIPHER

Managed customer accounts to secure customer satisfaction and repeat business.

• Developed and maintained comprehensive understanding of products, services and competitors to enhance sales presentations.
• Developed and implemented sales strategies to increase profits.
• Retained excellent client satisfaction ratings through outstanding service delivery.
• Used customer insights to develop innovative sales strategies to increase sales.
• Met with existing customers and prospects to discuss business needs and recommend optimal solutions.
• Developed and delivered engaging sales presentations to convey product benefits.
• Listened to customer needs and desires to identify and recommend optimal products.

• Managed Southern Glazer's portion of the Sazerac portfolio not limited to overall growth and risk.
• Liaised with sales, marketing and customer service teams to support smooth account management operations.
• Set up new customer accounts and updated existing profiles with latest information.
• Completed routine and complex account updates to resolve problems.
• Created brand awareness through consumer engagements.
• Created signature cocktail programs in the market including The Roman Candle, The Old Julep, and A Christmas Legacy.
• Provided staff trainings on new Sazerac products, techniques, shot & cocktail recipes with existing products.
• Performed Market research to learn what consumers were buying on a daily basis in the Lafayette/Lake Charles territory, and used this research to incorporate market strategies for similar products.
• Networked with various brands and accounts for beer and shot specials to engage consumers.
• Found and executed events with organizations, fundraisers, local groups, local events and bars to create brand awareness and increase product sales both on and off premise.
• Deliver compelling value propositions to increase product placements.
• Obtained pricing deals, negotiated contracts, and solidified beneficial agreements.
• Served customers with knowledgeable, friendly support at every stage of shopping and purchasing.
• Gained customer trust and confidence by demonstrating compelling, persuasive and composed professional demeanor.
• Worked with sales team to collaboratively reach targets, consistently meeting or exceeding personal quotas.
• Fostered lasting relationships with customers through effective communication and quick response, resulting in long-term loyalty and expanded client base.
• Maintained current knowledge of evolving changes in marketplace.
• Met with customers to discuss and ascertain needs, tailor solutions and close deals.
• Negotiated prices, terms of sales and service agreements.
• Attended monthly sales meetings and quarterly sales trainings.
• Contributed to event marketing, sales and brand promotion.
• Collaborated with managers to provide customer feedback and recommend operational changes to meet emerging trends.
• Performed all essential functions to insure market execution on premise
• Worked with local market sales representatives to insure proper training and execution to meet required sales performance standards.
• Supervise 80 top key accounts to insure account execution to distributor and vendor standards.
• Develop strong relationships with all key account General and Department managers to enhance multiple distribution opportunities. Consistently work to build and maintain solid business relationships with accounts.
• Align closely with Sales Representatives, Programmers, Sales Management, and Vendor Partners to drive top priorities and develop focus brands.
• Develop market strategies to educate consumers on focus brands and insured execution of on premise standard of performance.
• Execute, maintain and exceed monthly KPI reports to align with overall vendor and distributor execution.
• Continuously improve personal and professional development through GU, and other educational means as they come along.

• Participating in big promotional events, educating customers and consumers
• Setting up tastings, Handing out samples to customers
• Identifying market trends
• Built professional network to establish and maintain relationships with community contacts, provider, organizations, and others who may refer potential leads.
• Greeted customers warmly and pleasantly answered inquiries.
• Trained new hires.