Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Training
Timeline
Generic

MIKE SHIPLEY JR.

Rochester

Summary

Experienced professional leader with a proven track record in brand development, category management, distribution, purchasing, inventory management, and supply chain management. Seeks to expand knowledge and skills to enhance job performance and drive growth. Committed to making valuable contributions to organizational success and consistently striving for excellence in all endeavors.

Overview

15
15
years of professional experience

Work History

VP of Retail

Basemakers
10.2023 - 02.2025
  • Successfully launched Basemakers new brokerage division by conducting comprehensive market research to identify key natural and conventional grocery retailers to specialize in.
  • Cultivated strong relationships with key stakeholders, including customers, vendors, and community leaders to promote collaboration and long-term success for Basemakers and our brand partners.
  • Led cross-functional teams for the successful completion of major projects, resulting in increased efficiency, client satisfaction, and drove a significant increase in revenue by expanding brand placements and optimizing promotional strategies.
  • Collaborated with senior management to develop strategic initiatives and long term goals for Basemakers retail merchandising and brokerage divisions.
  • Established a culture of continuous improvement, fostering innovation and driving sustainable growth across the organization.
  • Identified opportunities to improve business process flows and productivity across all 3 divisions of Basemakers that I oversaw: brokerage, retail merchandising, and brand partner management teams.
  • Worked cross-functionally to implement advanced data analytics tools to drive data-driven decision-making across all levels of the organization, leading to better business outcomes.


Sr. Director, Sales (East) Albertsons/Safeway

C.A. Fortune
07.2021 - 09.2023
  • Directed design and execution of the C.A. Fortune Albertsons National team to call on Albertsons and their divisions to drive performance.
  • Cultivated a culture of innovation by promoting creative thinking and encouraging direct reports to take calculated risks in pursuit of solutions.
  • Developed strong relationships with key industry brand partners, the Albertsons NCDs and ACMs, and Albertsons divisional category managers to foster collaboration and mutual growth opportunities.
  • Achieved departmental goals by developing and implementing strategic plans and initiatives.
  • Established data-driven decision-making processes and implemented best practices in analytics to optimize performance with our key account managers across all the Albertsons divisions we called on.
  • Reduced employee turnover rates by creating a positive work environment with clear expectations and support systems in place.

Account Executive

Focus Sales & Marketing
01.2019 - 06.2021
  • Managed multiple grocery retail accounts simultaneously while maintaining organization and prioritizing tasks efficiently.
  • Exceeded sales targets consistently by identifying new business opportunities and creating customized solutions for each of our brand partners.
  • Established long-lasting relationships with key decision-makers within client organizations, solidifying the company''s reputation as a trusted partner.
  • Maintained up-to-date knowledge on product offerings, ensuring accurate representation during sales pitches or negotiations with clients.
  • Negotiated contracts successfully, securing favorable terms for both the company and clients.
  • Delivered informative presentations to potential clients, showcasing the unique value of products or services offered.
  • Developed detailed reports analyzing account performance data, providing valuable insights for future strategy adjustments or improvements.
  • Developed a solid pipeline of prospects through diligent research and targeted outreach efforts, and converted prospects to clients we represented as their brokerage sales agency.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop comprehensive marketing strategies, resulting in increased brand awareness and revenue growth.

Account Manager – Jewel – Osco Grocery Account

KeHE Distributors
09.2018 - 12.2018
  • Managed a diverse portfolio of brands, ensuring timely communication and effective problem resolution.
  • Collaborated with Jewel Category Management team team to identify potential upsell opportunities for our KeHE items and expand client base within Jewel grocery stores.
  • Negotiated contract terms with clients, securing favorable agreements for both parties.
  • Established clear communication channels between brand partners and the internal teams at KeHE and Jewel, ensuring seamless execution.
  • Actively attending food show and table top events within the industry, expanding professional connections and generating leads.
  • Provided comprehensive reporting on account performance, enabling clients to make data-driven decisions about future investments.
  • Streamlined internal processes for better efficiency in account management tasks.
  • Developed customized account plans for clients to help them achieve their business goals.

Account Analyst – Jewel – Osco Grocery Account

KeHE Distributors
12.2014 - 09.2018
  • Supported the Director, and Account Manager with incoming inquiries from existing clients.
  • Identified potential risks within current or new brand partners, mitigating potential losses through proactive measures.
  • Developed strong relationships with brand partners, brokers, and Jewel Category Managers and admins through excellent customer service skills and consistent follow-up on inquiries or concerns.
  • Collaborated with Jewel Category Management team team to identify potential upsell opportunities for our KeHE items and expand client base within Jewel grocery stores.
  • Streamlined internal processes for better efficiency in tracking promotional funding and new item placement fees for all the brand partners.
  • Analyze POS data to track the performance of KeHE brands in each Jewel set to assure and guarantee we keep our shelf placement in the category for our brand partners and relay the sales data to the brand partners and set up calls to strategize a plan to implement with them at Jewel.

Category Manager / Pharmacy Systems Specialist

Sears Holdings Corporation
05.2012 - 12.2014
  • Managed a diverse portfolio of products, ensuring optimal mix between high-margin items and cost-effective options for customers.
  • Reduced inventory costs through effective vendor negotiations and optimizing product assortments.
  • Monitored industry trends to identify new business opportunities and emerging product categories for expansion.
  • Mentored junior team members in category management best practices, contributing to a high-performing and collaborative work environment.
  • Fostered positive work atmosphere by acting and communicating collaboratively with customers.
  • Enhanced supplier relationships through regular communication and collaborative problem-solving efforts.
  • Analyzed sales performance and adjusted marketing strategies to optimize revenue generation.
  • Led cross-functional project teams in the launch of new product lines, resulting in successful category expansion efforts.
  • Increased overall category sales by developing and executing strategic merchandising plans.

Assistant Category Manager, Brand & Generic Drugs, Pseudoephedrine and Diabetic Planograms

Sears Holdings Corporation
10.2009 - 05.2012
  • Provided regular reports and insights to senior management, effectively communicating category performance and recommending future course of action.
  • Identified underperforming products and implemented strategies to improve their performance or transition them out of the assortment.
  • Implemented space allocation changes based on sales data analysis, resulting in improved shelf presence for high-performing products within the category.
  • Managed vendor contracts, ensuring adherence to terms while negotiating advantageous deals for the company.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to plan and execute successful marketing campaigns, Meth Check, PSE monitoring system.
  • Worked closely with store operations teams to address any issues impacting category performance at a local level, tailoring strategies as needed for specific locations or regions.
  • Streamlined inventory management processes for better efficiency and cost savings.
  • Reduced out-of-stock occurrences by maintaining close communication with supply chain partners around lead times and order quantities.
  • Researched, prepared for and led supplier negotiation process for managed category.
  • Assisted in conducting audits of key suppliers and monitored supplier performance.

Education

B.S. - Business Administration

DeVry University
Addison, IL
03-2009

Skills

  • Team leadership
  • Relationship building
  • Decision-making
  • Critical thinking
  • Coaching and mentoring
  • Business development
  • Results-driven
  • Account management

Training

Lean Six Sigma Training, Yellow Belt, Sears Holdings Corporation, 2013

Timeline

VP of Retail

Basemakers
10.2023 - 02.2025

Sr. Director, Sales (East) Albertsons/Safeway

C.A. Fortune
07.2021 - 09.2023

Account Executive

Focus Sales & Marketing
01.2019 - 06.2021

Account Manager – Jewel – Osco Grocery Account

KeHE Distributors
09.2018 - 12.2018

Account Analyst – Jewel – Osco Grocery Account

KeHE Distributors
12.2014 - 09.2018

Category Manager / Pharmacy Systems Specialist

Sears Holdings Corporation
05.2012 - 12.2014

Assistant Category Manager, Brand & Generic Drugs, Pseudoephedrine and Diabetic Planograms

Sears Holdings Corporation
10.2009 - 05.2012

B.S. - Business Administration

DeVry University

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MIKE SHIPLEY JR.