Patty Dicarlo
Phoenix,AZ
Summary
- Experienced Professional with 30 years in the Specialty Food Business
- Expert knowledge of all aspects of the Food Business from Broker, Retailer, Manufacturer, Importer, Distribution and Sales
- Passion for Specialty Food
- Vision for excellence
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
Category Manager Prepared Foods
Sprouts Farmers Market Inc.
Phoenix, AZ
05.2022 - Current
- Category Manager of Prepared Meals Categories which include: Individual Meals, Proteins and Fresh Sides, Family Meals, Fresh Green Salads, Service Case, Cupped Salads, Sandwiches, CPG, Pizza and Pasta.
- Responsible for 35% of Deli Category Mix.
- Developed and executed a long term 3-5 year strategy to increase our footprint in the convenience meal category.
- Execution of rolling out 156 new meal cases in 2023 with new assortment of 15 meal launches
- Worked cross functionally to excecute the Deli Meals program
- Researched, prepared for and led supplier negotiation process for managed categories
- Received the Game Changer award for execution of an updated Sandwich Made to Order program
Category Manager Specialty Cheese
Sprouts Farmers Market Inc.
Phoenix, AZ
04.2019 - 01.2023
- Responsible for delivering gross sales and margin targets for these Categories: Specialty Cheese, Crackers and Snacks, Olives, Condiments, Hummus, Dips and Salsa, Pickles and Kraut and Catering
- Achieved 101% of bugeted gross sales
- Chosen as High Potential Candidate
- Continuous development with Vendors, Broker and Distributor network to drive innovation and first to market items
- Directed merchandising strategies for maximum sales through schematics tools, marketing and promotional vehicles to drive sales
- Procured all items for categories and executed category reviews on quarterly basis
Account Manager
Gourmet Foods International
Atlanta, GA
03.2018 - 03.2019
- Account manager for Safeway Portland, Albertson's Intermountain West Division, and Albertson's Corporate flagship stores Market Street Boise, ID
- Responsible for executing new item strategy, item maintenance and category management of cheese selection with Division managers
- Led team of four merchandisers to execute and maintain product . assortment at store level
- Opened two new Albertson's flagship stores - Market Street stores. Procured selection, planogramed cheese shop, trained entire cheese team, and executed state of the art specialty cheese and charcuterie concept
National Sales Manager
Olympia Provisions
Portland, OR
02.2016 - 03.2018
- Created a strategic plan to acquire new business and defined the structure of sales team to create success of maintaining current customers while acquiring new business
- Led a team of two salespeople and created a Brand Ambassador program for the New York and Minneapolis markets
- Acquired new business with a launch at Lund's & Byerly's in Minneapolis with 12 items in January 2017. Achieved $1.5 mil in sales
- Oversaw new product launches of 12 items in 2016 by creating sales strategies, marketing and communication to new customers
- Led Project management of National Whole Foods 2017 Oktoberfest promotion
- Coordinated with marketing to ensure the Olympia Provisions brand strategy supports customers
- Proactively identified on a regular basis assessment of competitors and marketplace obstacles through SWOT analysis
- Provided on going feedback to production team on sales forecasts to execute flawless programs
Regional Manager
Atalanta Corporation
Elizabeth, NJ
08.2012 - 01.2016
- Responsible for presenting new Cheese and Specialty grocery items to category managers at Retail and Distributor level
- Co-ordinated and executed marketing budgets provided by Manufactures
- Accounts called on: Wegman's, Publix, Hannaford, AJ's ,Ahold, Lund's and Byerly's, Schnuck's, Lipari, US Foods Minnesota, Epicurean
- Responsible for National Broker Network for Kroger account
- Provided training and support to cheese departments and sales teams
- Executed Taste of Italy promotion with Lund's and Byerly's with multiple Italian Suppliers and delivered a great customer experience with promotion and sampling event
- Sales growth achieved in all underperforming accounts
- Received the Sales Excellence Award at the end of my first year
Market District Merchandising Manager-Cheese, Charcuterie, Deli
Giant Eagle
Pittsburgh, PA
05.2009 - 07.2012
- Coordinated new category selections and continuously managed items for Cheese, Deli and Charcuterie
- Created a world class Cheese, Deli and Charcuterie Department as an innovation center to roll out programs to Giant Eagle
- Designed department layouts for two store locations that were ground up as well as remodels in 3 other locations
- Acted as a business partner to Team Leaders and Store Directors by providing direction and support
- Managed and created content of feature items in the monthly newsletter
- Performed weekly and yearly budgeting for business forecasting margins, gross profit and sales for all Market District Stores
- Created marketing collateral for all departments telling the story of new item features and visits to charcuterie and cheese factories
Category Manager Gourmet and Specialty Cheese
Giant Eagle
09.2006 - 08.2009
- Manage the buying and merchandising function for Deli, Cheese, Charcuterie and Kosher Departments
- Established retail pricing to meet gross profit margin guidelines
- Maintained cheese category variety to achieve maximum sales for all Giant Eagle corporate supermarket store locations as well as Market District
- Developed Ad plans and promotions on a weekly basis
- Identified new suppliers and interacted with vendors to develop sales plans, events, programs and promotions to support the business plan
- Led a team of 9 Deli/Cheese Specialists, eight vendor support merchandisers and two buyers to execute merchandising objectives
- Oversaw construction plans of new and remodel cheese shops
- Facilitated cheese training classes for Cheesemonger Certifications
- Coordinated and implemented marketing and advertising campaigns to promote specialty cheese
VP Sales and Marketing
Unique Marketers
10.1991 - 08.2006
- Called on Deli and Specialty category managers at Acme, Heinen's and Tops on weekly basis
- Managed Distributor accounts - Sherwood Foods, Leo Dick & Sons
- Managed 3 retail merchandisers and provided store support and training
- Account manager for 20 retail manufacture lines - Norseland, Bongrain, Swissrose, Advantage, Anco, Kaukauna, Tholstrup, Garden Fresh
- Grand Opening specialist for Tops, Rini Rego and Acme stores
Education
Bachelor of Science - Marketing
Akron University
Akron, OH1990
Skills
- Critical Thinking Skills
- Develops and Executes programs
- Excellent Communication Skills
- Project Management Skills
- Budgeting skills
- Vendor Relations
- Process Development
- Merchandising Understanding
- Trend Knowledge
Timeline
Category Manager Prepared Foods
Sprouts Farmers Market Inc.
05.2022 - Current
Category Manager Specialty Cheese
Sprouts Farmers Market Inc.
04.2019 - 01.2023
Account Manager
Gourmet Foods International
03.2018 - 03.2019
National Sales Manager
Olympia Provisions
02.2016 - 03.2018
Regional Manager
Atalanta Corporation
08.2012 - 01.2016
Market District Merchandising Manager-Cheese, Charcuterie, Deli
Giant Eagle
05.2009 - 07.2012
Category Manager Gourmet and Specialty Cheese
Giant Eagle
09.2006 - 08.2009
VP Sales and Marketing
Unique Marketers
10.1991 - 08.2006
Bachelor of Science - Marketing
Akron University