Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

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.
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.
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
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
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
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
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, OH
1990

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
Patty Dicarlo