Rick Apolskis

• I lead, mentor, motivate, and provide direction to an 8-person team (3 national account managers, 2 category managers, 1 sales analyst, 1 replenishment manager, and 1 administrative assistant) responsible for delivering over $200 million in 'OMNI' sales across Philips' three key businesses, Norelco (Electric Shave & Groom Category), Sonicare (Power Oral Care Category), and Avent (Infant Feeding Category) in over 4,000 Walmart stores and on Walmart.com.
• My team is on track to deliver 107% of sell-in quota and greater than 10% sell-out (POS) comp growth across all three key businesses in 2025.
• I establish ambitious employee goals to promote the achievement of business targets, role-model key behaviors, and deliver above customer expectations.
• I led my team in transforming customer relationships from near-sighted, arms-length, transactional interactions to long-term, formal JBPs (Joint Business Partnerships).

• Developed strategic account plans to enhance customer engagement and satisfaction in the Electric Shave Groom category.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to align product offerings with Walmart needs and expectations.
• Managed Walmart relationship, ensuring timely communication and support.
• Analyzed market trends to identify growth opportunities for Walmart.
• Led negotiations for contract renewals, securing favorable terms for the company.
• Coordinated promotional campaigns tailored to specific category segments and shopper preferences.
• Researched industry trends, competitor activities, and other relevant information necessary for effective decision making.
• Was the first brand to successfully introduce, execute, and expand electric shave and groom technology in the manual shave segment.
• Worked closely with internal partners such as finance, operations, logistics, and legal, ensuring alignment of resources needed to achieve business objectives.
• Developed and implemented insights-based strategies to increase sales.
• Conducted regular meetings with Walmart merchant team to review performance metrics and address any issues or concerns related to accounts.
• Managed monthly forecasting and P&L processes for my assigned accounts.
• Pro-actively identified and solved complex problems impacting sales and business direction.
• Received the Philips Pinnacle Award as a top 3 sales manager in 2020.

• Successfully managed and consistently grew the Zone Perfect Healthy Snack Bars and EAS Sports Nutrition businesses in over 4,000 Walmart stores, and on Walmart.com.
• Improved both brands' category rankings from the bottom third to the top third over three years.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop and execute planogram and promotional strategies.
• Conducted regular business reviews with the Walmart merchant team to assess needs and service levels.

Regional Sales Specialists, Frito-Lay Snacks

• Developed insights-based sales and promotional strategies to meet regional sales targets for Frito-Lay Snacks in all Walmart stores.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to enhance product visibility, relevance and performance.
• Monitored industry trends and competitor activity to ensure competitive advantage.
• Created and analyzed detailed regional performance reports summarizing regional sales activities for upper management review and to identify areas of improvement and develop corrective action plans.

Business Development Manager, Pepsi Warehouse Beverages

• Developed strategic account plans and sales proposals yielding profitable account growth across the major Pepsico warehouse beverage brands including Gatorade, Propel, and Tropicana.
• Prepared and conducted regular internal presentations to ensure senior management's alignment to customer specific plans and strategies.
• In addition to my assigned role, I successfully performed interim roles as Sales Manager over both the Gatorade and Tropicana businesses. As interim Sales Manager sold-in +10% Tropicana Frozen Juice price increase in 2011, which was the highest PepsiCo price increase negotiated to that point of time.

Category Advisor, Walmart Hot Cereal and Hispanic Cookie Categories

• Served as category advisor and managed modular design and execution for both the Walmart Hot Cereal and Hispanic Cookie categories.

Category Manager, Quaker Foods & Gatorade, Walmart

• As Category Manager I supported a diverse portfolio of Quaker, Aunt Jemima, Rice Roni, and Gamesa Cookie, and Gatorade brands.
• Developed and implemented strategic initiatives that delivered mutual success for Pepsico and Walmart.
• Developed and sold-in strategy that increased Quaker's hot and cold cereal shelf space the equivalent of 23 linear miles.

• Analyzed sales data to identify trends and patterns in product performance.
• Prepared comprehensive reports for senior management on market insights.
• Conducted competitive analysis to inform pricing strategies and product positioning.
• Utilized advanced analytics tools to forecast sales and inventory needs.
• Presented findings and recommendations to cross-functional teams for decision-making.
• Streamlined reporting processes to enhance efficiency in data delivery.
• Analyzed sales data to identify trends and areas for improvement.
• Drove performance report development and crafted insightful analysis to produce demonstrable improvements and results.
• Developed financial analysis reports and presentations by applying acquired financial principles.