Robert C. Carter
Lusby,USA
Summary
Wine sales professional prepared for this role, bringing wealth of experience in strategic planning and operational management. Delivered impactful results through effective leadership and resource optimization. Focused on fostering team collaboration and achieving exceptional outcomes with adaptability and reliability. Skilled in financial management, strategic growth, and customer relations.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
Owner
RL Wines Consulting
10.2020 - Current
- Working with wineries in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Bordeaux France
- Building US distribution as well as increasing consumer visibility
- Major responsibilities included, increasing off-premise chain sales, Off-premise account included PLCB, Giant, Weis, and over 100 Mid-Atlantic independent accounts
- In 2024 our Bordeaux portfolio grew from 0 cases to 3000 cases in 9 months through Mid-Atlantic independent on-off premise channels, and continuous in-store tastings, and brand education
- Monitored market conditions to set accurate product pricing and take advantage of emerging trends.
- Expanded business into new markets, including, VA, TN, LA, DC, MD, GA.
Regional Director
Purple Wine & Spirits
10.2019 - 10.2020
- My principal role was to implement the sales plan, budget management, T&E, samples, incentives, and promotions by partnering with our distributor partners.
- Partners included, Young's Market, and Wine Warehouse in CA and Southern Glazers Wine and Spirits, Vin Sauvage in NV, and Youngs Market Utah.
- Continuous cadence meetings with each executive team monthly and quarterly and yearly to plan, execute and track accountability to achieve our multi-channel sales/distribution goals
- An immediate impact in the market came from mentoring and coaching the distributors sales force and giving constant in field support
- We accomplished 95% of our 2020 spirit goal in 7 months
- Top accounts include Costco, Nugget, Total Wine, Sands, MGM, Lee's Liquors, and Liquor World
- Purple's nationally recognized brands are, Redwood Empire Whiskey, Benham's Gin, Raeburn, Avalon, and Four Vines
- Organized promotional events and interacted with community to increase sales volume.
- Increased profit margins by effectively controlling budget and overhead and optimizing product turns.
- Delivered recommendations to long-term accounts to promote brand awareness to key audience.
- Liaised with sales, marketing, and management teams to develop solutions and accomplish shared objectives.
- Created unique sales incentives and sell sheets.
Owner and Coach
The Wine Contor
01.2016 - 10.2019
- Company Overview: The Wine Contor is a dynamic boutique importer specialized in Premium to Ultra-Premium German and Italian, and Grower Champagne
- Predominantly focused on the B2B multi-level channel distribution sector
- Primary focus was 5-star on-premise accounts and hotels
- Accounts included Hakkasan, John George, Four Seasons, Shangri-La, Ritz Carlton, and Mandarin Oriental
- Retail division sales where driven by regional chains such as City Shop and BHG
- Portfolio included, Aspasie Grower Champagne,
- German brands included Willi Haag, S.A, Dr.F Wiens-Prum, Philipp Kuhn, Balthasar Ress, and Friedrich Becker
- Italian portfolio focused on an exclusive Bio-dynamic Toscana brand Querciabella
- Our team was selected as the Best German Wine Importer in 2017, 2018, and 2019 by the German Wine Institute.
Owner and Coach
R&L Wine Company
01.2008 - 01.2019
- Company Overview: Producer, Importer, and Distributer specializing in building distribution networks throughout Mainland China
- Creating our own brands as well as OEM products to supply our Chinese multi-channel distribution platform
- These OEM brands are produced in France, Italy, USA, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand
- We successfully built a network of over 50 distributors in five provinces. Our primary distribution point being Beijing
- We eclipsed the 250,000-bottle mark for the first time ending in 2014 with sales of 450,000 bottles in 2018
- We also built strategic retail partners including April Gourmet, BHG, Carrefour, Lucky Chain, Tesco, and IWEX
- Increased customer satisfaction by implementing efficient business processes and providing exceptional service.
- Managed day-to-day business operations.
- Developed and maintained strong relationships with clients, resulting in repeat business and referrals.
- Managed financial aspects of the business, including budgeting, financial reporting, and tax preparation.
- Hired trained, and managed a high-performing team of employees dedicated to achieving company goals.
- Implemented marketing strategies to increase brand awareness and attract new customers.
- Evaluated industry competition regularly to maintain a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
Director of Sales and Operations
Epicurean Wines
09.2006 - 05.2008
- Responsible for US sales and distribution of 30 Australian/New Zealand brands and 130 SKU's ranging from popular to luxury priced
- My direct reports consisted of 13 personnel, 6 office and 7 Sales Manager
- Set up all reporting systems to track sales and distribution as well as 5-year sales, marketing, and revenue plan
- Reported directly to the owner on all aspects of planning, forecasting, sales, and operations
- Our team produced double-digit sales growth because of our ability to build key and strong relationships with our market partners
- Sales increased from $6,500,000.00 to $15,000,000.00 in one year
- Managed financial planning and budgeting processes, ensuring fiscal responsibility and maximizing return on investments.
- Established a culture of continuous improvement, fostering innovation and driving sustainable growth across the organization.
- Identified opportunities to improve business process flows and productivity.
- Championed talent development programs, promoting employee engagement and retention while enhancing overall workforce capabilities.
- Developed innovative sales and marketing strategies to facilitate business expansion.
Regional Manager
Vincor International
09.2000 - 09.2006
- Top ranked Regional Manager in fine wine division, responsible for sales and marketing of Canadian still and Icewines from both Ontario and British Columbia
- Reported directly to Vice President on sales, budgets, target list, forecasting, and on/off premise national accounts
- Responsible for selling major accounts off target list on average 20-30 per week
- Consistently maintained under budget while hitting all sales and distribution goals in all 5 years
- Our team built one of the strongest dessert brands in the USA; Inniskillin, while creating a high demand for dessert wines
- We won supplier of the year from Capital Grill in 2005
- Managed revenue models, process flows, operations support, and customer engagement strategies.
- Organized promotional events and interacted with community to increase sales volume.
- Liaised with sales, marketing, and management teams to develop solutions and accomplish shared objectives.
- Increased sales volume and expanded product line to new retailers, warehouse clubs and national food chains.
Champagne and Wine State Manager
Remy Amerique
09.1998 - 09.2000
- Responsibilities included but not limited to all sales and marketing of Krug, Charles and Piper Heidsieck, and Piper Sonoma, Champagne and Antinori wines
- Was instrumental in creating a Fine wine division in Florida where our 3 team members increased sales an average of 25% per year
- Organized promotional events and interacted with community to increase sales volume.
- Reported directly to General Sale's manager with responsibilities of forecasting sales, budgets as well as monthly meetings with Distributor Management at RNDC, Florida
- Developed over 100 key accounts, including independent, and regional retail accounts.
District Manager
Saranac Brewing Company
09.1996 - 09.1998
- Responsible for all aspects of Sales and Marketing for the Mid-Atlantic Region
- This entailed multi state responsibility of forecasting and implementing sales and target list as well as inventory control
- Managed direct team of two reports
- Developed a focus wide product calendar executed by distributor and sales team
- Grew YOY sales 22 % by consistently meeting and exceeding quotas.
- Led sales meetings to communicate objectives, review progress against goals, and discuss areas for improvement.
- Developed strong partnerships with key clients, ensuring long-term business relationships and repeat sales.
On-Premise Sales Manager
E&J Gallo Winery/Wine Merchants LTD
10.1991 - 09.1996
- Territory Sales Representative covering off-premises accounts in central N.Y
- Main portfolio focus was Gallo wines along with Premium wines such as Pindar, Duckwalk, Glenora, and Chimney Rock
- Promoted in 1993 to create an On-Premise division in Eastern N.Y
- Our team consisted of three Sales Representatives
- We increased sales from 100 cases a month to over 2,000 cases a month in one year
- Our team was a critical part in the successful launch of Gallo Sonoma through on-premise channels
- Training included all E&J Gallo sales programs at the winery and outside such as SIERA
- Increased sales revenue by developing and implementing effective sales strategies.
- Managed key accounts with strategic planning and relationship building, resulting in increased customer loyalty and repeat business.
Education
Enology
U.C. Davis
On-Line09.2025
Skills
- Friendly, positive attitude
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving
- Multitasking Abilities
- Excellent verbal and written communication
- Problem resolution
- Critical thinking
- Business development
- Sales leadership
- Financial planning
- Building wholesaler, consumer, and account brand champions
Timeline
Owner
RL Wines Consulting
10.2020 - Current
Regional Director
Purple Wine & Spirits
10.2019 - 10.2020
Owner and Coach
The Wine Contor
01.2016 - 10.2019
Owner and Coach
R&L Wine Company
01.2008 - 01.2019
Director of Sales and Operations
Epicurean Wines
09.2006 - 05.2008
Regional Manager
Vincor International
09.2000 - 09.2006
Champagne and Wine State Manager
Remy Amerique
09.1998 - 09.2000
District Manager
Saranac Brewing Company
09.1996 - 09.1998
On-Premise Sales Manager
E&J Gallo Winery/Wine Merchants LTD
10.1991 - 09.1996
Enology
U.C. Davis
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