Robert Self
Fredericksburg,PA
Summary
Dynamic Sales & Merchandising leader with a proven record in team leadership, growth and development of colleagues, culture building, and driving financial performance. Recognized for coaching excellence, strategy, significant volume & profit growth, showcasing strong customer and vendor relationship management with cross-functional collaboration skills.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President of Merchandising
Sysco Corporation
Harrisburg, PA
06.2026 - Current
- Leads the Merchandising team in the Pennsylvania Region for Sysco.
- Responsible for Merchandising strategy and performance in a region producing $1.7 Billion in annual revenue.
- Trained and mentored the Merchandising team supporting 3 sites within the PA Region (Philadelphia, Allentown, Harrisburg).
- Cultivated relationships with key stakeholders to align merchandising goals with business objectives.
- Evaluated supplier performance according to quality standards, cost effectiveness, and timeliness of deliveries.
District Sales Manager
Sysco Pennsylvania
Harrisburg , PA
01.2023 - 06.2026
- Achieved district revenue goals, generating approximately $70 million annually through strategic planning.
- Maintained highest profit per piece district at Sysco's Central PA operating site.
- Led team of up to 13 sales consultants, maximizing performance through targeted training and coaching and culture development.
- Provided weekly coaching and development to multiple peer DSMs across three sites.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to align growth initiatives with corporate and local objectives, driving strategic success.
- Received Platinum Club Award for FY 2024, recognizing the top three district sales managers in the PA region.
- Promoted sales consultant to district sales manager, strengthening team leadership and capacity.
Sales Consultant
Sysco Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, PA
01.2019 - 01.2023
- Managed and serviced customer accounts, driving new business growth and increasing market basket purchases. Consulted with customers to develop plans that drove traffic, increased efficiencies, and grew profitability. Trained new sales consultants in the district.
- Recognized as a sales growth winner in the Executive Club for Fiscal Years 2021 and 2022
- Over $1 million of net new business revenue shipped in FY21
- 36 new accounts opened in 52 weeks of fiscal 2022. Total growth of over 28k cases and more than $170k in profit growth.
- Joined National Field Ideation Team, selected by leadership to represent sales consultants' voices and provide input on company initiatives.
Food Service Director
Aramark at UPMC Pinnacle Harrisburg Hospital
Harrisburg, PA
04.2018 - 01.2019
- Oversaw all patient and retail dining operations for 400-bed hospital in downtown Harrisburg.
- Managed a patient kitchen providing three daily meals to patients and a full-service café with 150 seats.
- Directed two additional full-service dining outlets, ensuring high-quality service and customer satisfaction.
- Managed food inventory while adhering to budgetary constraints, optimizing resource use.
- Collaborated on developing standardized financial budgets to optimize resource allocation.
- Monitored patient satisfaction scores, enhancing service quality to boost overall ratings.
- Developed staff training programs to strengthen management and operational skills.
- Departed due to Aramark losing food service contract.
Food & Beverage Director
Bent Creek Country Club
Lititz, PA
06.2014 - 04.2018
- Managed all banquet and a la carte dining outlets for private members-only country club.
- Oversaw members-only bar, lounge, indoor/outdoor patio dining, and casual poolside restaurant operations.
- Upgraded service at poolside restaurant, driving 89.2% revenue growth over two seasons.
- Increased member satisfaction at poolside restaurant from 82.5% to 97% within one season.
- Implemented inventory management training for executive chefs, resulting in $110,000 food cost savings.
- Streamlined beverage cost control, reducing cost of goods percentage from 33.1% to 27.8% through standard operating procedures.
Managing Partner/General Manager
Roy's Hawaiian Fusion Restaurant
Sarasota, FL
01.2011 - 06.2014
- Accountable for overall sales and profit and all responsibilities associated with being a general manager. Worked within budgets to meet national and regional goals for this $2.5 million fine dining restaurant.
- Achieved highest secret shopper score among 22 Roy's Restaurants for a calendar year, demonstrating commitment to exceptional service quality.
- Attained 'Top 10' Sarasota Restaurant Status through Trip Advisor, consistently remained in the top 3 restaurants.
- Established strategic partnerships with Ritz Carlton of Sarasota & Naples and other national hotel chains, enhancing brand visibility and driving customer referrals.
- Mentored and promoted three line cooks to Sous Chef, one Sous Chef to Chef Partner, one server to Dining Room Manager, and one Dining Room Manager to Managing Partner, fostering talent development.
- Engaged in media and community-related events such as Saks Fifth Avenue annual 'Key to the Cure' event and Lakewood Ranch Food & Wine Festival, while serving as Wounded Warrior's Sarasota Title Sponsor.
Education
Associates Degree - Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management
The Culinary Institute of America (C.I.A.)
Hyde Park, NY04-2003
Skills
- Sales strategy
- Sales forecasting
- Revenue forecasting
- Market analysis
- Customer relationship management
- Team leadership
- Sales leadership
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Coaching and mentoring
- Effective communication
- Conflict resolution
Timeline
Vice President of Merchandising
Sysco Corporation
06.2026 - Current
District Sales Manager
Sysco Pennsylvania
01.2023 - 06.2026
Sales Consultant
Sysco Pennsylvania
01.2019 - 01.2023
Food Service Director
Aramark at UPMC Pinnacle Harrisburg Hospital
04.2018 - 01.2019
Food & Beverage Director
Bent Creek Country Club
06.2014 - 04.2018
Managing Partner/General Manager
Roy's Hawaiian Fusion Restaurant
01.2011 - 06.2014
Associates Degree - Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management
The Culinary Institute of America (C.I.A.)