Scott Zoeller
aberdeen
Summary
Dynamic leader with a proven track record at Kings Supermarket, excelling in product development and strategic planning. Spearheaded initiatives that drove deli sales growth by 8% year-over-year, while fostering cross-functional teamwork and enhancing supplier relationships. Adept at leveraging data-driven decision-making to optimize performance and achieve significant cost reductions.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Research and development
Livoti’s Old world Market
09.2024 - Current
Deli Supervisor
Livoti’s Old world Market
05.2024 - 09.2024
- Responsible for all new product authorized across all departments
- Lead supplier negotiations
- Retail Price optimization and establish Category management practices
- Lead cost reduction across the business
Uncle Giuseppe’s market place
06.2021 - 03.2022
- Responsible for sales margin and operations of the Deli Department. In 10 stores with extremely high volume
- Total P&L accountability Labor, Wrap, Shrink Sale and Margin
- Work closely with Operations to execute the weekly sales plan and initiatives
- Monitor purchases and review costs and adjust retails if needed to maintain margin
- Reviewing all facets of business for scalability and efficiency
- Negotiate short and long term business contracts and agreements
- Work closely with Deli teams to develop Talent
- Work closely with Chef kitchen operations to plan production and merchandise food
Many Minds Consulting
01.2019 - 05.2021
- Created a company to help retailers and manufactures better understand the retail landscape and opportunities to create sales.
- Currently consult with 3 food companies
- Worked with Tramite S.r.l Veneto Italy a 50 million Euro annual sales broker company that wants to enter the US market with key food and wine products.
- Worked with their product development team and food scientist to develop a vegan plant-based allergen free vegan mozzarella.
- Recently spoke at the 50th anniversary Conegliano Valdobbiadene Italy surrounding prosecco D.O.C. and D.O.C.G. marketing and educational opportunities in the US market.
Vice president Food service
Quick Chek Inc.
02.2018 - 02.2019
- Lead a team of 6 direct reports
- Aligned department consistent with strategic vision and hired 2 category managers
- Upgraded bread program for sandwich program thru extensive cuttings
- Developed and Implemented a plan to expand packaged bakery assortment and repositioned merchandising to optimize impulse sales.
- Implemented cycle baking of cookies during the day to create customer awareness of store baked cookie program and aromas throughout the day.
- Implemented category management process and evaluated promotions to maximize sales and profit.
- Reversed negative sales trend and delivered a plan that increased profit trajectory by 1 million dollars
Vice President, Deli, Meat and Seafood Sales and Merchandising
Kings supermarket, inc. / Balducci’s
05.2015 - 10.2017
- Lead a team of 10 direct reports and 4 indirect with an annual sale volume of over $600.0M.
- Collaborated closely with bakery director to when sourcing DSD bakery bread for sandwich program.
- Cross merchandised packaged impulse bakery within the high traffic Deli prepared foods area for impulse sales and improved customer experience.
- Developed new organizational structure to streamline processes and drive positive results.
- Exceeded margin results, reducing promotion spend and delivering budgeted shrink.
- Delivered positive tonnage leading the organization with the lowest inflation for the past 10 years.
- Grew soups sales over $3.0M dollars over 8 years, outperforming grocery soup category by 2.5X sales.
- Deli was budgeted the largest sales increase vs prior year for the last 4 year and has over achieved the budget.
- Margin grew incrementally and shrink was reduced as incentive programs kicked in which drove contribution rate up 3 basis points in 4 years.
- Added a new square European deli case to Balducci’s market in Scarsdale and Greenwich which elevated the brands image.
- Created a cheese event 'cheesetopia' in Balducci’s and select Kings locations, driving gains in traffic and customer loyalty.
- High energy, proven track record fact based decision maker with a high sense of urgency to achieve results.
Vice President, Deli Sales and Merchandising
Kings supermarket, inc. / Balducci’s
06.2013 - 05.2015
- Lead a team of 3 direct reports and 7 indirect reports with sales volume of 60 million.
- Developed first self-serve noodle bar utilizing best in class suppliers.
- Developed the Fresh Slice pre-sliced meat and cheese program driving $2.0M in sales over 2 years reversing negative trend.
- Developed strong vendor relationships around new programs solidifying our market leading position in salad kits.
Senior Director, Deli Sales and Merchandising
Kings supermarket, inc. / Balducci’s
01.2012 - 12.2013
- Added: prepared foods, specialty cheese, wine and catering.
- Drove deli sales to total increase on average from 13.5% to 15.1%.
- Led major changes to Kings Vision of Deli prepared food through positioning department towards the front of store while piloting new concepts.
- Collaborated with Director of Product Development and on staff Chefs to develop an innovation pipeline.
- Developed numerous HMR / prepared foods solutions including: hand made fresh pasta, international hot food bar, soup kettles, specialty cheese case, a healthy grain bar and an authentic Neapolitan pizza station.
- Custom designed a stainless deli pan system that created ribbons of fresh food driving merchandising consistency.
- This led to reduced shrink; increased sales (8% YOY) and made Kings incomparable to others in the market.
- Created the first Mezze bar that capitalized on the Mediterranean diet and created $2.0M in sales in 18 stores on an annual basis.
Director, Deli sales and merchandising
Kings supermarket, inc. / Balducci’s
01.2006 - 12.2012
- Successfully piloted team through the acquisition of MTM capital and Angelo Gordon PE.
- Transitioned programs to the new corporate vision with a focus on unique, high margin perishable products driving traffic and brand loyalty.
- Worked with field teams to reset and establish new expectations and standard for store merchandising.
- Developed the annual food show with a focus on education, taste testing, and new item launches.
- Drove a 7% positive sales volume in year 1 of new programs.
- Established a chef production facility focused on developing innovative programs to roll out to the entire chain.
- Re-launched a best in class prepacked sandwich programs leveraging recipes from Balducci’s brand.
Deli Sales Manager
Kings supermarket, inc. / Balducci’s
01.2004 - 12.2006
- Responsible for sales margin and shrink for 25 Kings Locations.
- Established category management discipline based on sales size of stores.
- Simplified vendor ordering process.
- Consolidated soup program to one vendor and established incentive program.
- Increased sales 1.2% in 2005 and 1.5% in 2006.
Deli and Culinary Merchandising Manager
Giant Food stores
Carlisle
01.2001 - 12.2004
- 117 Giant food stores and 115 Tops banner stores.
- Responsible for planning and writing ads for $350 million in deli sales annually.
- Attained sales thru effective category management.
Bakery Director, Mid Atlantic Group – Super Fresh
A&P
Baltimore
01.1999 - 12.2001
- Responsibilities included 325 stores in Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
- Developed merchandising programs aligned with company goals.
- Managed warehouse inventory of dry goods.
- Achieved positive sales and profit improvement over previous year through reset and merchandising.
Education
Coursework to Bachelors -
Upsala College
East Orange, New JerseySkills
- Product development
- Supplier negotiation
- Retail price optimization
- Category management
- Cost reduction
- Sales margin analysis
- Trend forecasting
- Effective communication
- Strategic planning
- Problem solving
- Data-driven decision making
- Project management
- Talent development
- Team building
- Cross-functional teamwork
- Customer insight
- Prototyping
- Innovation management
- Competitive analysis
- Design thinking
- Problem-solving abilities
- Written communication
- Decision-making
- Collaboration
- Analytical thinking
- Relationship building
- Attention to detail
- Develop proposals
- Critical thinking
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Process optimization
- Continuous improvement
- Goal setting
- Problem-solving aptitude
- Plan projects
- Presentation skills
- Task prioritization
- Active listening
- Time management
- Analytical skills
References
Furnish upon request
Industry Affiliations
- Buyer Advisory Council for Plant Based Food Expo
- Member IDDBA
- Serve on awards committee – Specialty Food Association
- Participating operator member - Culinary Institute of America Appetites + Innovation
Timeline
Director of Research and development
Livoti’s Old world Market
09.2024 - Current
Deli Supervisor
Livoti’s Old world Market
05.2024 - 09.2024
Uncle Giuseppe’s market place
06.2021 - 03.2022
Many Minds Consulting
01.2019 - 05.2021
Vice president Food service
Quick Chek Inc.
02.2018 - 02.2019
Vice President, Deli, Meat and Seafood Sales and Merchandising
Kings supermarket, inc. / Balducci’s
05.2015 - 10.2017
Vice President, Deli Sales and Merchandising
Kings supermarket, inc. / Balducci’s
06.2013 - 05.2015
Senior Director, Deli Sales and Merchandising
Kings supermarket, inc. / Balducci’s
01.2012 - 12.2013
Director, Deli sales and merchandising
Kings supermarket, inc. / Balducci’s
01.2006 - 12.2012
Deli Sales Manager
Kings supermarket, inc. / Balducci’s
01.2004 - 12.2006
Deli and Culinary Merchandising Manager
Giant Food stores
01.2001 - 12.2004
Bakery Director, Mid Atlantic Group – Super Fresh
A&P
01.1999 - 12.2001
Coursework to Bachelors -
Upsala College