Thomas Hale
Cincinnati
Summary
Enterprising, entrepreneurial, driven sales leader with extensive multi-channel business building experience. Excellent track-record of leading cross-functional teams to exceed sales, share, profit, and organizational goals.
Sales leader with proven ability to drive revenue growth and enhance team performance. Expertise in sales strategy, client relationship management, and market analysis. Strong focus on teamwork, adaptability, and achieving results. Known for leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Sales Kroger/Albertsons
Jack Links Snack Foods
01.2023 - Current
- Responsible for Sales Leadership and Training of a team of 3 sales associates
- Team lead on all on hiring, on-boarding, education and sales training for new hires
- Establish and track sales metrics and performance for the entire team
- Developed and executed strategic sales plans to drive revenue growth across multiple markets.
- Gained distribution of 14 new items at Kroger (in-line) and 4 new items on Kroger check lanes in 202.4/2025
- On track to deliver $4m dollars in dollar sales growth in 2025. This will be the first time Kroger/ABS has grown in 6 years.
Director of Sales
Rib Rack, LLC
01.2021 - 01.2023
- Responsible for Key Accounts including Kroger, Publix, Whole Foods, Fresh Market, Fresh Thyme, Target, UNFI, and KeHE (all major retailers)
- Managing internal cross functional team and broker network that is responsible for delivering monthly sales, profit, and new distribution objectives
- Delivering gross sales and profit contribution as well as growing share at all customers
- Establish and track promotional plans, develops, and uses tools to analyze and monitor individual account performance
Director of Sales – Kroger/Target
Sovos Brands
01.2020 - 01.2021
- Grew total Sovos Brand sales at Kroger +$20MM
- Increased Kroger market share of Rao’s Pasta Sauce by 6 points
- Successfully designed and implemented the first ever Rao’s/Murray’s Cheese tie-in event at Kroger
- Successfully launched the Birch Bender’s Brand at Kroger by gaining 11 new items in distribution
- Grew Noosa yoghurt distribution by 10% at Kroger including the launch of Noosa drinks
Director of Sales
Sugar Foods Corporation
01.2016 - 01.2020
- Increased Sugar Foods SE Regional sales dollar sales at by $7 million in sales in 2018 - 2020
- Successfully managed the design of multiple Private Label items within Kroger, Publix and SEG
- Managed the development and launch of Kroger Simple Truth Organic Croutons
- Developed and launched 8 Tiger Tail craft BBQ and Mustard sauces for Publix
- Branded and Private Label Sales
Sales Director, Kroger
Bumble Bee Foods, LLC
01.2011 - 01.2016
- Achieved volume and profit goals for Bumble Bee Foods representing $50MM in direct sales volume across 2,500 stores. Management of a full, cross functional, broker team that included Finance, Logistics, Marketing, Customer Care and Retail at Kroger, Harris Teeter, Roundy’s, and Safeway-Albertsons.
- Increased Bumble Bee dollar sales at Kroger by +14% and unit sales by 30%
- Improved Bumble Bee dollar profit by 17% at Kroger
- Designed and implemented Bumble Bee’s first ever customer-specific pallet program delivering over $500k in incremental yearly sales
- Winner of the King Oscar Sardine Sales Excellence Award – 2011 & 2012
- Sales Director of the Year – 2014
- Shopper Marketing – “Who’s Who” in Customer Teams, Kroger - 2014
- Bumble Bee Corporate Associate the Year – 2015
Mars Petcare – Kroger Team Lead
Mars, Inc.
01.1993 - 01.2011
- Increased Mars Petcare business at Kroger by $30MM in 5 years
- Implemented first ever Swell agreement at Kroger - $500k yearly savings in unsalables
- 2008 Director’s Award winner for Sales/Team Lead Excellence
- 2011 Inductee into “The Mars Tie-Club”
- 2010/2011 Best in company “Customer Satisfaction” scores with Kroger
- Kroger Sr. National Account Manager - Detroit, MI (2004 – 2005)
- K-Mart National Account Manager -Troy, MI (2002 – 2004)
- Sr. Key Account Manager (Detroit, MI, Milwaukee, WI and OH) - (1998 – 2002)
- Key Account Manager (Michigan Market) - (1995 - 1998)
- Retail Sales Associate- Lansing, MI (1993 – 1995)
Education
BS - Advertising/Marketing Sales
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MISkills
- Sales training and leadership
- Revenue growth
- Sales funnel management
- Deal closing
Additional Sales Training:
- Gap Partnership Accelerated Negotiation Training – Phase I
- Gap Partnership Accelerated Negotiation Training – Phase II
- Negotiate to Win
- Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
- Critical Thinking – Kepnor – Tregoe
- Conceptual Selling – Miller / Heiman, Inc.
Timeline
Director of Sales Kroger/Albertsons
Jack Links Snack Foods
01.2023 - Current
Director of Sales
Rib Rack, LLC
01.2021 - 01.2023
Director of Sales – Kroger/Target
Sovos Brands
01.2020 - 01.2021
Director of Sales
Sugar Foods Corporation
01.2016 - 01.2020
Sales Director, Kroger
Bumble Bee Foods, LLC
01.2011 - 01.2016
Mars Petcare – Kroger Team Lead
Mars, Inc.
01.1993 - 01.2011
BS - Advertising/Marketing Sales
Ferris State University