Alan Whetstine

Background

About Alan Whetstine

Award-winning senior sales leadership with entrepreneurial roles as a leader, teacher, business driver, change agent and product advocate. Successful history in strategic team building, test markets, new business and product development, Private Label products, multi-account oversight, product marketing and territory growth in demanding environments. Widely recognized by top executives and industry peers for comprehensive expertise in contract negotiations, organic brands, brand development, C-level presentations, private label business, market penetration, partnership building and consumer insight analysis in the military (AAFES), foodservice, grocery, E-Commerce, club, mass, farm, DSD, CBD, food brokers and pet industries. Solid background in key account management, estimating, negotiating, and administering large-scale contracts, vendor/supplier relations, trade deals and broker networks through rapidly shifting startups and follow-up settings. Ability to penetrate multiple accounts and build lasting personal and business relationships built on trust and knowledge. Proficient in collaborating easily with CEOs, business partners, utilizing IRI/Nielsen data, corporate HQs, procurement professionals, military accounts, regional managers, store supervisors and tradeshow attendees and diverse internal resources in planning, organizing, and executing complex sales, marketing, and merchandising strategies. Purposeful formation and mentoring of teams and sales departments in delivering profit-building initiatives, training, business plans, new product rollouts, EBITA focused earnings and continuous improvements within an organization. Confidently focused on optimizing sales at Sprouts, PETCO, Target, large distributors, key brokers, large grocery accounts and regional development projects involving wide range of consumer-oriented products and store solutions. Initiative-taking to achieve maximum sales performance (inside and outside sales teams), ensure persistent revenue growth, maintain peak customer satisfaction, and meet aggressive growth sales objectives in CPG lines in all categories. CORE COMPETENCIES Business Development Strategic Planning Customer Insight Pricing Strategy Store Management Market Penetration Vendor Relations Customer Insight Inventory Controls Supplier Negotiations Microsoft Office Business to Business Market Trend Review Training & Development Contract Negotiations Branding Strategies New Brand and Product Introduction Competitive Analysis Email and Social Media Marketing