Harcourt Potter

283 Swami Road

North Treestump, Vermont    05789

(802) Job-Magi

 

Objective:  Sales and Marketing Director/VP/Vice President

 

Summary:   Marketing- and sales-oriented executive with experience in all facets of business management, including:

 

Sales Force Development                  Marketing Management

Live Television Appearances             Sales Force Recruitment &Development

Operations Management                  Acquisition Integration

IPO’s

 

Have opened national accounts in most retail channels, including:

 

Discount Stores (Wal-Mart, Target)            Department Stores (Sears, Macy’s, Harrod’s)

Drug Chains (Walgreens, Rite Aid)            Supermarkets (Kroger, Albertsons)

Mail Order (L L Bean, Land’s End)            Specialty Housewares (Williams-Sonoma, Crate & Barrel)

Home Centers (Home Depot, Lowe’s)

  


Experience: 

 

VICE PRESIDENT/SALES & MARKETING, PorkBarrels, Inc.  Porcupine, Vermont.  Reported to the president of this $77-million, NASDAQ Barrel/Planter/Housewares manufacturer and importer.  1999 to present.

 

Oversee all sales and marketing functions. Manage a staff of 31 that included a National Sales Director, Marketing Director, International Sales Director, Customer Service Manager, 5 regional sales managers, 2 national account managers, an art director, 5 product managers and 14 customer service representatives, plus 32 independent rep groups (which employed a total of 175  independent manufacturer’s reps).

 

Sales increased from $23-million to $77-million in nine-year period in a market that underwent a net decrease of 17% during that time.  Net profit increased from 1% to 13% during that period.  Recruited key managers as internal sales and marketing staff increased from 10 to 27.  Led a sales staff that opened key accounts that included Wal-Mart, Williams-Sonoma, Harrod's. Crate & Barrel, Wegmans, Michaels, Target, Ace Hardware, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Carlson Marketing, Maritz, Macy's and Bloomingdale's.

 

EXPORTING:  Identified and retained distributors in Japan, Europe, India and China that gave PorkBarrels their first significant international presence, and recruited and trained an International Sales Manager to service these accounts.  International sales increased from $350,000 to $9.5-million.

 

TELEVISION HOME SHOPPING:  Set up a series of monthly programs that featured a barrelmaker from our factory on QVC, a national home-shopping network.  Generally, I also appear on these programs, which are now in their third year and generate an average of $900,000 in wholesale sales per one-hour program.

 

ACQUISITION INTEGRATION:  Identified Frankenmuth Housewares as an acquisition target, and key member of management team that oversaw and integrated the acquisition of Frankenmuth Housewares, a $7-million housewares importer, into PorkBarrels in 2005.  Frankenmuth-branded products sales have now reached $17-million.

 

IPO EXPERIENCE:  Key member of management team as company’s private equity ownership launched an initial public offering of the company.

 

 

DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETINGWarthogs, Miraculous, Montana.  $13-million privately-held Giftware/Housewares/Garden Accessories Manufacturer.    1993 to 1999.

 

Recruited, trained, and managed sales force of more than 100 manufacturer’s reps calling on gift and gourmet shops, mail order catalogs, premium/corporate accounts, department stores, and mass merchants.  Put together catalogs and brochures, and developed new products, including a line of picnic baskets that L L Bean immediately picked up.

 

Oversaw a company staff that initially consisted of one Assistant Sales Manager/Marketing Manager and on my leaving included a Marketing Manager, National Sales Manager, National Accounts Manager and three clerical support people.

 

Developed a unique pie basket program with Kroger’s bakery department that was featured in Supermarket News.  This led to a promotion with Albertsons, front page items on Ralph’s Memorial Day and 4th of July flyers, and nine more promotions with Kroger.

 

NATIONAL SALES:  On my arrival, sales were rapidly falling and there were only seven major accounts.   I replaced nearly all the reps, and set up two sales divisions, one for major accounts and one for independent shops.  More than 100 major accounts were opened, including Sears, J.C. Penney, Spiegel, Orvis, Amway, True Value, Dayton-Hudson's, May Company and Walgreen’s as sales increased from $4-million to $13-million in 6 years.

 

MARKETING/PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT:  Developed catalogs and brochures, sales forecasts and new packaging.  Worked with reps and accounts to develop new product ideas.  After discussions with Country Curtains and Vermont Country Store, I put together a line of wrought iron curtain accessories that became over 15% of our sales (Country Curtains became our largest customer).  Recruited and worked with freelance designer who developed items that opened up new markets and new accounts, including J.C. Penney, Land’s End, Dillard’s, and Crate & Barrel.

 

PROMOTION:  Placed Warthogs products in national consumer and trade magazine articles, all at no charge to the company.  Magazines included Cosmopolitan, Family Circle, Country Living, First For Women, Country Woman, Mademoiselle, Craftworks (front cover) and Be-Pal (Japan’s leading outdoor magazine).  Also placed Warthogs products on national TV programs and movies, ranging from Northern Exposure to Barney and Friends.

 

PRODUCT SOURCING:  Sourced manufacturers for contract work to increase product base.  These ranged from not-listed-in-any-directory woodworking companies to more traditional companies like brass manufacturers and contract packagers.  At times, sourced and purchased raw materials, including steel, glass and packaging items.

 

PRODUCT COSTING:  worked with plant manager and factory personnel to develop an accurate cost structure, and personally oversaw those maintaining that system for two transitional  years for the company.

 

 

Beauteous Corporation, Hamhocks, Ohio.  $9-million Giftwrap manufacturer. 1989 to 1993. 

 

EASTERN REGIONAL SALES MANAGER & MARKETING MANAGER (1991 to 1993)

 

Reporting to VP/Sales, directed sales force of independent reps covering all states east of the Mississippi.  Opened Brooks Pharmacies, Kroger, Stop & Shop and Ames as sales in region increased from $4-million to $6-million.

 

NORTHEAST SALES MANAGER (1986 – 1991). 

 

Assisted VP/Sales in management of national independent rep force while covering Northeast directly.  Due to seasonal nature of the business, also became involved in marketing, product development, shipping, purchasing, and production management.

 

MARKETING:  Developed annual marketing plan. Worked with general manager and freelance artists to develop new product line. Designed and developed 4-color catalogs.

 

PURCHASING:  Purchased point-of-purchase displays, labels (saving $15,000), and Christmas tags.

 

OPERATIONS:  Worked as production supervisor during non-sales and peak production season for 5 months/year directing 25 to 30 employees, and ran entire factory (150 employees) in plant manager’s absence.  Managed factory store (open for 6-week period before Christmas).  Located and rented store, promoted it, and directed on-site manager.


 

 

Education:  PRINCETON UNIVERSITY, Bachelor of Arts, 1986

 

Major:  Psychology

 

 

Personal Interests:  Bicycling, Backpacking, Kayaking, Caving, Skiing, Basketball, Hockey,

Ham Radio (Extra Class License)

 

Former minor league football player, Albany, N.Y.  Set league field goal record (50 yards) and led league in kick-scoring twice in five-year career.

 

Timson Hill Preschool, Board of Directors, 1994 – 2001

 

Porcupine Regional School District, Board of Directors, 2004-present

 

Established Oinkers Youth Basketball League, 2002 (President, 2002-2004; Coach 2002 to present)

 

 

 

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