Expert Details
CPG, Retail & Food Service: Growth Strategy, Market Expansion & Product Commercialization
ID: 740237
New York, USA
Currently, Expert serves as Managing Director of a consulting firm he founded to help international companies penetrate the U.S. market. His work includes providing expert guidance on market opportunities, forming strategic partnerships, and leading consulting projects from conception through execution. Previously, he was the General Manager and Vice President of Cones, Wafers, and Crackers at Hearthside Foods, where he managed a $200 million business unit, optimized sales processes, and facilitated the sale of three sites to an international buyer.
During his tenure at Dannon, he held various senior roles, including Senior Director of Category Management & Shopper Marketing for the Northeast Region, where he managed a $5 billion category and oversaw a $10 million shopper marketing budget. He also led a successful turnaround of the YoCream brand, directed strategic planning efforts for major retail customers, and generated significant new sales by expanding Dannon’s reach into commercial channels such as convenience stores and quick-service restaurants.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Consumer Science from the University Laval in Canada and is fluent in English, Spanish, and French. His expertise encompasses stakeholder engagement, performance metrics, customer relationship management, and M&A project execution, making him a leader of driving business growth and operational excellence.
Education
| Year | Degree | Subject | Institution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year: 1999 | Degree: BSc | Subject: Consumer Science | Institution: University Laval, QC, Canada |
Work History
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years: 2024 to Present | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: Managing Director | Department: |
Responsibilities:• Providing expert guidance and strategic direction to international companies seeking to penetrate the US retail and food service markets.• Lead client engagements by assessing their needs, delivering tailored consulting solutions, and ensuring high levels of client satisfaction and retention. • Oversee all phases of consulting projects, from the initial concept through implementation, ensuring timely delivery within budget constraints. • Facilitated successful entry of international companies into the competitive US market by providing specialized market expertise. |
|||
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2020 to 2024 | Employer: Hearthside Foods/Weston Foods | Title: General Manager / VP | Department: Cones, Wafers and Crackers (CWC) |
Responsibilities:• Directed strategic sales initiatives and managed presentations for the CWC category, culminating in the successful transaction of the business.• Oversaw profit and loss for a $200M business unit, demonstrating financial acumen and operational oversight. • Facilitated cross-functional team collaboration to optimize sales processes and enhance product positioning in the market. • Developed and implemented sales strategies to expand market share and drive business growth. • Coordinated with key stakeholders to ensure alignment of business objectives with sales targets. |
|||
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2019 to 2020 | Employer: Dannon Yogurt | Title: Senior Director, Category Management & Shopper Marketing | Department: NE Region |
Responsibilities:• Directed a team of 14 category managers, focusing on partnerships with customers and sales teams to foster category growth in the Northeast region.• Oversaw a combined category size exceeding $5B, ensuring strategic alignment with market trends and consumer demands. • Administered a $10M shopper marketing budget, optimizing spend for maximum impact on sales and brand visibility. • Developed and executed category management strategies to enhance product positioning and drive revenue growth. • Coordinated cross-functional efforts with marketing, sales, and supply chain to ensure cohesive execution of category initiatives. |
|||
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2017 to 2019 | Employer: Dannon Yogurt | Title: Senior Director, YoCream Frozen Yogurt | Department: |
Responsibilities:• Directed strategic planning initiatives to revitalize the YoCream brand, resulting in a significant turnaround and market growth.• Oversaw a team of seven, overseeing operations across the U.S. market and maintaining relationships with 89 distributors. • Engineered a comprehensive strategy that propelled YoCream's business to exceed baseline projections by $20M. |
|||
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2013 to 2017 | Employer: Dannon Yogurt | Title: Senior Director, Commercial Channel | Department: |
Responsibilities:• Oversaw strategic initiatives to penetrate new commercial channels for Dannon, targeting convenience stores, quick-service restaurants, and food chains.• Cultivated pivotal relationships and negotiated contracts with industry giants, including Disney and 7-Eleven, to secure lucrative distribution agreements. • Directed the expansion of product presence in key customer venues (i.e. Sam's Club, Costco, and Wawa,) significantly enhancing brand visibility and accessibility. |
|||
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2012 to 2013 | Employer: Dannon Yogurt | Title: Director, Strategy & Planning | Department: |
Responsibilities:• Directed strategic planning and execution for major retail customers, leading a team of 14 planning managers to optimize trade spending and company strategy.• Oversaw a $600M trade budget, enhancing return on investment through comprehensive analysis and targeted strategy adjustments. • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to align company-wide objectives with market trends and customer needs. • Fostered innovation in planning processes to drive efficiency and effectiveness across the organization. |
|||
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2010 to 2012 | Employer: Dannon Yogurt | Title: Walmart Director | Department: |
Responsibilities:• Directed team force that achieved Dairy Supplier of the Year award through strategic market analysis and relationship building. |
|||
International Experience
| Years | Country / Region | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Years: 1999 to 2004 | Country / Region: Canada | Summary: Senior Key Account Manager & CRM Project Sales Leader, Danone • Developed a CRM platform in collaboration with suppliers, enhancing trade promotion efficiency and accuracy. • Achieved a substantial increase in account revenue, marking a two-digit growth rate for key clients. Sales Manager, Procter & Gamble • Accelerated career progression through demonstrated sales acumen and leadership, earning promotion within two years. • Directed a team responsible for significant category management across national retail chains, achieving notable sales growth. |
Language Skills
| Language | Proficiency |
|---|---|
| Spanish | Native |
| English | Fluent |
| French | Fluent |