Kevin D.

Experience

• BrightFox

  Director of Sales

  Jun 2022 - Dec 2023

  TBE Beverages, the maker of BrightFox Hydration Beverage is one of the most exciting new beverages to enter the market — containing the highest amount of electrolytes with zero compromise. BrightFox is scientifically enriched with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Our still and sparkling beverages are made without sugar, artificial sweeteners, calories, stimulants, coloring, or preservatives — and bottled using the most recyclable material in the world: high-grade aluminum. BrightFox optimizes your hydration cycle both day and night for a Brighter Tomorrow.

  • A category-defining beverage – cross between a sports drink and designer water – scientifically
  • formulated with a mix of vitamins, minerals, electrolytes and antioxidants that has been designed to
  • hydrate, fuel and replenish.
  • Developed and set sales organization goals to build brand nationally through fiscally responsible
  • growth, building distribution through wine & spirit distributors from $0 $500K.
  •  Identified and created company promotional structure for direct and distributor business,
  • strategically focusing on NY beverage distributors for on-premise wine & spirits sales.
  •  Negotiated and successfully contracted business with Encore Boston and NYC night clubs.
  •  Hired and onboarded 3 regional managers.

• Green Seed Group

  East Coast Sales Manager

  May 2015 - Dec 2018

  Green Seed Group is a unique international network of 11 independent sales and marketing consultancies for the food & drink sector.We provide a full range of sales, marketing and research consulting services for food & beverage companies. We develop specific plans for food & beverage products in your target markets, built on intimate knowledge of the local consumer environment. We help design packaging of your product for entry to the market, based on first-hand knowledge of local consumer culture, local retail systems and local regulations. We assist finding distributors, importers and other local logistics partners, facilitated by the established relationships that only a local service has at its disposal – relationships with local retail buyers in particular. We plan and execution of in-market trade and consumer marketing services: promotions, social marketing, event management and public relations, with the close attention that only locally-based in-market people can provide. We deliver on-going retail account management in the market itself, providing close-up supervision of your product’s developing sales performance.

  • International food & beverage sales & marketing consultancy providing a turn-key approach to establish
  • on-shelf retail presence and develop effective marketing strategies that build brand awareness and
  • stimulate trial.
  • Oversaw a brand portfolio consisting of beverage, frozen & grocery products across the east coast in
  • conventional grocery and natural channels, securing new distribution and growing book of business to $9MM.
  •  Directed customer relationships in the east across all classes of trade including Ahold,
  • Wegman’s, Shaw’s, Wakefern, Acme, WFM, Fresh Market, Harris Teeter and all natural key
  • accounts.
  •  Built relationships with all distributors for national business including UNFI, KeHE, C&S and DPI.
  •  Relaunched Pukka Tea through US distributors, growing brand from $100K to $4MM and
  • achieving a successful acquisition by Unilever in 2017.
  •  Implemented successful go-to-market strategy for Tyrrell’s Chips, launching the UK brand in the
  • US in 30+ Au Bon Pain locations throughout the Northeast.

• method products inc.

  National Sales Director - Natural Channel

  May 2012 - Apr 2015

  Method Products is part of Lifestyle Brands (the LSB), a growing house of like-minded brands under the SC Johnson umbrella including Method, Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day, Babyganics and Ecover. Headquartered in San Francisco with additional operations in Chicago and throughout Europe, the LSB is home to 650 employees. Together we act as a force for bold, transformative growth with a focus on delivering positive impact for people and the planet. At the LSB we imagine the world that we want, then set out to create it. We do things differently, because we’re out to make a difference. If you’re into pioneering the future and doing good while doing business, come join us. The LSB is part of SC Johnson, a family-owned company and leading manufacturer of household cleaning, home storage, air care, pest control and shoe care products, as well as professional products. Originally founded in 1886 and headquartered in Wisconsin, U.S.A., SC Johnson and the Lifestyle Brands division are at work for a better world. For career opportunities with SC Johnson Lifestyle Brands, please visit jobs.scjlifestylebrands.com or https://www.linkedin.com/company/scj-lifestyle-brands/ on LinkedIn.

  • Plant-based home & body care products that are non-toxic, biodegradable and cruelty-free (acquired by Ecover in 2012).
  • Developed successful natural channel sales & marketing strategies for Method and Ecover – defining brand identity and market strategies – growing total sales by 25% ($10MM).
  •  Hired, educated, trained and managed a sales team and broker network (3 direct reports).
  •  Spearheaded and executed the national relaunch of Ecover (70% natural channel accounts),
  • including a full packaging redesign.
  •  Developed and implemented marketing and fiscal changes benefiting the bottom line at all
  • distributors and retailers – including UNFI, WFM, NCGA, Sprouts, Vita Cost and IHerb – and
  • growing Method and Ecover on a national scale.
  •  Reviewed and redesigned broker network, transitioning to Acosta nationally.

• Newman's Own, Inc.

  Regional Sales Manager East

  Jun 2000 - Jan 2012

  Newman’s Own, Inc., founded by Paul Newman in 1982, offers great tasting, high-quality food and beverage products for families and their pets. Products include salad dressings, pasta sauces, frozen pizza, salsa, refrigerated drinks, cookies, and popcorn as well as dog food and dog treats. Newman’s Own, Inc. continues Paul Newman’s founding commitment to “give it all away,” with 100% of profits going to organizations that help children who face adversity through the Newman's Own Foundation.

  • Created procedures and policies to develop and promote the brand, growing the Eastern Region
  • across natural & conventional channels from $2MM $25MM.

• UNFI

  Northeast Sales Manager

  May 1997 - Jun 2000

  UNFI is North America’s Premier Food Wholesaler. We transform the world of food for our associates, customers, suppliers and the families we serve every day. With deeper full store selection and compelling brands for every aisle, built on an unmatched heritage in great food and fresh thinking. And smarter food solutions, from fulfillment to insights and beyond, that help entrepreneurs and major brands alike unlock their full potential and transform their businesses – for the better. Better Food. Better Future.

  • Managed all northeast retailers including Safeway/Albertson, Ahold/Delhaize and Wegman’s.