Jill Sweet
Raceland
Summary
Seasoned Category Manager with expertise in driving $4M weekly sales through strategic brand management and vendor negotiations. Skilled in sales forecasting, market analysis, and team leadership, consistently enhancing product assortment and achieving growth in competitive markets. Proven track record in building strong vendor relationships and leveraging ecommerce strategies for profitability and margin expansion.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
CATEGORY MANAGER
Rouses Markets
Schriever
12.2023 - Current
- Dairy and Frozen Foods – 4 million a week in sales.
- Responsible for 78 stores sales, brand excellence, conditions, promotions, customers service, merchandising and overall Gross Profit.
- Overseeing all replenishment, pricing, selection, and advertising.
- Overall strategy for continued growth.
- Developed category strategies to enhance product assortment and drive sales growth.
- Collaborated with suppliers to negotiate pricing and secure favorable terms.
- Analyzed market trends to identify opportunities for new product introductions.
CATEGORY MANAGER
Cost-U-Less
Boca Raton
09.2021 - 12.2023
- Beverages, Alcohol, Confections and Tobacco.
- Responsible for 12 stores sales, brand excellence, conditions, promotions, customers service, merchandising and overall Gross Profit.
- Overseeing all replenishment, and pricing.
- Overall strategy for continued growth.
FIELD CONSULTANT
7-Eleven
Wilmington
04.2020 - 09.2021
- Responsible for 9 stores sales, brand excellence, conditions, promotions, customers service, merchandising and overall Gross Profit.
Director of Sales / Strategic Consultant
BELLVILLE FOOD MANAGEMENT
Vernon
01.2011 - 08.2017
- Partnered with many small companies for break into the grocery retail/distributor industry.
- Partners with emerging retail brands in the food, beverage, and grocery space to develop and execute sales programs, growth initiatives, and go-to-market strategies.
East Coast Regional Sales Manager
GRAFTON VILLAGE CHEESE COMPANY
Grafton
01.2008 - 01.2011
- Managed relationships with over 30 regional distributors, handling key sales and marketing programs for major chain accounts.
- Responsible for 60% of the company’s $10M annual revenue, consistently driving 40% year-over-year growth.
General Manager
RIVER BEND MARKET
Townsend
01.2006 - 01.2007
- Supervised a staff and provided operational oversight across all business functions for an independent specialty supermarket.
- Maintained full P&L responsibility covering labor, merchandising, and advertising costs.
Chain Manager / Beer Portfolio Manager
HOUSEN & CLARKE DISTRIBUTORS
Keene
01.2004 - 01.2006
- Managed a portfolio of chain store accounts for a New England beverage distributor with assigned territory spanning Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts.
- Directed sales, marketing, and advertising programs for the beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverage categories.
Category Manager – Wine, Beer & Spirits
PRICE CHOPPER
Schenectady
01.2000 - 01.2004
- Oversaw sales, merchandising, advertising, and financial performance for the beer, wine, spirits, and tobacco categories – representing $90M in annual revenue from assigned stores across New York, Vermont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Connecticut.
Education
Training & Development in Sales & Merchandising, Personnel Management, Goal Attainment & Brand Management
N/a
Skills
- Sales and marketing strategy
- Brand and product management
- Distributor relationships
- Strategic partnerships
- Business development
- Retail distribution
- Territory management
- Team leadership
- Vendor management
- Market analysis
- Pricing strategy
- Sales forecasting
- Supply chain management
- Customer relationship management
- Strategic planning
- Team collaboration
- Effective communication
- Problem solving skills
- Attention to detail
- Merchandising strategies
- Sales target oversight
- Consumer insights analysis
- Performance improvements
- Cost controls and revenue enhancement
Previous Experience
- Penn Traffic / Big Bear Stores, Columbus, OH, Manager of Beer & Fine Wines
- Vons Grocery Company, Arcadia, CA, Store Director
Timeline
CATEGORY MANAGER
Rouses Markets
12.2023 - Current
CATEGORY MANAGER
Cost-U-Less
09.2021 - 12.2023
FIELD CONSULTANT
7-Eleven
04.2020 - 09.2021
Director of Sales / Strategic Consultant
BELLVILLE FOOD MANAGEMENT
01.2011 - 08.2017
East Coast Regional Sales Manager
GRAFTON VILLAGE CHEESE COMPANY
01.2008 - 01.2011
General Manager
RIVER BEND MARKET
01.2006 - 01.2007
Chain Manager / Beer Portfolio Manager
HOUSEN & CLARKE DISTRIBUTORS
01.2004 - 01.2006
Category Manager – Wine, Beer & Spirits
PRICE CHOPPER
01.2000 - 01.2004
Training & Development in Sales & Merchandising, Personnel Management, Goal Attainment & Brand Management
N/a