Steve Heller

Experience

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  Jim Beam Brands

  Aug 1993 - Jan 1994

  Merchandising Manager Southern California

  (August 1993-Promoted February 1994) • Managed distributor merchandising teams and activity in chain and general market for Southern Wine and Spirits.

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  Jim Beam Brands

  Feb 1994 - Oct 1996

  Area Manager Louisiana-On Premise Manager New Orleans

  Promoted October, 1996)• Worked closely with State Manager and Distributor Sales to plan, communicate and execute yearly objectives. Achieved gross profit objectives every year.

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  Future Brands LLC-Beam Global Spirits and WIne

  Oct 1996 - Jan 2006

  State Manager Nevada

  (October, 1996 – promoted January, 2006)• Proactive and interactive in managing the company business plan for Nevada. Exceeded company profitability and activation every year through Southern Wine and Spirits and Wirtz Beverage.• Planned and influenced yearly tactical and strategic plans with distributor management resulting in 100%+ achievement of Key Performance Indicators and Profitability every year.• Contributed on average depletion gross profit from $6M to $10M and volume increases of an average of 3-5% every year.• Processed distributor billings, chargebacks, supports and all spending. Managed Point of Sale Budget of $100K Managed Local Marketing Funds Budget of $450K-$1.5M per year exceeding expectations without deficit.• Utilized channel specific expertise through market analysis to target Distribution, Line Extensions and New Product Launches. Executed objectives at the street level and exceeded goals every year by an average of 10-20%.• Cultivated key account relationships and developed business partners on a multitude of brand building programs by planning and presenting detailed promotional opportunities and market plans.• Significantly added profit to the bottom line by initiating pricing standards and taking price increases where competitive set allowed. Developing pricing strategy that maximized company profit.• Conducted monthly, quarterly and yearly Business Planning Meetings to assess and monitor programming objectives; review program performance, pricing and market trends.• Highly successful in discovering growth opportunities in the market which significantly increased brand visibility and volume on average 15% each year. Show less

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  Beam Suntory

  Jan 2006 - Oct 2009

  Director West Region Sales Excellence and Training

  BEAM GLOBAL SPIRITS AND WINES-FUTURE BRANDS LLC-Deerfield, ILManufacturer, marketer of distilled spirits including Jim Beam, Courvoisier, Maker’s Mark, Sauza (August 1993-October 2009) SALES EXCELLENCE & TRAINING-6 States (January 2006 – October 2009)• Promoted by Beam Global Executive Committee as one of the region’s top performing State Managers to develop Sales Excellence for Beam Sales Managers in CA. NV. AZ. CO. HI. NM. • Developed and introduced a highly successful platform for communicating and influencing distributor personnel in tactical and strategic planning. Through one on one interaction shared best practice in Pricing, Annual Operating Plans, Accountability, Program Development and Reviews, Market and Channel Analysis and Communications. • Designed and developed Brand Education, Fact Based Selling, Coaching, Leadership and Team Building utilizing a common way of working. Achieved Regional profitability every year. Show less

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  Whyte & Mackay

  Feb 2010 - Jan 2011

  West Region Director

  • Planned and implemented Whyte and MacKay’s re-introduction into Colorado, Illinois, Nevada, California, Oregon and Washington. Managed three market managers in Illinois and California. • Re-introduced expanded line of The Dalmore and Isle of Jura Whisky portfolio into Nevada, California, Colorado and Illinois working through SWS. Worked closely with Distributor Field Trade Market Managers to target channel specific distribution and support which increased presence On Premise over 300% and Off Premise 100%. Conducted sales presentations, tastings and seminars to Sales, Consumers, and Channel Specific Key Accounts including Lee’s Discount Liquors, Bellagio, Wynn/Encore, The Venetian, Mandalay Bay, Luxor and MGM. Show less

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  Maurice Cooper et Cie

  Sept 2012 - Dec 2013

  State Manager

  Managing Portfolio and Brand Building for Domaine de Canton, and Sweet Revenge Liqueur in Nevada

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  None - in transitional stage!

  Jun 2014 - now

  Retired