Jason Kacures

Experience

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  Hockey Zone Minnesota

  Jan 2001 - Jan 2007

  Goalie Specialist/Assistant Manager

  Managed all goaltender equipment sales and orders.Scheduled appointments for individual goaltender fittings and provided goaltending advice.Performed repairs of all equipment, including goaltenders equipment.Managed inventory, conducted sales and returns, and trained new employees. Designed sales floor display areas for goaltender and player equipment.

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  Sande Hockey

  Oct 2006 - Mar 2008

  North American Sales Manager

  • Increased sales of Sande Hockey equipment in Minnesota by 60% and Company wide by 35% in 2007. • Created team and retail programs, sponsorships, pricing, catalogues, and promotional tools.• Managed Sande Hockey presence at all industry trade shows: recruited sales force, developed creative product displays, and promoted company to prospective customers.• Negotiated and secured company’s first league agreements with NOJHL, MNJHL, LIJHL.• Established partnerships with the Schwan’s Super Rink, Hockey Central, MSBN and pointstreak.com.• Assisted in design of new equipment and product development. Show less

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  Sande Hockey, Masked Marvel Helmets/Edge ProTech, Stomp Manufacturing, Hockey Hands, Jay Bird Tap

  Oct 2006 - Jan 2008

  Sales Representative

  Created a sales base with all retailers in Minnesota, Dakota's, Wisconsin, and Iowa.Presented new products to retailers, placed orders, promoted products to regional teams.

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  Hockey Central

  Aug 2008 - Jan 2011

  General Manager Hockey Central

  Drive profitable sales growth by creating a unique and compelling customer experience.• Motivate and develop team by providing intent and content, while empowering them to make decisions.• Design inspiring store layouts with optimal sightlines and strategic placement of high margin products.• Drive sales and product awareness by partnering with vendors to develop impactful product displays with continuity and consistency throughout the store.• Plan and direct buying, shipping, and receiving, through effective budget and inventory management.• Keep pulse on hockey industry – sales performance, new product launches, team initiatives, etc.• Build partnerships with equipment sales representatives, vendors, teams, and associations. Show less

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  Miken Sports

  Feb 2011 - Nov 2012

  Category Manager Miken Hockey

  • Lead Hockey Research & Development department in the design of composite hockey sticks. • Design and develop innovative features for Hockey Gloves, Hockey Pants, and all other protective items, along with bags and apparel.• Expanding product offering to include greater diversity in the stick line.• Established on ice stick testing regimen.• Brought to market new stick line, gloves, and bags.• Team with overseas vendors to establish key items for a complete hockey line.• Partner with Pro Services Representative to establish Pro Players orders, act as the go to person for manufacturing of Pro products along with contacting agents, players and equipment managers myself.• Establish new company procedures and best practices.• Contribute to development of Sales Programs.• Lead retail sales meetings and partner with Sales team by providing product knowledge and selling points.• Assist in forecasting and purchasing of product line. • Assist in setup and design layout for trade show booths along with managing booth during show hours.• Assist in development of particular marketing strategies.• Establish relationships with Minor Teams/Leagues, Junior Teams/Leagues, and youth associations and programs.• Provide insight to help secure new international distributors along with providing assistance to current distributors.• Increased Twitter following by well over 100% in a matter of days• Handled Sales Territories of Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Maine, New Hampshire, West Virginia• Secured and improved relationships with the ACHA as official supplier and Modsquadhockey.com as advertising partner Show less

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  Hockey Central

  Mar 2013 - Dec 2015

  General Manager

  Drive profitable sales growth by creating a unique and compelling customer experience.• Motivate and develop team by providing intent and content, while empowering them to make decisions.• Design inspiring store layouts with optimal sightlines and strategic placement of high margin products.• Drive sales and product awareness by partnering with vendors to develop impactful product displays with continuity and consistency throughout the store.• Plan and direct buying, shipping, and receiving, through effective budget and inventory management.• Keep pulse on hockey industry – sales performance, new product launches, team initiatives, etc.• Build partnerships with equipment sales representatives, vendors, teams, and associations. Show less

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  STX Hockey

  Dec 2013 - Feb 2014

  Product Consultant

  • Created in-field product testing program for new to market hockey stick line.• Provided industry insight through extensive experience and consumer feedback.• Partnered closely with engineering team to implement product improvements, which contributed to the final product meeting customer expectations and on-time product launch.

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  True Temper Sports (True Hockey)

  Jan 2016 - Jan 2019

  Product/Marketing Manager

  -Establishing market requirements for current and future hockey protective and accessory products by conducting market research as well as on-going visits to customers and non-customers. -Execute the entire product line life cycle from strategic planning to tactical activities for hockey protective and accessory product. -Establish and manage supplier relationships for protective and accessory product lines and establishing first contact. -Developed and brought to market 2017 Hockey Pant Line, Accessories line and Hockey Bag line.-Developed and bringing to market 2018 Hockey Glove line, Hockey Pant line, Accessories and Bag line-Complete purchase order submission, general follow up to address order related questions, facilitating logistics of orders when ready to ship, working through product quality concerns, etc. -Assisting with implementation of a company-wide go-to-market plan, working with all departments to execute. -Assist with the execution of various marketing projects including but not limited to: web content updates, point of sale installation execution, field promotions such as special events and tradeshow planning and organizing and execution.-Liaison between Marketing Manager and vendors helping coordinate and manage execution of projects for marketing purposes-Prepare marketing reports by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing sales data. -Work closely with sales, marketing and engineering, to establish best go to market products and development characteristics-Organize and conduct Product Knowledge Seminars with retail partners across North America. Show less

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  Performance Training Program (PTP) Minnesota Mist

  Mar 2019 - now

  President/Managing Director and Head Coach

  • Established Program from its inception• Develop schedule by partnering with arena management• Conduct day of planning for all on ice sessions and dry-land training• Manage all players and coaches to improve development of participants• Research new ways to better develop players• Create and Manage budget to provide the best experience for the players involved

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  Blaine Youth Hockey Association

  Apr 2019 - now

  Board Member

  Boys Traveling Director• Conduct interviews for coaching staff hires• Search and hire out side association evaluators for the tryout process• Evaluate passed policy and procedures for efficiencies and effectiveness• Develop new processes for player evaluation and development• Assessed day to day needs of players, parents and coaches in the association• Researched new ways to help the program develop players from new technologies, trends and successes of other programs• Conduct meetings with other board members, parents and players to improve communications with memberships• Manage planning for association events, tryouts and coaches meetings• Oversee Tournament Director, 3 coordinators and all coaches for 15 teams. Along with coaching 2 teams • Develop and manage a budget for all boys traveling specific details Show less

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  The Hockey Lab

  Jan 2021 - now

  Director of Hockey Operations

  -Manage operational needs for programs and facility -Procure new leads for memberships

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  Point In-Store Marketing Inc

  Jan 2021 - Sept 2021

  USA Director of Accounts

  -Procure new partnerships with brands for retail displays- Manage accounts to maintain projects on time and correct delivery -Utilize knowledge to present options for best point of purchase displays-Partner with designers and producers to bring ideas to life

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  Akervall Technologies, Inc.

  Feb 2022 - Dec 2022

  New Business Account Manager

  • Increase sales with new business outreach to multiple channels• Secure new leads for potential teams and dealers.• Manage accounts to maintain business performance to grow business with new accounts• Utilize knowledge to present options products for market or team.• Partner with cross-functional team for Marketing and sales initiatives.

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  Absolute Filth Wax LLC

  Apr 2023 - now

  Sales Manager

  • Introduced product line to the European Market through partnership with Hockey Monkey Europe (one of largest dealers in Europe)• Negotiate directly with large scale key accounts to provide best experience to grow Absolute Filth exponentially • Establish pricing and programs to achieve optimal company margins while keeping dealer interests in mind• Building experienced sales team to establish brand with dealer base in Sporting Good Industry• Provide industry insight to owners for potential opportunities to establish brand in market Show less