Gary McDonald

Experience

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  Craig Group

  Aug 2006 - Jan 2009

  £110M global shipping and energy services company; one of Scotland’s top 100 companies and top 20 offshore service providers.Category Buyer – Grocery, Frozen Foods and Chilled FoodsAs a key member of the commercial buying function, was responsible for product range in 3 key categories in supply to the essential oil and gas support services (Oil Rigs and Vessels)• Increased product margins in order to meet business objectives• Conducted full review of product ranges within each category – sales increased and stock holding reduced• Key part in winning tender process of contract with Aramark • Full responsibility of pricing and supplier negotiations• Exceeded margin expectations annually through supplier negotiations and introducing supplier Retro discounts• Creation and implementation of new marketing tools both internal and external in order to increase sales and average order values. Show less

  • Commercial Buyer

    Feb 2007 - Jan 2009

  • IT Project Coordinator

    Aug 2006 - Feb 2007
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  Strachans

  Jan 2009 - Apr 2009

  Commercial Coordinator

  Takeover of Craig Group and continuation of role under new company, Strachans.Category Buyer – Grocery, Frozen Foods and Chilled FoodsAs a key member of the commercial buying function, was responsible for product range in 3 key categories in supply to the essential oil and gas support services (Oil Rigs and Vessels)• Increased product margins in order to meet business objectives• Conducted full review of product ranges within each category – sales increased and stock holding reduced• Key part in winning tender process of contract with Aramark • Full responsibility of pricing and supplier negotiations• Exceeded margin expectations annually through supplier negotiations and introducing supplier Retro discounts• Creation and implementation of new marketing tools both internal and external in order to increase sales and average order values. Show less

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  Donald Russell Ltd

  Apr 2009 - Dec 2016

  Head of Marketing with the UK's largest Mail Order and Online Independent Food Retailer (Butchery and Gourmet Food). Holder of Royal Warrant (Supplier to HRH Queen). Responsible for full Marketing function and driving direct to consumer sales to meet business targets and objectives. • Devising, Planning and Implementation of full Marketing Communications to 600k customer database in order to meet sales and profitability objectives - 7m mail packs and 30m emails deployed per annum. • Grow customer database through extensive customer acquisition programme – 10-15% increase YOY• Implementation of new customer segmentation and data models to most commercially effectively communicate to customer database and maximise sales potential • Management of product and promotional product range and offer (over 2,000 products)• Control and and management of commercial pricing and product margins • Drive and oversee development of Online Channel • Develop and maintain B2B partnerships with appropriate companies in order to support customer acquisition programme• Budgetary control of marketing budget. Negotiated savings of 20% on mailing costs (Print, fulfilment and postage) • Guardian of brand and representation of Donald Russell brand, and use of prestigious of Royal Warrant (symbol of supply to HM Queen)• Ambassador - Represent company and conduct public speaking at conferences and public events including audiences of up to 1,000 people. Show less

  • Head of Marketing

    Apr 2010 - Dec 2016

  • Marketing Analyst/Head of Online

    Apr 2009 - Apr 2010
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  Scotland Food & Drink

  Jan 2017 - Jul 2023

  Market Development Manager

  Responsible for Scotland Food & Drink activities, engagement and membership in the NE of Scotland (Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Moray) as part of the Business Development Team. Work closely with companies to connect in to national programmes and activities across all business functions with particular focus on market development and business capability building.

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  Opportunity North East Limited

  Jan 2017 - now

  Working as part of the Food, Drink and Agriculture team at Opportunity North East (ONE), developing and supporting partnership workings with key partners to create opportunities and connect businesses to new routes to market in Scotland, UK (particularly London/SE), and International Export Markets. Design and delivery of capability building programmes in Export and UK markets, Ecommerce programme development, and Online Marketplace development (Amazon etc).Contributing member and ONE Representative of Scotland Food & Drink Export Partnership Board and Scotland Food & Drink UK Market Activation Board.Supporting also in the development of ONE Seedpod, £27 million investment in the food and drink industry to create an innovation hub for manufacturing and production in north east Scotland that will deliver regional and national growth ambitions. Work on business development and supporting ONE Seedpod team in activities leading up to launch in 2025. Show less

  • Senior Market Development Manager

    Jul 2023 - now

  • Market Development Manager

    Jan 2017 - Jul 2023