Al Romero

Falls Church, VA 22042-1403 C: 703.639.7357, H: 703.208.1122, E: alcromero@gmail.com SUMMARY STATEMENT Experienced, motivated specialty food buyer brings business intelligence, procurement merchandise management knowledge and supplier negotiating skills to an innovative, creative, team-oriented organization. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE The Gracious Gourmet, Bridgewater, CT Director of Sales and New Business Development, May 2011 to current Contribute to annual sales growth from $ 398k (2010) to $ 800k (2011). Revive, develop and manage relationships with retail accounts, distributors and export companies. Research and prospect new account opportunities through the web, trade periodicals and referrals. Co-manage inventory levels to ensure strong position for order processing. Run monthly financial data with primary distributors to determine sales strength and capabilities. Promote products with retailer support through sampling and demos, associate training and social media. Marvelous Market/Thompson Hospitality, Herndon, VA Director of Purchasing, March 2010 to March 2011 Purchasing Consultant, December 2009 March 2010 Recipient: Thompson Hospitalitys 2010 Retailer of the Year. Managed and sourced product assortment of food service and shelf-stable product for 7 corporate and 4 franchise locations in the Washington, DC Metro area ($6.2m in sales). Co-directed store operations, including management schedules and transitions, manager training and evaluations, budget development & margin and inventory control (physical inventory, financial audits). Reviewed and measured weekly/monthly/annual budgets to achieve a +15% sales increase. Analyzed financial data to determine measurable product performance and strategies for future needs. Developed Marvelous Weekly Promotional Specials and negotiated with suppliers for support on calendar promotions, cost reductions and product demonstrations. Partnered with Marketing to create catering menus, seasonal brochures and fliers, and to establish social media text and audiences, while keeping well-informed on market indicators and new product choices. Created Wine program (two locations) and Beverage program (11 locations) resulting in +29% and +32% sales increase, respectively. Negotiated/transitioned new Coffee Bar and Prepared Foods programs, realizing +46% and +12% sales increase, respectively. WineNation, Potomac, MD Head of Gourmet Food Purchasing - Consultant, July 2009 to May 2010 Determined product mix of specialty foods, beverages and wine accessories, within established margin requirements, for store opening, July 2010. Established core cost structure of baseline performance, product introduction and quarterly promotions. Teamed with suppliers for support with cost reductions, product demonstrations and giveaways. Defined measures for inventory control to reduce shrink opportunities, including techniques of customer service, quarterly product/price review and random invoice audits.

Al Romero
C: 703.639.7357, H: 703.208.1122, E: alcromero@gmail.com Balduccis - Food Lovers Market/Sutton Place Gourmet, Bethesda, MD Merchant, Grocery & Candy, April 2006 to June 2009 Buyer, Candy/Coffee/Tea/Caf, February 1998 to September 2004 Managed product assortment for Grocery, Candy, Housewares and Body Care categories ($20m in sales) for 10 stores in the Mid-Atlantic and New England region. Researched and negotiated new/current vendor contracts, including promotional support, product orientation, import contracts and guaranteed purchases; analyzing supplier financials to determine ongoing opportunities. Developed and implemented Private Label programs across several department categories, working with suppliers to establish requirements, design, flavor profiles and cost formation. Implemented international promotional programs with trade commissions and Embassies. Executed annual Gift Basket program, selecting products for theme-based baskets, negotiated supplier cost structures, coordinated vendor deliveries and store distribution. Administered all aspects of the Candy, Coffee/Tea and Caf purchases and merchandising in 16 stores in the Mid-Atlantic and New England region. Directed and trained retail staff on product merchandising, promotions, customer relations, and inventory control through multiple schematic layouts for store product maintenance. Total Wine & More, Potomac, MD Category Manager, September 2004 to April 2006 Managed multiple food and wine suppliers and created purchase orders based on weekly sales, current marketing ads and merchandising plans. Developed store communication system for new food programs and directed merchandising standards for 40 stores with annual sales over $300m. Created and continued to manage test programs for the food department and educated the store personnel with product knowledge. Educated the Merchandise Management Team and new associates on product knowledge and coordinated wine promotions with the Store Education Team. Revised and established new cost strategies and quarterly retail strategies. RELATED EXPERIENCE Broad knowledge of: QuickBooks Premier Manufacturing & Wholesale Edition 2009, Microsoft Office Suite and Windows 2007, MICROS POS Systems, Infogenesis POS Systems, TOMAX Retail.net Data and Ordering System, and RGIS Inventory Control National Association for the Specialty Food Trade Fancy Food Show (New York, San Francisco), Buyers Circle/Key Buyer Program, 1998 to present California Wine Education Study Week, Team Leader, 2005 Guiding Principles Certification, 2005 Sutton Place Gourmet Management Training Certification, 1999 EDUCATION Hampden-Sydney College, Hampden-Sydney, VA Bachelor of Arts in Political Science/Spanish