Simon Whitehead6 Eckersley Close, Blackburn, Lancs., BB2 4FA

Tel: 01254698500 Mobile: 07780604396

Email: simon99whitehead@btinternet.com

Sales Manager with a wealth of experience demonstrated generating multimillion £ annual sales and delivering top tier account management services within the FMCG sector. Equipped with the skills to significantly impact the business and sustain competitive edge by using extensive knowledge of the following: robust and market leading sales strategies; commercial acumen; creativity; operational sales; sales forecasting; strategic change management; competitor analysis; process enhancement; branded and own label products; stakeholder engagement; collaborative sales. Skilled at orchestrating resources effectively and developing opportunities to consistently achieve or exceed targets, achieving full buy-in from business stakeholders. Currently seeking a challenging and career-enhancing opportunity in an organisation that requires a dynamic and objective driven individual.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS Developed Spar account and positioned Allied Bakeries as the leading supplier of plant bread to

Spar. Overtraded with Spar to circa 50% of total supply with market share of 23%. Negotiated exclusive supply in company owned stores with 1 Regional Distribution Centre; secured sole supplier status for 10 major SKUs delisting Warburton's in another RDC.

Managed launch of wraps into Channels Division in 2013 at Allied Bakeries. Established project team; liaised with marketing, demand planning and customer services; launched 2 variants into trade in May 2013. 50 stockists selling 15000+ pks per week.

Delivered record growth volume in 2007 at Patak’s Breads Ltd., securing 12% topline growth against 5% market growth.

Negotiated initial 3-year exclusivity deal with Sainsbury’s whilst working for Patak’s Breads Ltd., sole supplier of fresh Indian breads onto bakery fixture. Extended deal twice further for 3 years and 2 years respectively.

Won the WM Morrison's business from Pride Valley Foods at a value of £2m as Business Development Manager at Patak’s Breads Ltd.

Launched Patak branded naans onto Waitrose bread fixture, (only retailer to list branded naan on bakery section). Identified German distributor and launched Patak’s Naans into Germany, initially through Aldi-Sud.

EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE Mid April 2015 to Mid October 2015. 6 months off, caring for my Wife post knee

replacement surgeryInterim National Account Manager, Simpson’s Ready Foods Oct 2014 - Jan 2015

Selected by the ex-Managing Director of Patak’s to provide support on an interim basis for sales management. Responsible for managing a portfolio of key accounts (including Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose).

Secured new listings of 2 Extra Special products in Asda and 5 Simpson brand Canned Sponges.

Implemented tender for new business won for canned meat with Morrisons. Won new business with Budgens on 3 SKUs of canned sponge puddings. Oversaw product improvement of sponge pots in Sainsbury’s. Wrote the 2015 sales budget (including volume, promotional spend, marketing and expenses). Prepared 13 week rolling forecast, with weekly updates to assist and enhance the production

planning process.

Customer Manager, Allied Bakeries, Channels Division (Part of ABF) Feb 2011 - Mar 2014 Selected for this position to define and deliver strategy to support growth of Spar account, £11m

per annum. Liaised with Regional Distribution Centres (RDCs). Formulated strategic promotional plans and cost analysis; prepared and presented customer budgets and forecasts. Operated a JBP with the largest RDC.

Prepared promotional proposals; submitted to internal Commercial Finance for sign-off prior to customer presentation/negotiation.

Proposed allocations and upsells, arranging sale or return on promotional lines and allocations. Wrote briefing documents for Field Sales Team to implement in Spar.

Prepared weekly demand planning forecasting sessions; Responsible for P&L and route to market

Continued…

Patak’s Breads Ltd. (Associated British Foods from 2007) Jul 2001 - Feb 2011 Commercial Controller Sep 2007 - Feb 2011

Ensured the delivery of sales revenue targets during period of significant change; reported to Directors of Speedibake Ltd. from 2007 to 2009 and then Sales Director of Allied Bakeries (part of the Associated British Foods group) from 2009 to 2011.

Retained control of Sainsbury’s account (£3m turnover) and in addition acquired the Spar account. Controlled the naan portfolio and supported account managers working on Naan business. Oversaw launch of naans onto bakery fixture through Allied’s sales teams.

Responsible for the overall sales of the business £10m, with personal control of £6m, with Sainsbury’s the biggest account at £3m. P&L responsibility for Sainsbury account.

Responsible for new product development of range (all private label), including range review planning, bringing new naan variants to the market etc.

Business Development Controller, Breads, UK & Europe (Patak’s Foods Ltd) 2005 - 2007 Reported into UK Sales Director with P&L responsibility for retail breads business (t/o £6m).

Managed 3 accounts with commercial responsibility for account portfolio leading team of Business Development Managers. Participated in 5-year planning, annual business planning, annual budgeting and annual brand plan processes.

Defined strategy to enable achievement of corporate vision to develop brand into leading Indian food supplier worldwide. Following acquisition of Patak’s chilled, relinquished control of frozen and assumed responsibility for European naans.

Controlled biggest and most profitable account, Sainsbury's and negotiated and agreed extension to 3-year exclusivity deal; won a further 2 further extensions of the contract.

Launched Patak branded naans into Waitrose, only retailer to list brand in bakery section. Participated in implementing more sophisticated forecasting system by providing greater

accuracy; reduced stockholding and improved service levels.

Business Development Controller, Breads & Frozen 2002 - 2005 Promoted to this position with commercial responsibility for Patak’s frozen range; achieved

record profit on frozen of £1m+ in 2004 on turnover of £10m. Negotiated unique three-year exclusivity deal in 2005 with Sainsbury’s after 3 single year deals

protecting business from competitive approaches. Sainsbury represented 60% of retail business and 28% of total site’s turnover. Managed coached and developed team of 2.

Business Development Manager, Breads 2001 - 2002 Headhunted to this position by Kirit Pathak, Chairman and Chief Executive and David Page,

Group Managing Director following acquisition of Abel Breads production facility in Cumbernauld; ensured operational and financial success of retail commercial operation.

Secured first exclusivity deal, offered to Patak’s by Sainsbury's; won Wm Morrison’s business from Pride Valley Foods (value £2m) and won Costco naan business.

General Sales Manager, Pride Valley Foods Ltd. 1997 - 2001 Increased turnover from £6m to £18m over 4 ½ years, managing Tesco, Marks & Spencer,

Morrison's and Somerfield accounts. Grew Tesco business alone from £1m to £6m. Led, motivated and developed team of 3 account managers, marketing and NPD functions.

Won the Marks and Spencer Pitta bread business (value £1.5m) and Morrison's naan and Pitta business (value £2m).

QUALIFICATIONS3 GCE A-Levels and 10 GCE O-Levels

INTERESTSWalking, reading, eating out and family.

REFERENCES AVAILABLE ON REQUEST