DATA TELLS THE STORY... PASSIONATE ABOUT HARNESSING DATA INTO ACTIONABLE STRATEGIES.
Summary
Sales and planning mantra: Make big BIGGER!
When I am not working, you will find me hiking the mountains, volcanos, and National Parks.
I enjoyed working with buying, planning, and cross-functional teams and benefited from a great career driving strategic sales at a wonderful privately owned company, Jockey International, a global innovator and marketer of quality apparel. During my career, I worked remotely from a home-based office. Managed Consumer Product Goods (CPG) sales planning and sales forecasting for the #1 and #2 sales volume omni-channel stores and eCommerce accounts.
Thank you to all my colleagues and customers?.
HOW CAN I HELP YOU? HOW CAN I HELP YOUR COMPANY?
I ENJOY and I am an EXPERT at DRIVING STRATEGIC SALES GROWTH: ? Actionable analysis of sales trends. ? Articulating risks/opportunities to plan. ? Developing actionable sales and forecast plans. ? Identifying white space opportunities. ? Interpreting the marketplace and market trends. ? Leading customer and cross-functional team meetings.
Let's have a conversation about the future and how I may be able to help you.
Timeline
Hiked to the top of Half Dome in Yosemite
First time to the top. Loved it. Hiked to the top of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park, CA.
Completed First Marathon 26.1 Miles
My first full marathon 26.1 miles.
Many half marathons 13.1 miles every year. 13.1 seems to be my enjoyable limit.
Hiked to the top of Half Dome in Yosemite
Second time with my 3 nephews. Hiked to the top of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park, CA.
Hiked to John Muir Camp on Mt. Rainier in WA
After breaking my leg exactly 3 months before the hike date I had to overcome pain and rehabilitate my leg.
Broke my leg water Skiing backwards on trick skis
-
Account Sales Manager / Planning Sales Manager, Jockey International, Inc.
Responsible for Consumer Product Goods (CPG) sales and sales planning for independent and regional accounts.
Worked externally from a home-based office. Weekly traveled to customer headquarters to lead sales/planning strategic meetings.
Successfully advanced career to accounts with greater responsibility and sales volume.
• Identified the market need for a Strategic Sales Planner position allowing the opportunity to write own job description leading to career progression.
• Forecasted sales, shipments, and inventory of new and existing products driving year over year sales growth.
-
Sales Planning Manager: Kohl's Account, Jockey International, Inc.
Managed Consumer Product Goods (CPG) sales planning and sales forecasting for the #1 sales volume omni-channel store and eCommerce account.
Worked remotely from a home-based office. Traveled to customer headquarters weekly to lead sales/planning strategic meetings.
Creative, analytical, and trusted Consumer Product Goods (CPG) sales strategist that listens to the customer and achieves sales goals, while promoting long-term relationships based on win-win opportunities.
Expert at the actionable analysis of sales and eCommerce trends, interpreting the marketplace, determining market potential, and identifying competitive advantages.
Presented and secured strategic Go-To-Market plan direction by navigating between high-level top-down forecasting and detailed account-level bottoms-up forecasts.
-
Sales Planning Manager: TARGET Account, Jockey International, Inc.
Managed Consumer Product Goods (CPG) sales planning and sales forecasting for the #2 sales volume omni-channel store and eCommerce account.
Worked remotely from a home-based office. During the COVID-19 Pandemic led video strategic meetings.
Drove eCommerce and brick-and-mortar sales growth by reviewing high level and detailed sales trends.
Utilized analytics to clearly articulate risks/opportunities and identified white space for new revenue.
Delivered sales plan results by collaborating and solidifying solutions utilizing cross-functional partnerships.
-
Consultant on as needed basis, ADVANCED OPTICS, INC.
A family-owned manufacturer and global marketer of precision optical mirrors, windows, and components.
Consultant on business and eCommerce sales drivers.
Education Highlights
Augsburg University
Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree, Major: Business Administration, Specialized in M.I.S.
Testimonials from linkedin customers & colleagues
Laura Wendt: Licensed Realtor at Shorewest, REALTORS
"..Dedicated to his role...building relationships, driving sales and uncovering opportunities..."
Steven Rockey:Â Co-Owner at Team Happy Investments, LLC and Realtor with RE/MAX Top Realty
"...both a tactical and strategic thinker when it comes to planning and forecasting..."
Michael Freund: Senior Technical Consultant at LNT Infotech
"Mike is a genuine, positive, highly professional partner who delivers growth and profit..."
Kimberly Baehr: Catagory Manager - Men's Underwear and Apparel at Jockey International, Inc.
"...Mike's inputs and insights were always valuable and a huge reason for the growth and success..."
Lauren Takacs: Assistant Merchandiser Men's Apparel at Jockey International, Inc.
"...incredibly helpful, answered any question I had, explained everything thoroughly..."
Jake Calmes: Demand Planner at Jockey International, Inc.
"...Mike made great, personal connections with the buying teams at Target...dedicated advocate..."
Gisela Sosa-Jantz: Sr. Global Supply Chain Planner at Jockey International, Inc.
"...collaborated on solutions, asked the right questions, and kept an open line of communication..."
Leah Steger, MBA Marketing Professional
"...WITH DATA IN HAND HE THEN BUILDS STRONGÂ RECOMMENDATIONS...HAVE PROVEN SUCCESSFUL RESULTS..."
Mark Zion: Strategic Planning Manager at Jockey International, Inc.
"...strong analytical skillS...navigate between the high-level, top-down forecasting...detailed..."
Mary Bryan: Sr. VP of Sales at Intelligent Merchandising, a Revenue Creations Company
"...one of the most driven professionals that I've collaborated with...business builder...vision...
Brandon Egly: Kohl's Planning Manager
"...excellent business partner, owning the forecasting of our replenishment business..."
Hussein Abdullahi: Target Manager of Global Supply
"...amazing partner due to his work ethic, punctuality, strong analytical skills..."
Darius Jackson: Target Director of Men's Basics
"...Mike was a great partner, analytical, and very detail-oriented. Mike was very responsive..."
Interests
SCORE Volunteer Mentors for Small Business
goal: HELP SMALL BUSINESS SUCCEed by sharing my sales & analysis expertise. https://www.score.org/
Skills
ECOMMERCE PROJECT MANAGEMENT
20+
ECOMMERCE PROJECT MANAGEMENT
20+
ECOMMERCE ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT
20+
PRESENTATIONS SKILLS
20+
IDENTIFYING TRENDS
20+
MICROSOFT POWERPOINT
18
MICROSOFT EXCEL
20+
ECOMMERCE STRATGEY
20+
DATA ANALYSIS
20+
INVENTORY MANAGEMENT
20+
ANALYTICAL SKILLS
20+
SALES OPERATIONS
20+
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
20+
SALES MANAGEMENT
20+
STRATEGIC PLANNING
20+
KEY ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT
20+
KEY PERFROMANCE INDICATORS
20+
SALES
20+
BUSINESS ANALYTICS
20+
ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT
20+
BUSINSS ANALYSIS
20+
FORECASTING,
20+
Questions & Answers
What is your greatest Augsburg University accomplishment?
Started an Investment Club for college students and faculty. Organized monthly meetings to educate and execute stock buy/sell decisions. Discovered I enjoy selling call and put options. Lifelong learner on investing.
What is your next adventure after COVID-19 when you can travel again?
Heli-hiking in the Canadian Rocky Mountains!!
Heli-hiking offers you the chance to reach the wildest and highest locations.
An exhilarating helicopter flight will sweep you over some of the most stunning mountain scenery in the world, and then you’ll be dropped off in the alpine, far from any other hikers or sign of civilization, to trek through the wilderness.
What exercise equipment do you recommend?
I use the iFit stationary bike by Nordic Track.
Absolutely love it!
You can exercise with a virtual trainer and travel virtually all over the world.
A great workout experience every time! https://www.nordictrack.com/
What do you do when you are not working?
When I am not working, you will find me hiking the mountains and volcanos of the Pacific North West.
Mount Baker in the North Cascades of Washington state is my favorite place to visit due to its rugged beauty, glaciers, and less traveled hiking trails.
Also, take pleasure in water skiing, cross country skiing, biking, taking care of the yard, vegetable gardening, cooking on my Pitt Boss smoker, and relaxing with close friends and family.
What are you working on right now?
Learning options trading investing : Selling COVERED CALL options. Selling NAKED PUT options. It is thrilling!
Recommend this book to get you started and learning about options trading: Show Me the Money by Ron Groenke.
Written as a story of a retired college professor teaching a lesson one day at a time to an old student/friend.
The concepts are easy to understand and you will be able to immediately execute trades.
What tools do you use in the actionable analysis of data to make informed decisions?
1. My experience. 2. I have the unique ability to see patterns develop. 3. Excel, Pivot Tables. 4. SPS Commerce Supply Chain software. 5. Target Partners Online (POL) / Greenfield web portal. 6. Kohl's K-Link web portal.
Describe your greatest accomplishment.
All my life I dreamed of getting married when I was 25.
Got married to my best friend, Wendy Jane, on my 26th birthday.
That was cutting it close by one day. Perhaps I should be in sales/planning/forecasting!
Who are your main influences?
John Clifton "Jack" Bogle (May 8, 1929 - Jan 16, 2019).
An American investor, business magnate, and philanthropist.
Jack was the founder and CEO of The Vanguard Group and is credited with creating the first index fund. Low cost, simplified, and diversified investing for the average person.
Jack's book: Common Sense on Mutual Funds: New Imperatives for the Intelligent Investor.
Why did you choose your previous profession?
My previous profession chose me. In college, I would put a pair of underwear over my head while practicing my stick/puck handling for hockey.
I developed my sense of touch to "feel" the stick/puck and not use my visual senses.
So selling underwear may have been a byproduct of my hockey days.
fun photos of enjoying the outdoors
Hand in hand with my wife, Wendy, on the John Muir snow fields - Beautiful area! Great to be alive with the ones you love!
On the edge of the world, Half dome - Beautiful area!
On the cables, Half Dome assent - Beautiful area! Great to be alive!
North Cascades National Park entrance in WA state - Beautiful area!
Love to water ski and carve the water
I'm Ski Diving - A definite bucket list necessity
At the edge of the plane before heading into the clouds
Hand in hand with my wife, Wendy, on the John Muir snow fields - Beautiful area! Great to be alive with the ones you love!
On the edge of the world, Half dome - Beautiful area!
On the cables, Half Dome assent - Beautiful area! Great to be alive!
North Cascades National Park entrance in WA state - Beautiful area!
Love to water ski and carve the water
I'm Ski Diving - A definite bucket list necessity
At the edge of the plane before heading into the clouds
Getting ready to Ski Dive
