Keith Sofolo

Sales Management, Wine and Spirits

Hi, my name is Keith Sofolo. Welcome to my profile!

Keith Sofolo's Bio:

Keith Sofolo's Experience:

• Founder/CEO at The Intuition Spirit Group

  November 2014 - Present | Greater Chicagoland Area

  The design and mission statement of the Intuition Spirit Group is to recognize category, demographic,and societal opportunities for product development and innovation within the adult beverage industry. The fluid and experimental nature of today’s consumer represents an opportunity for brand development and we are driven to have labels that are the first to fill these category and societal voids. Our products will have a strong price to quality consumer proposition and employ a distributor engagement plan that rewards our distributor network with high margin, low maintenance items with limited conflicts within their existing portfolio. All brands will have fully intergrated marketing plans including social media platforms and industry standard POS. First brand target launch is 8/1/2015!

• VP of Sales-National Sales Manager at Gemini Vodka

  February 2014 - October 2014 | Chicago

  Gemini Vodka LLC, Columbus OH-Start-up company launching “The Performance Vodka." “Fit for Consumption, Consumption for the Fit” 02/2014-10/2014 National Sales Manager-Vice President Sales • Team lead on all launch activities including supply chain, sales, field work, POS development, distributor engagement strategies • Lead TTB formula approval and COLA process • Development of pricing grids, model profitability, and target profitability at all tiers. • Supply chain development. Costing out dry goods, liquid, inventory levels, and ordering timelines • Development of distributor strategy and priority launch markets • Development of Gemini Distributor Presentation and Marketing deck for prospective distributors • Development of market specific launch strategies and timelines • Development and implementation of Gemini Ways of Working • Finish Gemini Pro-Forma Gemini Vodka-"The Performance Vodka." Launch information and a brand specifics coming soon!!! "Fit for consumption, consumption for the fit!" Gemini Vodka!

• Keith Sofolo-Midwest Region Manager at Independent Distillers

  January 2012 - January 2014 | Chicago Area

  Midwest Region Manager • Opened and launched 8 states first year (IL,IA,WI,SD,ND,MN,MI,NE)including pricing, incentives, target lists, kick-off and key account presentations in first 90 days. • Responsible for key account calls within region for both regional and national chains. • Responsible for distributor sales force brand education and sales training as well as promotional opportunities. • Responsible for trade shows, brand promotion opportunities and implementation. • Responsible for regions revenue contribution and expense management. • Led company on sales versus goals for 1st year including profit contribution. Independent Distillers The Independent Distillers Group (IDG) is headquartered just outside of Melbourne, Australia. Originally founded in 1987 in Auckland, New Zealand, the company today successfully manufactures and distributes alcoholic beverages to domestic and export markets worldwide. IDG has been at the forefront of innovation and development of RTDs in both New Zealand and Australia and owns some of the largest brands in the Asian RTD market. The company's core brands include Twisted Shotz, Vodka Cruiser, Woodstock Bourbon and KGB ICE. Independent Distillers also owns a number of beer, wine and spirits brands that it produces and markets around the world. http://www.independentdistillersusa.com

• VP of Sales-Central/Eastern Region at TY KU LLC

  January 2008 - February 2010 | New York City

  TY KU-Asian Spirits and Wine Company, New York, NY-Startup Company specializing in Asian Spirits, Liqueur and Sake.Volume of 60,000 cases after 2 years. 2008-2010 Eastern-Central Region Vice President • Opened 11 new states in first six months with company. 17 new states first year. • Established all pricing, incentives, target lists, distributor launches and brand promotional activity while staying within budgetary guidelines and appropriate ROI’s. • Ongoing promotional activity in key markets included Tao (NYC), Epic and Karma (Minneapolis), Underground and Rockit Ranch (Chicago), MGM Grand, Kingdom and Shadow Bar (Detroit), Not Your Average Joe’s (Boston) to name a few. Activity included permanent core cocktails. • Responsible for all Regional and National Account calls within region. Successfully closed Kroger (OH, MI, KY), Super Eagle (OH, KY), Kappy’s and Yankee’s (MA), Crush and Astor (NYC), Binny’s (IL), Woodman’s (IL, WI) Meijers • Managed largest distributor network within company. Depletions of 21,000 cases first year and 27,500 second year. • Responsible for 7 direct reports and brand education at all levels. • Overall region accounts sold base exceeded 4000 accounts • Completed John Gautner Level One Sake Sommier Course

• Central Region Manager at Gemini Spirits and WIne

  2006 - 2008 | Chicago/Rockford IL

  GEMINI SPIRITS AND WINE-SAZERAC, New Orleans, LA-Privately held 60 year old company specializing in a wide range of products including spirits and wine. 2006-12/2008 Central U.S. Manager • Managed day to day operations of a 16 state region. Responsibilities included all pricing, promotional activity, execution of brand standards, region profit and achievement of depletion goals. • Responsible for all distributor work-withs, brand education, target list development and execution. • Overall region brand KPI’s were up 6% first year and 4% second year with no erosion of overall gross profit or additional discounting. • Responsible for region key account calls and gaining distribution of several brands into regional national accounts including Cachaca 51 and Forty Creek (Binny’s, Hy-Vee, 21st Amendment) Responsible for Cachaca 51 being used in house Caipirhinha for Texas de Brazil (Chicago).

• WIrtz Beverage-Director of Sales-Off Premise-Chicago, G.S.M.-Outstate at Wirtz Beverage-Chicago

  1999 - 2006 | Chicago-Rockford IL

  WIRTZ BEVERAGE, LLP, Wood Dale, IL-Illinois largest wholesaler of spirits and fine wine with over $700 Million in annual sales. 1999-2006 Director of Sales Chicago-Spectrum Division General Market Supplier responsibility includes Allied Domecq Wine and Spirits, Kobrand, The Wine Group, Ketel One, Sidney Frank Importing, and Remy-Cointreau • Manage and lead all aspects of the Sales Function for the Spectrum Division: sales, legal, financial, analyzation and programming. • Accountable for $110 Million in sales, the largest division within company. Increased overall GP by 2% without loss of volume. • Deliver volume and profit growth objectives on an annual, monthly, customer and brand basis • Train, coach and manage over 45 direct and indirect reports to deliver maximum impact in the marketplace. • Create and deploy long term strategic vision with company’s suppliers. WIRTZ BEVERAGE, LLP, Rockford, IL General Sales Manager On and Off Premise • Increased Wirtz Beverage gross sales by $2M in three years while increasing gross profit by 3% • Wrote, tracked and executed Allied Domecq brand initiatives; thereby winning Canadian Club Distributor of the year contest in 2000 • Accountable for spotting and reversing negative brand trends through explicit programming and execution of programs as well as business analysis. • Significantly enhanced performance of sales force through facilitation of ongoing sales training courses

• District Manager/Sales Person at Romano Brothers-Chicago

  1988 - 1999 | Chicago

  ROMANO BROTHERS BEVERAGE CO., Chicago, IL 1988-1999 District Sales Manager/Salesman-Chain Division • Responsible for the recruitment, day-to-day management and sales development of 7 salespeople and 1 merchandiser • Increased company sales volume by $6,000,000 and gross profit by 2% through restructuring existing sales territories and hiring 5 additional sales people • Led competitors in ad support attainment by having superior headquarter sales presentations and business reviews • Increased market by establishing minimum brand standards and display guidelines for key brands. • Promoted to D.M After 3 years in multiple territories. • Won numerous sales awards and incentives based on new distribution and increase of business.

Keith Sofolo's Education:

• Sauk College

  1982 – 1984

Keith Sofolo's Interests & Activities: