Northwestern Mutual

-Identify and source potential candidates for finance-related positions through various channels, including online job boards, social media, and professional networks.
-Conduct thorough screenings and interviews to assess candidates' financial skills, qualifications, and cultural fit with client organizations.
-Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, understanding their financial staffing needs and aligning recruitment efforts to meet those requirements.
-Provide regular updates to clients on the status of ongoing searches, presenting well-qualified candidates for their consideration.
-Stay abreast of industry trends, market conditions, and changes in financial regulations to better understand the evolving needs of clients and candidates.
-Conduct comprehensive market research to identify key players, salary benchmarks, and emerging talent in the finance sector.

Financial Recruiter (Leadership Team)

-Assess clients' financial situations, goals, and risk tolerance to develop comprehensive financial plans.
-Provide personalized advice on investment strategies, retirement planning, tax optimization, and other aspects of financial management to help clients achieve their financial objectives.
-Build and manage investment portfolios tailored to clients' individual needs and risk profiles.
-Continuously monitor market trends, economic conditions, and investment performance to make informed recommendations and adjustments to clients' portfolios.
-Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with clients, offering ongoing support and guidance.
-Educate clients on financial products, investment strategies, and market dynamics, ensuring they have a clear understanding of their financial plans and are empowered to make informed decisions.

Financial Representative

Comcast Business

-Executed the complete sales cycle, initiating with prospect and lead generation, and guiding the process through to order completion for a range of telecommunication services, including Business Fiber, Internet, Advanced Digital Voice, and TV services tailored for Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs).
-Applied a customer-centric approach throughout the sales journey, actively listening to client needs, providing tailored solutions, and ensuring seamless transitions from initial contact to finalizing service agreements.
-Collaborated with new businesses to formulate comprehensive telecommunication action plans, emphasizing a strategic approach to address their specific communication needs.
-Conducted in-depth consultations to understand the unique requirements of each business, facilitating the creation of personalized telecommunication solutions that align with their objectives, budget constraints, and growth plans.
-Forged partnerships with small and medium-sized businesses, working collaboratively to optimize their existing telecommunication services.
-Conducted thorough assessments to identify potential challenges and proactively mitigate future issues, fostering a proactive and preventative approach to telecommunication management.
-Prepared businesses for future growth by tailoring telecommunication solutions to scale, ensuring that the services provided align with evolving needs and can seamlessly accommodate increased demands as the businesses expand.

Sr Business Account Executive, SMB

Isenberg School of Management, UMass Amherst

-Effectively manage time and priorities to balance the demands of full-time employment with the rigorous academic requirements of an MBA program.
-Develop strong organizational and time-management skills to meet deadlines, attend classes, and actively participate in coursework while fulfilling professional responsibilities.
-Leverage the MBA program's networking opportunities to build connections with classmates, professors, and industry professionals.
-Apply learnings from the MBA coursework directly to the workplace, contributing to professional growth and bringing real-world insights to the academic environment.
-Integrate theoretical concepts learned in the MBA program into practical applications within the workplace.
-Bring a fresh perspective and innovative ideas to the job, enhancing problem-solving skills and contributing to organizational success through the application of MBA coursework.

MBA Graduate Student

Advantage Solutions: Sales, Marketing, Technology

-Spearheaded the comprehensive collection of retail field data, employing a meticulous approach to gather pertinent information on market trends, consumer behavior, and performance metrics.
-Applied advanced analytical techniques to meticulously analyze the collected data, extracting meaningful insights that served as a foundation for strategic decision-making by the National Conagra Leadership Team.
-Collaborated seamlessly with high-level stakeholders, including the Director, Regional Managers, and the Client Team, fostering an environment of open communication and shared insights.
-Actively participated in collaborative sessions to craft detailed reporting, recapitulation documents, and strategic plans, ensuring a holistic approach that integrated diverse perspectives for well-informed decision-making.
-Leveraged a diverse set of internal and external software tools, showcasing proficiency in conducting both quantitative and qualitative analyses.
-Utilized cutting-edge software solutions to create in-depth reports, combining quantitative metrics with qualitative insights for retail teams, thereby providing a comprehensive understanding of market dynamics and supporting informed decision-making processes.

Sr Business Analyst

Chobani

-Collaborated in the recruitment process by identifying and hiring qualified individuals to establish a high-performing regional retail sales team.
-Executed a comprehensive onboarding strategy to seamlessly integrate new team members into the company culture, ensuring a quick and efficient adaptation to their roles and responsibilities.
-Instituted ongoing development programs to enhance the skills and capabilities of the regional sales team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional growth.
-Demonstrated leadership by consistently guiding both the Retail Sales and Execution teams to achieve top 20% national sales rankings.
-Utilized a metrics-driven approach to assess and improve team performance, emphasizing key performance indicators (KPIs) related to retailer impact.
-Implemented strategies to enhance sales effectiveness, optimize route-to-market approaches, and drive sustainable growth, resulting in consistent recognition among the top-performing teams nationally.
Collaboration with Headquarters Sales Team:
-Forged strong partnerships with the Headquarters Sales team, fostering effective collaboration on strategic initiatives.
-Played a pivotal role in the successful execution of new product innovation rollouts, ensuring seamless integration into the market and driving early adoption.
-Collaborated closely on initiatives aimed at accelerating trial programs, leading to increased velocity sales and overall market share growth, contributing to the overall success of the organization's sales objectives.

Regional Retail Sales & Execution Manager (Boston)

Regional Retail Sales & Execution Manager (New England/Upstate New York/NJ)

-Implemented targeted strategies that resulted in a remarkable 4% increase in market share within the retail grocery chain segment of the Springfield/Hartford Territory.
-Achieved this growth during a period when overall yogurt sales were declining in the area, showcasing a keen understanding of local market dynamics and the ability to drive incremental sales in a challenging environment.
-Achieved a net gain of 9%, demonstrating not only a successful counteraction of declining trends but a substantial positive impact on the company's presence and performance in the designated territory.
-Successfully introduced and sold new products and platforms to existing retail customers, significantly expanding the distribution of the product line.
-This strategic approach not only broadened the company's product portfolio but also resulted in tangible revenue gains, showcasing a proactive and forward-thinking approach to business development.
-Leveraged syndicated data to conduct a thorough analysis of customer behavior and preferences.
-Utilized these insights to optimize product orders for retail customers, aligning the offerings more closely with the demographic and regional needs of each account.
-This data-driven approach not only enhanced customer satisfaction but also streamlined inventory management and contributed to increased overall efficiency in product distribution.
-Led the New England regional team in a comprehensive research and discovery project focused on identifying new products and platforms.
-Positioned the discovery team as the eyes and ears of the company at the ground level, gauging acceptance and preferences for new innovations in the dairy and dairy alternative categories among both clients and end-users.
-The outcomes of this initiative provided critical insights for corporate decision-making, ensuring that new product developments were aligned with market demands and poised for success in the New England region.

Retail Sales & Execution Specialist

Windsor Marketing Group

-Collaborated with cross-functional teams, including IT specialists and relevant stakeholders, to identify areas for improvement and successfully implement software upgrades.
-Ensured that the revitalized software met or exceeded industry standards, enhancing the company's capability to manage inventory and fulfill customer orders promptly and accurately.
-Shared extensive retail expertise with the sales staff, providing valuable insights and knowledge to enhance their understanding of market trends and client needs.
-Conducted training sessions and workshops to keep the sales team abreast of industry developments, fostering a team culture that prioritized continuous learning and improvement.
-Orchestrated seamless coordination between sales and customer service functions for the company's Top Account, encompassing all three banners.
-Ensured a cohesive approach to client management by aligning sales strategies with customer service initiatives, contributing to overall client satisfaction and the success of the company's top-tier account relationships.
-Facilitated effective communication and collaboration among various departments, optimizing the company's ability to meet the unique needs and expectations of its most significant client.

Sales Manager & Major Account Coordinator (Ahold)

C&S Wholesale Grocers

-Devised and implemented meticulous procedures aimed at minimizing the shipment of out-of-specification products to customers.
-Conducted a comprehensive analysis of the existing processes, identifying areas for improvement to enhance product quality and adherence to specifications.
-Through the successful implementation of these procedures, achieved a substantial monthly cost savings of $20,000 in product value, showcasing a commitment to both financial prudence and maintaining high-quality standards.
-Introduced and institutionalized new processes to address stock rotation challenges, mitigate damaged inventory, and boost the sales of salvageable perishable goods.
-Conducted thorough assessments of inventory control systems, identifying inefficiencies and areas susceptible to stock rotation issues.
-Achieved a remarkable over 10% increase in sales of perishable goods deemed salvageable, showcasing a strategic approach to inventory management that not only reduced waste but also increased revenue opportunities.
-Collaborated closely with cross-functional teams, including procurement, sales, inventory control, and operations, to enhance product quality assurance protocols.
-Facilitated open communication channels among these departments, ensuring a cohesive and coordinated effort to maintain and improve product quality standards.
-Implemented measures to monitor and evaluate the entire product lifecycle, from procurement to delivery, demonstrating a commitment to providing customers with consistently high-quality products and fostering a culture of continuous improvement within the organization.

Business Analyst & Perishables Inspector (Multi-Functional)

-Leveraged advanced data management tools to streamline the reporting process, enhancing the accessibility and usability of information for relevant teams and stakeholders.
-Coordinated the seamless transfer of substantial quantities of perishable fresh meat on a daily basis, overseeing the movement of products across multiple warehouse facilities spanning from New York to Florida.
-Updated and optimized processes to ensure the efficient and safe transportation of thousands of pounds of fresh meat, minimizing the risk of spoilage and maintaining product quality standards.
-Collaborated closely with logistics teams, warehouse managers, and transportation partners to implement best practices for the timely and secure transfer of perishable goods, contributing to overall supply chain efficiency.
-Maintained proactive communication with key stakeholders, including buyers, vendors, customers, and warehouses, regarding purchase orders and inventory management.
-Ensured timely and accurate information flow by providing updates on order status, delivery schedules, and inventory levels, fostering a transparent and collaborative relationship with all parties involved in the procurement process.
-Facilitated effective problem resolution by promptly addressing any discrepancies or issues related to purchase orders, inventory discrepancies, or product availability, contributing to overall customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.

Buyer's Assistant (Fresh Perishables)

Stop & Shop

-Focused on the implementation and adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (S.O.P.'s) for food preparation and food safety, instilling a culture of compliance and excellence in culinary processes.
-Led the onboarding and training initiatives for numerous new employees, ensuring a smooth integration into the company's operations.
-Fostered a commitment to high-quality standards and regulatory compliance among the team, contributing to a cohesive and well-trained workforce.
-Implemented strategic adjustments that resulted in the surpassing of annual sales goals by over 10%, showcasing an adept understanding of market demands and effective supply chain management.
-Collaborated with relevant stakeholders, including suppliers and department heads, to optimize inventory levels, minimize stockouts, and maximize sales potential, ultimately contributing to the company's financial success.
-Assumed the role of Team Leader during major holidays, overseeing inventory control and cross-merchandising efforts for the Meat and Seafood Departments.
-Managed teams during peak sales periods, with weekly volumes exceeding $100,000, ensuring efficient operations, optimal stock levels, and an appealing product presentation.
-Implemented strategies for cross-merchandising to enhance product visibility and encourage customer purchases, contributing to elevated sales figures during critical holiday seasons.
-Demonstrated leadership in navigating high-pressure situations, optimizing staffing levels, and maintaining operational excellence during periods of heightened customer demand.

Meat & Seafood 

For over two decades I have been devoted to the “customer service experience” at both the retail and wholesale business environments. As an adult learner and full time business professional I have been able to put my passion for time management, organization, and problem solving into effective use by balancing job performance as well educational aspirations. 

My involvement with Athletics since an early age has also been a key definer in my life and has allowed me to develop a competitive edge and eagerness to excel in any task I put my efforts toward. Whether it be running a 100K or making sure a customer gets the right product at the right time I always believe that through effort, dedication and team work the job will get done! 

These are just a few of the many reasons, I am always for looking interesting opportunities to enhance and develop my personal leadership skills and abilities through new challenges and experiences.

James McSheffrey: Account Sales, Retail Director, People Management, Isenberg School of Management, UMass Amherst, Customer Service Manager, Procurement, Grocery Innovation, Marketing Communications, Sports Enthusiast, Team Leader, Competitive Athletics, Motivator.


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