Kirk Cleveland

Past

Executive VP Sales at Weber-Stephen Products
Senior Vice President Sales at Weber-Stephen Products
Territory Vice President at Weber-Stephen Products

Regional Manager at Weber-Stephen Products
Regional Manager at Arrow Group Industries
Sales Representative at Lawless-Wilber Company
Vice President Sales at James, Graning and Weaver Company
Sales Representative at James, Graning and Weaver Company
Retail Supervisor at Folloder Food Broker
Retail Salesman at Folloder Food Broker

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7 more...

Education

University of Houston-Downtown

Recommended

1 person has recommended Kirk

Connections

152 connections

Industry

Consumer Goods

Websites

My Company

Kirk Cleveland’s Summary

Senior sales executive and consultant leading start ups and established mid-market businesses. Develops and implements "go to market " strategies and identifies new business opportunities. Analyzes sales team effectiveness and implements strategies for change. Applies “best in class” sales management and leadership credentials in the consumer products industry with a passion for selling, servicing, and negotiating programs with the top echelon of major retail chains, co-op hardware groups, specialty dealer businesses and distributor segments supplying vertical markets.

Success elements include the ability to identify new market and business opportunities. Strong member of business team able to develop and implement strategic plans that support the organization’s goals and objectives. Sales are my passion….I build successful

Kirk Cleveland’s Experience

Executive VP Sales

Weber-Stephen Products

(Consumer Goods industry)

January 2006 — January 2008 (2 years 1 month)

Weber Grills and Accessories

Led sales efforts in US and Canada to include indirect supervision of subsidiary in Mexico. Direct responsibility for Home Depot Corporate office. Directed 2 Senior VP Sales, 4 Regional Managers, Forecast Manager, Sales Support Staff and 20 Manufacturers' Rep firms.

Implemented promotions, developed programs and established dominant listings which increased sales by 65% which forced additional retail dollars through the cash register over 98%.

Led sales team with channel managed programs to increase revenue by 20% to 30%..

Led sales initative to grow revenue by 35 million over a 10 year period with Hardware Co-op group.
Senior Vice President Sales

Weber-Stephen Products

(Consumer Goods industry)

October 2001 — December 2005 (4 years 3 months)

Weber Grills and Accessories

Led sales efforts for the Eastern and South Eastern Territories to include the supervision of 2 regional managers and 9 manufacturers rep groups. Key account responsibility: Home Depot regional offices, Lowe's, Expo Design Centers, Ace Hardware, Target.

Member of strategic Senior Management Team that reported to the Executive Committee providing tactical support responsible for developing new short and long term initiatives while analyzing competitive threats to the business

Won prestigious Vendor of the Year Award at Expo Design Centers.

Managed Hispanic Marketing Campaign that substantially increased brand awareness in this consumer segment
Territory Vice President

Weber-Stephen Products

(Consumer Goods industry)

July 1997 — September 2001 (4 years 3 months)

Weber Grills and Accessories

Led sales efforts for Western and Central US territories to include supervision of 2 regional managers and 10 manufacturers' rep groups. Key accounts: Home Depot regional offices, Lowe's, Ace Hardware, Do-it Best, Wal-Mart.

Implemented a strategic change in representatives in the Midwest to increase sales by 20%. As a result, won a prestigious Vendor of the Year Award with Do-it Best

Developed new gas grill program at Wal-Mart which increased revenue by 8m.

Created a replacement parts program to reduce and resolve warranty claims and provide comsumers with access to hard to find replacement parts.

Implemented a management system change ("EVA") that linked measurement to operating performance drivers and metrics
Regional Manager

Weber-Stephen Products

(Consumer Goods industry)

April 1993 — June 1997 (4 years 3 months)

Weber Grills and Accessories

Managed sales in 17 Western states that included 7 manufacturers reps. Key account responsibility: Home Depot regional offices, Target, Shop-Ko, Payless Drug, Orchard Supply.

Made quota every year under my guidance, minimum sales increase +20%
Regional Manager

Arrow Group Industries

(Consumer Goods industry)

September 1991 — March 1993 (1 year 7 months)

Arrow Storage Buildings

Managed sales for the Central United States and Canada to include 5 manufacturers rep firms. Key accounts: Wal-Mart, True Value, Ace Hardware, WW Grainger. McMaster Carr, Canadian Tire.

Developed test programs with Wal-Mart and Canadian Tire which increased revenue by 18% in the US and 34% in Canada.
Sales Representative

Lawless-Wilber Company

(Consumer Goods industry)

June 1988 — August 1991 (3 years 3 months)

Sales Representative in charge of all consumer related sales for the company in North Texas. Key account responsibility: Skaggs, Tom Thumb Grocery, Albertsons, Builders Surare.

Implemented new computer system to track inventory and sales.
Supervised office personal and helped establish a new policies and procedure manual.
Vice President Sales

James, Graning and Weaver Company

(Consumer Goods industry)

January 1985 — May 1988 (3 years 5 months)

Manufacturers Rep selling consumer products to the retail trade. Responsible for key accounts in North Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana

Interviewed prospective suppliers to represent in operating territory.
Opened new market area in Arkansas and Louisiana and was involved with expanding territory for growth. Opened most new accounts in 1985
Sales Representative

James, Graning and Weaver Company

(Consumer Goods industry)

September 1976 — December 1984 (8 years 4 months)

Responsible for key accounts in the North and West Texas markets. Class of trade serviced: Department Stores, Supermarkets, Houseware and Hardware Distributors, Rack Jobbers, Drug Wholesalers and Home Centers
Retail Supervisor

Folloder Food Broker

(Consumer Goods industry)

October 1974 — August 1976 (1 year 11 months)

Serviced the supermarket trade in South Texas and Louisiana. Supervised 3 service representatives. Key retailers: Eagle, Gemco, Lewis & Coker, Kroger, J. Weingarten

Established a service program for J. Weingarten Inc. Supermarkets. Departments included houseware, hardware, personal care, health and beauty aids. Increased sales of private label product over national advertised Legg's brand. Helped develop a merchandising system for hair notions section which substantilly increased sales. Opened new stores and set plan-o-grams for additional sales.
Retail Salesman

Folloder Food Broker

(Consumer Goods industry)

March 1972 — September 1974 (2 years 7 months)

Kirk Cleveland’s Education

University of Houston-Downtown

business 1970 — 1972

Additional Information

Kirk Cleveland’s Websites:

My Company

Kirk Cleveland’s Interests:

Golf, Outdoors, Music, Arts

Kirk Cleveland’s Groups:

Elected to Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association as board member chairing communications committee (11/02-3/04)

Chair of the HPBA Barbecue Caucus Council and Co-Chair of Manufacturers' Steering Committee (3/04-3/05)

Elected to the At Large position on the HPBA Board of Directors and chaired the Manufacturers' Steering Committee