*Accomplished, results-driven Strategy and Planning Manager with proven success in increasing market share and revenues for Fortune 100 companies. *Proactive sales leader able to build, train, and motivate teams to exceed goals. *Superior communication skills, builds positive relations with clients, vendors, and networking contacts that generate new business opportunities. *Fluent in English, Punjabi, and Hindi. Technically proficient in Microsoft Office applications, Adobe Acrobat Writer and Reader, and Photoshop. *Goal-driven, action oriented individual continuously seeking new challenges. Specialties: *Special expertise in Quantitative Analysis, Retail and Wholesale Trade Strategies, Forecasting, P&L Managment, Networking, Cross-Functional Team Management, Project/Program Management, Negotiations, Promotions, Client Relations, Team Building, Inventory Management, Distribution, Pricing.

Director Customer and Shopper Insights - Category Management West Division @ •Build west division grocery Yogurt and Water category strategies for sustainable long term growth while maximizing growth across Danone portfolio. •Lead West Division Category Management team in obtaining category captaincy, driving customer category development/growth, building longterm category strategies aligned with customer KPI's while growing Dannon, Stonyfield, Yocrunch and Evian retail standards (assortment/merchandising/pricing/shelving or “AMPS”). •Lead a team of 7 to ensure that the corporate category strategies, standardized category management processes, and enabling tools are being incorporated within field category management teams and are being consistently applied with customers to help grow customer categories. •Work directly with retailer buyers, category analysts and Sales Directors to identify category building initiatives and provide direction and thought leadership in development of appropriate customer-specific solutions. •Lead development of customer category growth strategies within the JBP process through partnership with Sales Planning and field Category Management. Participate in the customer strategy meetings. •Partner with customer-facing teams to generate shopper and customer research initiatives that will bring “Insights to Action” and lead to business building opportunities for Danone and customers. •Responsible for working with the Sales Training and Development team in order identify and address the individual development needs of the field Category Management teams across functional (technical and analytical) skills. •Develop and leverage relationships with customer Category Managers/Buyers and at least one level of management higher in order to drive Dannon’s category strategy and secure captaincy status. •Play a key role in the development of Dannon's category vision. •Responsible for developing customer-specific category insights research budgets and for managing the successful execution of associated projects. From January 2015 to Present (10 months) Irvine, CACategory and Shopper Insights West Division- Sr. Manager @ •Lead West Division Category Management team in obtaining category captaincies, driving customer category development and be accountable for achievement of Dannon, Stonyfield, Yocrunch and Evian retail standards (assortment/merchandising/pricing/shelving or “AMPS”) for the group of assigned customers •Lead a team of 7 to ensure that the corporate category strategies, standardized category management processes, and enabling tools are being incorporated within field category management teams and are being consistently applied with customers. •Work directly with Retailers Category Management and Sales Directors to identify category building initiatives and provide direction and thought leadership in development of appropriate customer-specific solutions. •Lead development of customer category growth strategies within the JBP process through partnership with Sales Planning and field Category Management. Participate in the customer strategy meetings. •Partner with customer-facing teams to generate shopper and customer research initiatives that will bring “Insights to Action” and lead to business building opportunities for Danone and customers. •Responsible for working with the Sales Training and Development team in order identify and address the individual development needs of the field Category Management teams across functional (technical and analytical) skills. •Develop and leverage relationships with customer Category Managers/Buyers and at least one level of management higher in order to drive Dannon’s category strategy and secure captaincy status. •Play a key role in the development of Dannon's category vision. •Responsible for developing customer-specific category insights research budgets and for managing the successful execution of associated projects. From June 2014 to December 2014 (7 months) Irvine, California AreaSenior Manager - Customer Strategy & Planning (West) @ Lead the Division’s strategy & planning as well as Key Customers strategic planning process in order to ensure that Dannon WINs in the marketplace and become the strategic partner of choice within dairy in key accounts. Planning to WIN with double digit growth across Dannon and Yocrunch Portfolio in Dairy. • Work closely with the RVP in creating the plans and work with the field sales organization to provide the tools to be successful in execution across key KPI’s • Incorporate specific customer and shopper insights into the company’s planning process • Own the development of the long term vision (3 to 5 years) for the Division and key customers within the division • Lead the yearly JBP (Joint Business Planning) process with key customers within the division • Represent the specific division and key customer needs within the company • Responsible for planning the company’s business for the Division under his/her responsibility • Represent and present the business and its performance within the company • Analyze each brand and segment performance and recommend the needed corrective actions • Keep the SWOT analysis updated for the customers under his/her responsibility • Responsible for working together w/ field sales as well as the Portfolio Strategy & Planning Team (PSP) and Brand Teams to lead and develop cross-functional initiatives and division/customer initiatives • Responsible for working closely and developing direct reports From March 2014 to May 2014 (3 months) Irvine, CAMANAGER- CUSTOMER STRATEGY & PLANNING (WEST) @ Lead the Division’s strategy & planning as well as Key Customers strategic planning process in order to ensure that Dannon WINs in the marketplace and become the strategic partner of choice within dairy in key accounts. • Work closely with the Division Director (RVP) in creating the plans and work with the field sales organization to provide the tools to be successful in execution across key KPI’s • Incorporate specific customer and shopper insights into the company’s planning process • Own the development of the long term vision (3 to 5 years) for the Division and key customers within the division • Lead the yearly JBP (Joint Business Planning) process with key customers within the division • Represent the specific division and key customer needs within the company • Responsible for planning the company’s business for the Division under his/her responsibility • Represent and present the business and its performance within the company • Analyze each brand and segment performance and recommend the needed corrective actions • Keep the SWOT analysis updated for the customers under his/her responsibility • Responsible for working together w/ field sales as well as the Portfolio Strategy & Planning Team (PSP) and Brand Teams to lead and develop cross-functional initiatives and division/customer initiatives • Responsible for working closely and developing direct reports From January 2012 to February 2014 (2 years 2 months) Irvine, CASales Strategy/Planning Sr Manager @ Lead the strategic direction and development of the Naked Juice & IZZE business across Drug, C-store and FSV channels. Build the business by being a leader and expert in the development of super premium brands for PepsiCo. *Work with NASMs, PepsiCo/QTG Selling Teams, to develop strategies and proposals that further develop the businesses for a sustainable future. *Work closely with category management, marketing, insights, operations, finance groups on the development of transformational proposals that positively impact brand and customer development. *Build winning brand strategies and compelling selling stories that fully represent Naked and IZZE as premium brands. *Ensure execution of customer strategies is in line with Business Unit objectives and goals. *Communicate customer, competitive and market activities and risks to Field Sales to ensure we maintain/grow share and deliver against plan. *Communicate local marketing data and competitive information to Business Unit to ensure we win in the marketplace. *Analyze internal and external data. Identify business performance issues and implement performance intervention *Communicate the rationale around the "why's" of the business strategy and build winning internal relationships. *Lead development of trade spending strategies and work with finance in trade fund management *Serve as sales strategy voice on BU project teams. Provide timely and accurate communication of project status to the team. *Track and measure key customer performance indicators *Educate internal constituents regarding channel and customer strategies *Lead the development of brand/channel selling materials and resources *Lead AOP process for the Naked & IZZE business while developing and communicating the strategic vision for all channels. *Proactively communicates with management on progress, priorities, obstacles and action plans on the businesses. From March 2011 to January 2012 (11 months) Sales Planning Manager for Naked Juice & IZZE BU @ Lead the strategic direction and development of the Naked Juice & IZZE business across Drug, C-store and FSV channels. Build the business by being a leader and expert in the development of super premium brands for PepsiCo. From August 2010 to March 2011 (8 months) Specialist Development Sales @ Ensured quality results nationally, by analyzing training needs and developing customized workshops and training programs for Altria Sales & Distribution sales force (including materials, manuals, and feedback survey forms), while measuring results. * Motivated company-wide sales force by creating presentations for the national sales meeting. * Empowered senior management to improve team performance with train-the-trainer programs. *Achieved effective marketing collateral and training materials by collaborating with vendors to communicate concept and design objectives. *Maximized cost effectiveness while streamlining everyday operations in the execution of vendor purchase orders. *Improved team performance by creating and conducting new sales training on a national scale (2000 field representatives) for the Regional Vice President, Section Sales Director, and District Manager. *Supported the introduction of 2 new categories through training the field sales team to successfully sell 30 initiatives. *Created training materials for the sales force to achieve distribution objectives, during a multi-category launch with the creation of 7 market-specific training manuals for national senior management. From July 2009 to July 2010 (1 year 1 month) Unit Manager/Key Account Responsibility @ Built Altria’s business in the southern CA marketplace by managing multiple national and regional customers and overseeing a geography consisting of four sales representatives responsible for over 600 stores. Lead and impacted the growth of an emerging niche brand in Southern CA's marketplace which contributed to the overall business growth for the Southern CA Section. *Maximized ROI, managing and negotiating promotions for multiple accounts representing hundreds of stores in Southern California and Nevada. *Increased revenues and achieved account and Altria’s goals, collaborating with the client and effectively managing multiple categories based on business trend analysis. *Optimized the performance of a team of 4 as a unit manager to execute initiatives and key strategies. *Ensured optimal outcomes of programs and promotions by selling against the 4Ps. *Built organization’s capability by identifying, hiring, and training new talent for a territory sales manager position. *Increased Albertson’s Supermarket sales volume more than 10% while increasing utilization of manufacturer resources to 97%, overseeing 2 retail and 2 wholesale accounts. *Developed a unique approach to distribute product directly to Nevada stores through Albertson’s distribution channel *Achieved 0.43 share growth by creating and implementing a brand and retail strategy for a niche product in 3000 stores in the Southern California market. *Increased share by 0.65 pp in a 72 pp share market, where national share was declining, through proactive category solutions. *Managed Exxon Mobil’s #2 market in national sales, consisting of 74 stores in Southern California. *Identified and established a new business, Berri Brothers Inc., negotiated contract details and provided direction to local representatives for implementation. *Turned around underperforming Winall Oil kiosk chain—increasing share 1.3 pp by persuading the buyer to adopt a new look and promotional opportunities. From September 2005 to July 2009 (3 years 11 months) Sales Development Associate @ Achieved maximum results against objectives through the effective management and training of a team of 6 sales representatives, overseeing 900 stores. *Trained 5 new sales representative on selling effectively and executing the marketing P’s effectively at retail *Maintained university relations to recruit new talent From January 2005 to August 2005 (8 months) Territory Sales Manager @ Optimized growth, contributing to $12 million in annual sales from 140 accounts. Influenced business decisions in several markets by consulting retailers using sales data and financial tools. *Increased share by 2.2pp within seven months in an territory where share was declining rapidly *Motivated and managed a merchandiser to execute promotions successfully *Served on various committees which motivate, build teamwork, and recognize to help build a strong organization *Worked in 2 different markets (Denver, CO – Suburban market and Hayward, CA – Metro market) From June 2002 to December 2004 (2 years 7 months)

MBA, Master of Business Administration @ Pepperdine University, The George L. Graziadio School of Business and Management From 2011 to 2012 Bachlors of Science in Business Administration, Marketing and Business Management @ University of Arizona, Eller College of Management From 1999 to 2002 Mini Walia is skilled in: Strategic Planning, Strategy Development, Sales Management, Management, Strategy, Marketing Strategy, Team Building, Sales, Key Account Management, Analysis, Sales Operations, New Business Development, Business Development, Event Management, Brand Equity, Key Account Development, Business Strategy, Pricing, Leadership, Business Planning, CRM