Henry Prahl
Chula Vista
Summary
Dynamic and results-oriented sales professional with over twenty years of experience in outside sales and the food service industry. Expertise in building and nurturing relationships with key decision-makers, ensuring seamless project execution from inception to completion. A proactive approach to business challenges, leveraging strong problem-solving skills, persistence and resourcefulness to drive positive outcomes. Committed to exceeding sales targets and delivering exceptional value to clients through strategic initiatives and innovative solutions.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Account Executive
Sunrise Produce
10.2023 - 11.2025
- Developed relationships with clients to understand their needs and tailor solutions.
- Prepared detailed proposals, to showcase product offerings effectively.
Account Executive
Worldwide Produce
03.2023 - 10.2023
- Established and nurtured client relationships with a focus on solution-based sales initiatives.
- Facilitated pricing and contract terms negotiations with multi-unit operators to establish new business partnerships.
- Managed clients purchase orders ensuring timely communication of market shorts/subs and same day recoveries options.
- Evaluated client delivery windows to ensure compliance with route drop minimums and expected receiving times.
District Sales Manager
FreshPoint Southern California
05.2022 - 01.2023
- Managed sales teams across Orange County, Las Vegas and San Diego County.
- Developed and executed comprehensive sales training programs for general sales meetings.
- Conducted weekly performance reviews, offering constructive feedback to team members.
- Established SOPs to optimize and streamline onboarding new business partnerships including FreshPoint/Sysco contract group business.
- Implemented comprehensive sales strategies resulting in increased Freshpoint market presence throughout Southern California.
- Engaged with internal department leads to ensure alignment with sales team quotas, adherence to required sales margins and expected annualized growth.
Business Development Specialist
FreshPoint Southern California
07.2021 - 05.2022
- Drove growth of new local group and multi-unit sales across Southern California region.
- Collaborated with the corporate Freshpoint business development teams to formulate strategies aimed at enhancing national market share for FreshPoint.
- Evaluated client operational inefficiencies to devise and implement customized solutions.
- Performed comprehensive client assessments to identify growth opportunities and refine strategies for achieving targeted outcomes.
- Delivered quantifiable results to national business development team using Salesforce and Sysco branded reporting tools.
Outside Sales Representative
Charlie's Produce Los Angeles
01.2021 - 06.2021
- Collaborated on strategic planning for extending the food service program's reach into San Diego County.
- Refined the existing retail sales processes to bridge and support the newly implemented food service program.
- Worked with the in-house buyers to bring on non-organic commodity produce lines.
- Serviced existing house accounts in Orange County while developing new business opportunities.
Produce Sales Representative
The Chef's Warehouse Los Angeles
07.2020 - 01.2021
- Spearheaded development and implementation of systems for the proposed new produce program.
- Supported sourcing efforts by identifying and vetting reliable farms and packers to ensure product quality.
- Facilitated communication between sales and IT departments as a liaison for JDE implementation team.
- Collaborated with sales teams in San Diego and Orange County to address produce-related issues and optimize sales strategies.
Senior Sales Account Executive
Vesta Foodservice
10.2013 - 07.2020
- Supported customer operations by analyzing menu mix to enhance efficiency, reduce food costs and increase profitability.
- Cultivated strong client relationships through consistent delivery of superior customer service. Acknowledged for expertise and reliability in service execution.
- Managed a diverse customer base of 272 clients, driving annual sales exceeding $32 million.
- Worked closely with several food service management groups including the Compass Group, Bon Appétit Management and ISS Guckenheimer.
- Acquired a detailed understanding of the internal workings of several GPO's including Foodbuy, Avendra and Aramark.
- Coordinated with buyers to source and grow our internal product lines based on clients needs effectively increasing my regions non-produce sales by 35%.
- Consecutively exceeded annual sales growth goals of 20% from 2015 thru my departure in 2020.
Outside Sales Representative
Micros Systems
02.2012 - 09.2013
- Cultivated relationships and opened new customer accounts in Southern and Eastern San Diego County.
- Consistently updated the pipeline in our CRM software with sales data for end of month reporting.
- Maintained an in-depth understanding of industry leading products and services. Performed product demonstrations and created workflow strategies for customer installs.
- Prepared detailed proposals to include hardware, software and services. Effectively met quarterly sales and development goals.
Owner/Media Designer
MasonPrahl Creative
06.2008 - 12.2011
- Serviced a broad base of clients improving their web and brand identities.
- Created materials for print marketing, designed brand identities and customized digital media including coding web platforms.
- Prospected weekly for new business opportunities and provided clients with print brokering services.
- Sourced materials through a vendor network of first-rate suppliers.
- Worked as the project manager, keeping the client informed on agreed upon timelines until job completion and media delivery.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Media Arts
Platt College
San Diego, CaliforniaAssociate of Arts - Food and Beverage Management
Johnson And Wales University
Charleston, South CarolinaSkills
- Sales Force
- Mac & PC platforms
- Produce Pro & AS400
- Microsoft Office
- Relationship building and customer retention
- Multitasking and performance under pressure
- Customer presentations and product knowledge
- Team support and collaboration
- Prospecting and networking
- Business development focusing on a consultative sales approach
- Business development and planning
Timeline
Account Executive
Sunrise Produce
10.2023 - 11.2025
Account Executive
Worldwide Produce
03.2023 - 10.2023
District Sales Manager
FreshPoint Southern California
05.2022 - 01.2023
Business Development Specialist
FreshPoint Southern California
07.2021 - 05.2022
Outside Sales Representative
Charlie's Produce Los Angeles
01.2021 - 06.2021
Produce Sales Representative
The Chef's Warehouse Los Angeles
07.2020 - 01.2021
Senior Sales Account Executive
Vesta Foodservice
10.2013 - 07.2020
Outside Sales Representative
Micros Systems
02.2012 - 09.2013
Owner/Media Designer
MasonPrahl Creative
06.2008 - 12.2011
Bachelor of Science - Media Arts
Platt College
Associate of Arts - Food and Beverage Management
Johnson And Wales University