1. Kristina Nelson
Arlington, Texas kristinanelson01@gmail.com Cell: 214-683-5957
www.linkedin.com/in/kristinanelson1
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SUMMARY
Business Development and Operations executive with experience in retail product development and
financial program design, as well as operational training and implementation. Able to identify growth
opportunities, lead cross-functional teams throughout organizations, and communicate effectively
across all levels, both internally and externally. Strategic planner with strong analytic skills, balanced
with creativity
• New Business Development • Financial Modeling, Revenue Planning
• Product Development/Sourcing • Capital Management
• Vendor/Partner Relationships • Presentation / Communications
• Project Management • Category Management
• Contract Negotiations • Multi-Unit Operations
• Strategic Planning • Performance Improvement & Leadership
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
CASH AMERICA INTERNATIONAL, Ft. Worth, TX 2011 - 2014
Director of Business Development
Led the planning, development and implementation of new programs, strategies, processes, products and
services for Cash America, Super Pawn and Cashland storefronts across the U.S.
• Designed, developed and implemented a new auto lending product, resulting in a $7M portfolio
with $1M in revenue first year. Led cross-functional work with IT, compliance, legal, marketing
and 3rd
party lender
• Created and developed an installment lending product, a new category for the organization
• Improved shop efficiency with the development and implementation of new employee staffing
model and scheduler
• Enhanced customer shopping experience with a new “Store of the Future” shop design and
implementation. Managed contractor relationships and improved upstream equipment
procurement practices
7-ELEVEN, INC, Dallas, TX 1987 - 2011
Senior Director Non-Foods / Tobacco (2007 – 2011)
Managed the Non-Foods and Tobacco product assortment and pricing strategies for all U.S. stores
• Achieved and exceeded an annual sales budget of $3.2B and gross profit of $795M, which represented
24% of all 7-Eleven merchandising profits
• Recruited, trained and led a team of Category Managers who developed, sourced and purchased
products for the Non-Foods and Tobacco categories
• Assigned to lead a special team to Optimize Total Store GP. Worked cross-functionally with
Marketing, Field Operations, Strategic Planning and Merchandise Intelligence teams to drive additional
transaction counts to stores via key value items while optimizing the consumer market basket
• Identified, tested and implemented new businesses resulting in an incremental $11.8M in sales and
$5.4M in GP annually
Senior Director Fresh Food Development (2005-2007)
Led a team of Category and regional Fresh Food Managers in the development of proprietary fresh foods
for U.S. and Canada
• Coached/trained Fresh Food Managers on new product development focusing on regional distinctions
across the eastern seaboard. Worked cross-functionally with commissary/bakery partners, logistics and
field operations to improve infrastructure and execution to support daily delivered fresh foods; grew
profits by 8% in 2007
2. • Led a team of Category and Fresh Food Operations Managers in establishing and managing the fresh
food product assortment for the entire U.S. and Canada, growing profits by 4.3% in 2006
• Improved vendor relationships and cost of goods with 17 Bakery/Commissary partners. Assisted in
developing the re-structure of the entire Fresh Foods organization to support regional focus for 2007
Category Manager - Hot Beverages (2001-2005)
Delivered innovation and growth of the Hot Beverage category in the U.S., with sales of $455M and the #2
GP$ producer for the organization at $324M annually
• Grew yearly sales and profits with 2004 being a record year. Improved total U.S. category sales by
$38M, +9.2%, and GP$ by $25M, +8.3%; exceeded budget by 3%
• New proprietary product development, including Café Combinations program, Coffee blends, co-
branded Cocoas/Cappuccinos, Iced Coffee/Lattes, cup and lid design
• Sourced new suppliers and conducted vendor negotiations for lowest possible cost of goods, while
improving product quality; incremental $5M in GP$
• Obtained and managed capital budget of $25M for various projects, including design/development of
new hot beverage delivery system
• Worked with licensee in Mexico to develop a new hot beverage program
Merchandise Manager (1999-2001)
Jamesburg, NJ
Northeast Division territory covered 570+ stores across 8 states (New Jersey to Maine)
• Managed categories including Cigarettes, Services, Beer, Soft Drinks, Wine and Non-Foods; supervised
and managed development of non-foods merchandisers
• Worked with local suppliers on improved product assortment, lower cost of goods and store
implementation
• Received Person of the Year award in 2000 for the Northeast Division
Gasoline Manager and Merchandiser (1997-1999)
Willow Grove, PA
Managed all gasoline facilities across 12 states (Virginia to Maine), to include: pricing strategies, re-imaging,
environmental compliance, acquisitions and construction scopes of work; also managed the Services
category with the introduction and implementation of first pre-paid phones and cards for 7-Eleven in the
Northeast
Assistant Market Manager (1993-1997)
Voorhees, NJ
Business consultant for a small group of Franchised and Corporate stores, while assisting in the
development and training of Field Consultants and Management Trainees, analyzing P&L statements, led
store changeovers, and provided back-up support for Market Manager
Field Consultant (1987-1993)
NJ and PA
Business consultant for several 8-10 store franchised subgroups; grew sales and profits for both the
Franchisee and 7-Eleven
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science, Marketing, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Food Executive Program, Cornell University, Ithaca NY