Thomas Cimino
Chicago
Summary
Dynamic leader with extensive experience in operational excellence and sales strategy. Drove cross-functional initiatives that resulted in +10% revenue growth while enhancing decision-making across complex organizations. Proven advisor to C-suite executives, delivering enterprise-wide programs that align with growth initiatives and brand development.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Principal of Strategic Initiatives & Operations
GALLO
01.2024 - Current
- Sales strategy and operations leader partnering with Chief Sales Officer and CEO to define and execute enterprise sales strategy, growth initiatives, and KPI governance.
- Implement enterprise sales KPI governance supporting a $5B+ sales organization, improving executive visibility, prioritization, and decision‑making across 20+ strategic initiatives annually.
- Lead 10+ cross‑functional strategic programs per year from concept through execution, accelerating alignment and execution speed across Sales, Marketing, Finance, and Business Planning.
- Led cross‑functional programs from concept to execution, enhancing operational efficiency and alignment in a complex sales organization.
- Streamlined sales and planning workflows, eliminating 10–25% of non‑value‑added processes to enhance operating cadence and accountability.
- Collaborated with Executive Leadership Team to shape and run sales operating rhythm, facilitating weekly, monthly, and quarterly forums and ensuring timely executive materials and decisions.
- Largest exporter of California wines, generating approximately $6 billion annually. Markets more than 100 brands across wine, spirits, and ready-to-drink beverages (Barefoot Wine, High Noon Seltzer, New Amsterdam Vodka), distributed in over 110 countries.
Senior On-Premise Channel Manager
GALLO
01.2023 - 01.2024
- Owned national on‑premise strategy and execution for a $600M+ revenue channel, leading Gallo’s on‑premise directors and cross‑functional teams’ enterprise wide.
- Outpaced industry trends delivering +10% growth in Revenue and +5% growth in Volume by expanding distribution, improving account productivity, and aligning national partners to execution standards.
- Led channel strategies for priority brands, collaborating with distributors and negotiating partnerships to strengthen market presence.
- Developed sales strategies for restaurants, bars, and hotels, managing partner relationships to enhance revenue growth.
- Executed core channel strategies to refine portfolio focus, pricing, and merchandising, driving alignment with market needs.
- Largest exporter of California wines, generating approximately $6 billion annually. Markets more than 100 brands across wine, spirits, and ready-to-drink beverages (Barefoot Wine, High Noon Seltzer, New Amsterdam Vodka), distributed in over 110 countries.
Business Intelligence Manager
GALLO
01.2021 - 01.2023
- Managed and developed 3 Business Intelligence Analysts supporting multi-state retail and on-premise sales organizations.
- Managed data analytics, developed, and deployed insights for sales leadership, brand, and marketing teams.
- Led annual planning, pricing, and performance reporting for multi‑state commercial organization supporting ~$500M–$1B+ in regional revenue, achieving 100% on‑time completion of planning cycles despite shifting timelines and inputs.
- Led revenue growth by turning complex consumer and shopper data into actionable stories and strategic decisions.
- Ran supply chain and logistics strategy for 15M cases annually, optimizing service levels while maintaining cost efficiency.
- Largest exporter of California wines, generating approximately $6 billion annually. Markets more than 100 brands across wine, spirits, and ready-to-drink beverages (Barefoot Wine, High Noon Seltzer, New Amsterdam Vodka), distributed in over 110 countries.
Business Development Manager
GALLO
Midwest Region
01.2018 - 01.2020
- Led Gallo’s Minnesota retail business (2019–2021), overseeing $120M+ in annual revenue and a 65‑person distributor sales organization; drove strategic pricing, program development, and market execution to elevate the state from bottom‑tier to a top‑three most profitable U.S. market.
- Led Gallo Retail Spirits’ business for MN, WI, and MO (2018-2019), overseeing $100M+ annual revenue; built relationships with retail partners, implemented promotional strategies, and ensured operational excellence across key accounts.
- Executed sales plans and managed distributor relationships to drive growth in MN, WI, and MO for wine and spirits brands.
- Largest exporter of California wines, generating approximately $6 billion annually. Markets more than 100 brands across wine, spirits, and ready-to-drink beverages (Barefoot Wine, High Noon Seltzer, New Amsterdam Vodka), distributed in over 110 countries.
Field Market Manager
GALLO
Wisconsin
01.2017 - 01.2018
- Directed Gallo’s Wisconsin distributor operations, overseeing $75M+ in annual revenue and ensuring disciplined execution across the state.
- Executed field strategies and collaborated with distributors to achieve sales growth and enhance brand presence in Wisconsin.
- Conducted High Noon Still Vodka test, facilitating successful brand pivot and launch of national hard seltzer.
- Largest exporter of California wines, generating approximately $6 billion annually. Markets more than 100 brands across wine, spirits, and ready-to-drink beverages (Barefoot Wine, High Noon Seltzer, New Amsterdam Vodka), distributed in over 110 countries.
District Manager
BREAKTHRU BEVERAGE
01.2013 - 01.2017
- Led a 15‑rep independent retail team within the Horizon Division, managing $50M+ in revenue and Gallo’s largest Midwest retail partner, Binny’s Beverage Depot ($15M+).
- Led 10‑rep team managing company portfolio across all Illinois Walgreens locations, achieving $20M+ in annual revenue.
- Drove sales volume and brand distribution in designated territory, enhancing profitability.
- North American beverage alcohol wholesaler distributing a broad portfolio of wine, spirits, beer, and non‑alcoholic brands across the U.S. and Canada, supported by 10,000 associates and more than $6–8.5B in annual revenue.
Education
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (MBA) - Management, Operations, Finance, and Marketing
University of Notre Dame
Chicago, ILBACHELOR OF ARTS - POLITICAL SCIENCE
Loyola University of Chicago
Chicago, ILSkills
- Strategic leadership
- Sales growth
- Market trend analysis
- Merchandising operations
- Optimized assortments
- Operational excellence
- Shopper insights
- Strategic vendor relations
- Data analysis and reporting
- Process improvement
- Agile workstreams
- Negotiation skills
- Executive coordination
- Stakeholder engagement
- Team leadership
- Mentoring and collaboration
- Integrated solutions
Certification
- Lean Practitioner Certification, 01/2024
- Wine & Spirits Education WSET Level 2, 01/2017
- Society of Wine Educators’ Certified Spirits Specialist CSS, 01/2015
- GALLO Sales Leadership Development Program, 01/2013
Timeline
Principal of Strategic Initiatives & Operations
GALLO
01.2024 - Current
Senior On-Premise Channel Manager
GALLO
01.2023 - 01.2024
Business Intelligence Manager
GALLO
01.2021 - 01.2023
Business Development Manager
GALLO
01.2018 - 01.2020
Field Market Manager
GALLO
01.2017 - 01.2018
District Manager
BREAKTHRU BEVERAGE
01.2013 - 01.2017
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (MBA) - Management, Operations, Finance, and Marketing
University of Notre Dame
BACHELOR OF ARTS - POLITICAL SCIENCE
Loyola University of Chicago