Walter Pfister
Duluth
Summary
Dedicated, assertive Sales Manager successfully leading a team of salespeople and achieving 8% margin growth for 2025. I believe in leading and coaching through example. I am proficient at creating and implementing strategies for growing and maintaining business. I am highly successful at attending to various customer needs with a history of achieving and exceeding expectations.
Sales management professional with proven track record in driving revenue growth and fostering team collaboration. Strong focus on relationship building, strategic planning, and market analysis. Adept at adapting to changing business needs and consistently delivering results. Skilled in negotiation, customer engagement, and sales forecasting. Reliable and results-driven, with commitment to achieving organizational goals.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
North Region On Premise Sales Manager
Viking Coca-Cola Beverages
01.2023 - Current
- Responsible for leading and developing a team of sales professionals covering branches in Duluth, Ashland, and Virginia.
- Experience in servicing clients in the bar/restaurant, food service, sports venue, and special events channels.
- Develop strategies to achieve sales goals for volume and margin growth.
- Set clear expectations and strategies for long-term success.
- Build and maintain effective relationships with clients, the community, and within the company.
- Create and conduct effective business reviews.
- Lead and coordinate events such as sampling, meetings, sales rallies, and community engagement events including Grandma’s Marathon and Bentleyville.
- Create financial analyses for new businesses to present to executive leadership.
- Communicate with contacts for accounts with past due A/R and develop payment plans.
Account Manager
Coca-Cola Beverages of Duluth
01.2011 - 01.2023
- Acted as the main point of contact in matters relating to client concerns and needs.
- Oversaw multiple accounts and worked diligently to meet and exceed performance goals.
- Kept accurate records of inventory and account notes, documenting any contract updates and renewals.
- Motivated and worked with onboarding team members to successfully integrate new employees into the organization.
- Identified customer needs by asking questions and advising on the best solutions.
- Listened to customer needs to identify and recommend the best products and services.
- Built and maintained productive relationships with customers and internal partners.
Route Sales Representative
Frito Lay
01.1999 - 01.2011
- Similar responsibilities to the Account Manager position with Coca-Cola.
- Served as trainer/mentor for new hires.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology and Criminology
University of Minnesota
DuluthSkills
- Business Development
- Acquisition and Retention Strategies
- Team Leadership
- Relationship Building
- Time Management
- Verbal and Written Communication
- Customer Needs Assessment
- Documentation and Reporting
- Team Collaboration
- Collaborative mindset
- Sales strategy implementation
- Key account targeting
Accomplishments
- Supervised team of 4 staff members.
- Oversaw comprehensive event management for Coca-Cola Beverages of Duluth; key events included Grandma's Marathon and Expo, and the Bentleville Tour of Lights Coke Night.
Timeline
North Region On Premise Sales Manager
Viking Coca-Cola Beverages
01.2023 - Current
Account Manager
Coca-Cola Beverages of Duluth
01.2011 - 01.2023
Route Sales Representative
Frito Lay
01.1999 - 01.2011
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology and Criminology
University of Minnesota