Jim Valentic: A Sales Visionary in the Food and Beverage Industry

Jim Valentic is a distinguished sales leader with over 25 years of success in the food and beverage industry, transforming brands and driving revenue growth through strategic account management and innovative sales initiatives. With a degree in Business Administration (cum laude) from Chowan University, Jim combines a deep understanding of the market with an entrepreneurial mindset, ensuring brands achieve long-lasting success.

Career Highlights and Expertise

Jim’s expertise spans National Account Management, Route-to-Market Strategies, New Product Rollouts, and Strategic Business Planning. He has a proven track record of driving revenue growth, building high-performing teams, and securing key partnerships with national and regional retailers.

• Leadership at Industry Giants:
  At Red Bull North America, Jim managed a $352M annual portfolio, leading a team across 13 states to achieve double-digit sales growth and establish relationships with top accounts like 7-Eleven, ShopRite, and Wegmans.
• Scaling Emerging Brands:
  At Keurig Dr. Pepper, Jim oversaw a $65M portfolio for emerging brands like Bai Antioxidant Beverages and Core Hydration, guiding their expansion through strategic pricing, promotional campaigns, and category leadership.
• Start-Up Leadership:
  Jim has a proven ability to scale start-ups like Positive Beverage and Stewart’s Enterprises, securing national distribution with key clients such as Walmart, Publix, and Kroger. His innovative strategies helped these brands penetrate competitive markets and drive exponential growth.

Notable Achievements

• Successfully managed sales portfolios exceeding $350M annually, delivering consistent double-digit growth.
• Spearheaded new product rollouts for functional beverages, energy drinks, and seltzers, achieving rapid market penetration.
• Negotiated high-stakes contracts and category management agreements (CMA) with major retailers, optimizing pricing and promotion strategies.
• Built and led teams of up to nine direct reports, mentoring them to exceed sales targets and deliver exceptional results.

Industry Contributions

Jim has worked with top-tier brands and distributors, including Red Bull, Keurig Dr. Pepper, Positive Beverage, and Stewart’s Enterprises. He has championed innovative products across beverage categories, from functional drinks to premium waters, consistently exceeding expectations and solidifying partnerships with leading chains like Kroger, Ahold-Delhaize, and Whole Foods.

Core Competencies

• National Account Management
• New Product Rollouts
• Route-to-Market Strategies
• Contract Negotiations
• Strategic Business Planning
• Supply Chain Optimization

Personal Mission

Jim Valentic’s career is defined by his dedication to building brands, driving growth, and fostering innovation. His ability to blend strategy with execution has helped brands of all sizes—from start-ups to global leaders—achieve their business objectives. Jim’s leadership philosophy is grounded in collaboration, accountability, and delivering measurable results.