Charles Thomas

Marketing and Management Company committed to represent a select group of high quality oriented beverage companies from around the world (Georges Duboeuf, Yering Station, Marques de Murrieta…) that want to develop their brands throughout Asia Pacific and Sub-Continent.
I was responsible for implementing our partner strategies and ensuring their continued success.
The main part of my job was to manage and develop our existing customers as well as to canvass potential importers in my commercial area (mainly China, Hong Kong and Taiwan).
I was entirely responsible of my markets profitability and I had to achieve the sales targets decided by my hierarchy and myself.
Distribution channels wise, I had to develop the regular wine importers, duty free segment as well as the luxury grocery retail.
I had also a very important role to play in term of Marketing and communication. Building the brand awareness of our products was indeed one of our main tasks. Such activities made me very familiar with events organization such as wine dinners, staff trainings, Media coverage, etc.
Last but not least, transport logistic support and payment follow up are also a part of my job.
Achievement: I have initiated business with ten new importers which led a 60% year to year sales increase.

Sino-French importer-distributor of fine world wines.
French Wine Paradox is the leading wine supplier in the Chinese retail business. Its customers are leading retailers such as Wall-Mart, Carrefour and Metro.
My job was to develop and improve the business in the North of China (both off and on trade channels).
I hired both local and foreign employees to build and manage a sales team, concluded agreements with local retailers and also improved the sales within hotels and restaurants chains.
Marketing wise, I had to organize various events in order to build the awareness of our portfolio brands. Thanks to the A&P budget from our suppliers, I could run a lot of communication actions in the most prestigious Hotels and restaurants across China.
Achievements: average of 35% year to year sales increase from 2004 to 2007

Sino-French importer-distributor of fine world wines.
I worked as a Sales Representative in our largest customer: Carrefour. I was in charge of the wine selection in some of the retailer stores, advising customers, promoting and selling the stock to the end customers. I also organized culinary and tastings events to enhance the Chinese wine awareness.
Thanks to this first experience in China I learnt a lot about the Chinese consumers habits when it comes to wine and spirits purchases as well as the evolution of the consumption in this country.