(PRESS RELEASE) EASTON, PA – Phillips Pet Food & Supplies named Bill Hooker to the position of senior vice president, sales. Hooker is responsible for Phillips’ sales and customer care departments and is based in Phillips’ Charlotte, NC, office.
Hooker received an executive MBA with a focus on finance and marketing leadership from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC. He spent a large part of his career with Snyder’s-Lance and other consumer packaged goods organizations, including Kellogg’s and Coca-Cola. Hooker joined Phillips in April 2018 and leads a team of employees dedicated to putting the customer first and promoting the company’s expanding product portfolio.
“It’s a great time to be in the growing pet industry because more retailers, more vendors and more pet parents mean more opportunities for the industry,” said Hooker. “The pet industry is changing quickly, and Phillips’ strategy is to be ahead of the curve in order to be an exceptional business partner to our customers.”
One of the reasons the pet industry is evolving is the humanization of pets. The baby boomer and millennial generations are leading the trend for more natural and organic pet food and are spending more dollars on quality food, treats and toys to make their “furry family members” happy and healthy.
“I’ve been a part of this change first hand in consumer packaged goods,” said Hooker. “Consumers care more than ever about the types of ingredients that go into their foods and what they are putting on their kitchen table for their families. Their pets are members of their families, so foods with simple, clean ingredients are of growing importance.”
Phillips’ sales and customer care team helps retailers place the right products on their shelves at the right time. “Being between the vendor and the retailer, we offer the value of industry insights and market intelligence that advances all of our businesses,” he said. “Phillips imparts that knowledge while offering a best in class customer experience to earn each customer’s trust.”
Hooker points to initiatives like Endless Aisles, the successful online ordering portal for retailers, and Phillips’ “Intentional Assortment” strategy, which combines data with human intelligence to present an intentionally curated brand assortment, as examples of how Phillips is helping retailers move forward. Another example is the Phillips’ buying shows. The Phillips’ Fall Buying Show, being held Aug. 9-10, 2018, in Florida, will feature more than 100 vendor partners and offer educational seminars.
“Phillips holds three buying shows each year with special product deals, but the shows also allow our manufacturing partners and retailers to be face-to-face to discuss products, promotions and industry trends,” said Hooker. “Plus, the shows’ education and networking help our customers build their businesses and delight their consumers. It is what is expected from the preferred service provider in pet specialty.”