Chuck Sample

Innovative, energetic, strategic Chief Data and Analytics Executive anchored in speed and pragmatism who unharnesses the power of companies’ data and analytics assets while building top-performing teams. Expertise includes cloud data transformations, AI and data science applications, BI modernization, CRM platform development, pricing, and loyalty marketing. Committed to Agile Scrum methods, have developed and led enterprise transformations yielding significant and sustained profitable savings and revenue growth.

Consistently partnering with other executives to enhance business growth strategies while transforming data and analytics capabilities into world-class, industry-leading, P&L practices. Passionate about pragmatically testing and applying leading-edge analytics through a continuous delivery mindset driving value aligned with company strategy.

KEY STRENGTHS:
Data Science • Artificial Intelligence (AI & ML) • Data Management • Demand Forecasting • Business Intelligence • Data Literacy & Governance • Pricing & Promotion Analytics • Digital Campaigns, Personalization & Loyalty Marketing • Primary Research (NPS, Brand & Market) • Assortment Rationalization • Supply Chain Network Optimization • Software Product Development • P&L Management • Agile Scrum/SAFe Delivery • Staff Development

PELLA CORPORATION, Pella, Iowa

Head of Data, Analytics & AI (CDAO), 2022-October, 2024

Revolutionized and consolidated Pella’s data ecosystem (including data architecture, engineering, governance, business intelligence, data science and AI) into one cohesive service model to support Pella as an enterprise function.  Developed business case, secured executive approval for multi-year funding and implemented an integrated roadmap for the modernization of enterprise analytics, AI and self-service BI.

• Led design and building of cloud enterprise data model, migrating data across multiple segregated environments into MS Azure Data Bricks environment to create a certified, trusted ‘source of truth’.
• Rebuilt & relaunched robust multi-tiered, federated, business-led Data Governance model.
• Implemented Informatica’s IDMC MDM/360 and Governance apps along with Alation’s Data Catalog to enable a robust self-service support structure pairing analyst/engineers and stewards by data domain.
• Consolidated BI applications into a modernized cloud-supported structure with Microsoft Power BI and Sigma Computing, retiring predominant and disparate legacy on-prem systems.
• Launched a robust, long-term data literacy campaign with a multi-persona deployment strategy.
• Designed business case and built AI Office including dedicated, cross-functional delivery teams and Executive Steering and Governance committees focusing on short- and long-term business use case prioritization, pilot structuring, policies and governance.
• Worked with business function leaders/executives to launch multiple Generative AI and Computer Vision pilots yielding pragmatic, ROI -focused, rapidly scalable products.
• Served on several long-term executive Steering Committees for the modernization of Manufacturing, Sales, HR, and Finance systems and integrated process design.
• Rebuilt, proto-typed and launched sophisticated predictive/adaptive demand generation engine fueling the enterprise demand planning function and significantly improving business trust in granular forecasting.
• Co-led Agile introduction and roll-out throughout the company with a focus on role-modeling the data and analytics function, fully integrating skill sets into cross-function, business-led product teams.

US FOODS, Rosemont, Illinois

VP, Analytics and Data Sciences (CDAO), 2017-2022

Established corporate insights and analytics function (70-plus employees), with enterprise responsibilities spanning data sourcing and commercialization; data governance and provisioning; business intelligence reporting, data literacy; data science and analytics engineering; and ML/AI R&D and software development (Food Genius acquisition). Managed $40 million P&L. Led acquisition and rollout of AWS cloud data ecosystem, including key applications (i.e., data warehouse, data visualization, scalable operational reporting, metadata management, forecasting engine, data quality, and governance).

Oversaw CRM strategy/applications for 3,500-plus sales organization (Salesforce and CRM Analytics). Built BI and data governance discipline, including data literacy team as well as cross-functional data community of practice and business-led data steward network. Managed third-party conducted continuous NPS tracking study, annual market assessment, and ad hoc customer industry segment analyses. Implemented first Agile-based, product-driven operating model.

• Led cloud-first technology transformation and established a multi-domain data governance and quality practice significantly improving the speed and confidence in business decision-making.
• Drove acquisition of ML/AI/software business, creating and transforming external data into internal monetizable products and commercialized to help deliver hundreds of millions in incremental sales.
• Created industry-first assortment optimization across 300,000-plus SKUs to drive $30 million in annualized EBITDA.
• Developed and implemented prescriptive, proprietary commercial forecast, significantly improving volume/profit projections and warehouse labor planning.

US FOODS, Rosemont, Illinois

Vice President, Merchandising Analytics, 2011-2017

Developed and built merchandising analytics practice (20-plus BI analysts and data scientists) supporting category management, marketing, e-commerce, and product innovation functions. Oversaw product information management team (30-plus employees) responsible for product domain data quality across 300,000-plus SKUs across 1,000-plus suppliers.

Built promotion analytics team and led development of automation engine comprised of predictive product and basket offer banks; CLV and response modeling; life stage segmentation; and personalized content management. Established and managed vendor analytics collaboration team with revenue-generating data commercialization platform. Created customer-specific pricing team responsible for development, deployment, and management of pricing optimization engine and sales enablement applications.

• Rolled-out customer prescriptive pricing initiative, driving $23 million in sustained EBITDA year-over-year.
• Reduced customer churn rate by more than 300 bps (15% to 12%) via prescriptive modeling and Salesforce activation program.
• Built industry-first one-to-one direct marketing campaign for a suite of high-potential customers, effectively providing both significant and sustainable incremental sales. 
• Developed and rolled-out industry-first CPG data and analytics commercialization platform, enabling collaboration across nearly 200 vendors while delivering $10 million in annual EBITDA.

TRUE VALUE COMPANY, Chicago, Illinois

Senior Director, Loyalty Marketing, 2008-2011

Led loyalty, direct, and CRM’s ten-person team and managed store owner advisory groups. Rebuilt customer data framework leveraging dimensional data model. Introduced company’s first statistics-based models for customer targeting, assortment management, and promotion allocation. Created best-customer recognition program, driving a 1% increase in profitable incremental sales while fostering improvement in both customer NPS and co-op member satisfaction. Designed curriculum for co-op member promotion and direct marketing skills development, certifying 900-plus members for store-level customer marketing. Managed CRM system selection and deployment to corporate/field sales org.

INFORMATION RESOURCES, INC., Chicago, Illinois

Vice President, Customer Analytics, 2005-2008

Created and spearheaded retail customer-centric analytics practice, managing 25-plus hybrid on- and off-shore team of data engineers, statisticians, and strategists. Clients included Walmart, Costco, CVS, Family Dollar, Food Lion, Ahold USA, and HEB. Redesigned and facilitated change management, program measurement, customer-specific offer, and promotional pricing engines for clients. Served as business development and consulting executive for team generating $15 million annually, serving to improve core IRI product revenue by up to $35 million. Developed commercialized segmentation and predictive analytics products suite.

PREVISION MARKETING, Lincoln, Massachusetts

Senior Account Director, Retail and B2B Loyalty Analytics, 2001-2005

BUZZ MSP, DIVINE INTERVENTURES (VC), Chicago, Illinois

Senior Director, Marketing and CRM, 2000-2001

FOOTE CONE & BELDING, IMPACT DIRECT & PROMOTION, Chicago, Illinois

Account Director, 1999-2000

LEO BURNETT COMPANY, Chicago, Illinois

Account Supervisor, Direct and Promotion, 1998-1999

PRODUCE FOR BETTER HEALTH FOUNDATION, Newark, Delaware

Director of Development, 1995-1998

PRODUCE MARKETING ASSOCIATION, Newark, Delaware

Headquarters Services Manager, 1990-1995

University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware

B.A., Political Science, 1990