September 27, 2021
Bay Food Brokerage is excited to introduce our new Director of Deli & Emerging Business, Erin McCulloch-Crume! A highly educated food industry professional, Erin joins our food brokerage company with more than 15 years’ experience in manufacturing, sales, marketing and product management.
In her new role, Erin will focus on continuing to grow the perishable side of the brokerage business by bringing on new food manufacturer clients. She will also collaborate with our food brokerage company’s clients and deli teams at existing retailer partners. This means leading Bay Food Brokerage’s deli sales team in growing sales and gaining new placement in the Southeast.
“It’s rare to find someone with Erin’s combination of extensive education and experience at all levels of the food supply chain,” said Cammie Chatterton, owner, president and CEO of Bay Food Brokerage. “She’s able to offer out-of-the-box thinking and creative solutions to help our clients succeed. We’re thrilled she’s joined the Bay Food family.”
Professional Background & Education
Prior to joining our food brokerage company, Erin served as national account manager at Reser’s Fine Foods. Reser’s is a manufacturer and distributor of fresh and refrigerated prepared foods. There, she worked with retailers such as Publix, Southeastern Grocers, Harris Teeter, The Fresh Market, Ahold Delhaize USA and Aldi to grow sales through strong collaboration. The company recognized her as National Sales Manager of the Year in 2020.
Prior to Reser’s, she worked as senior business development manager at SVZ. SVZ produces and supplies fruit and vegetable ingredients to food manufacturers. In this role, she oversaw inside sales, project management, marketing and business development departments, and worked closely with farmers.
Her career in the food industry began at Dot Foods, the largest food re-distributor in North America. There, she earned direct experience with the food supply chain. When she left the company, she was business development manager – new suppliers retail channel. She was Dot Foods’ Regional Sales Manager of the Year in 2015 and 2016.
Erin holds a bachelor’s degree in finance, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a master’s degree in supply chain, logistics and operations, all from Fontbonne University. She is a member of the Carolinas Food Industry Council(CFIC) and Grocery Manufacturers’ Representatives (GMR).
Why the move to a food brokerage company?
“I’m excited to take this next step in my career, with a leading retail food brokerage company here in the Southeast,” Erin said. “The industry is always evolving, and Bay Food Brokerage is constantly re-investing in both technology and people. This ensures we’re the best advocates for our clients and our retail partners.”
Get to Know Erin
- What might someone be surprised to learn about you?
I am a small-town girl, growing up in Central Missouri, where my favorite pastime was spending time out at my grandparents’ farm. We had cows, horses, pigs, and quite a few dogs and cats. My cousins and I would love to play in the hay loft and feed the cows salt licks.
- If you could meet anyone in the world, living or deceased, who would it be, and why?
Ruth Bader Ginsburg. I admire that she never gave up on her dream to follow her passion and break down barriers that so many before her could not figure out how to do. She changed the way society and the law view women’s rights. And she did it all while keeping family first, not wavering from her true self.
- What are some small things that make your day better?
My son’s little hand in mine. The look our French Bulldog, Abel, gives me when he wants some attention. Hearing my husband tell me about his day. And a nice glass of red wine!
- What’s your favorite food?
Italian. If I could eat pasta and bread every day, I would!
- What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Where this is an issue, there is opportunity. Look at every problem with a solution lens and get creative on solving the problem. This is how you become a true partner versus just another salesperson.