MARINA DEL REY, Calif. -- Marley Coffee has announced the addition of Chris Hopkins as senior vice president of national accounts. In his new role, Hopkins, who has more than 20 years of food and beverage sales experience, will be responsible for continuing to expand distribution of Marley Coffee through supermarkets, specialty retailers and convenience stores throughout the United States.
Prior to joining Marley Coffee, Hopkins paved the way for Marley Beverages as senior vice president of national accounts, securing distributions and partnerships with 80 of the top 100 retail outlets, including 7-Eleven, Kroger and Wegmans, which helped drive Marley's Mellow Mood relaxation beverage first-year sales of one million cases, which has grown to almost three million cases after two years in the market.
In addition to his work with Marley Beverages, Hopkins spent 13 years at Dr Pepper Snapple Group (previously Cadbury Beverages), where he helped start and develop their category management team within their distribution network, and eventually into top national accounts. He also secured several, first ever, strategic partnerships with Kroger, Safeway, Target, Food Lion and Meijer, where he placed teams on site with retailers to help drive significant sales through translating consumer insights into action on shelving, pricing, innovation and promotional strategies for most beverage categories.
Hopkins has also worked with Fleming Foods and Kellogg Sales Co.
"I'm thrilled to be a part of the Marley Coffee movement, and expect to be able to take this brand to the next level nationally," said Hopkins. "I really believe in Marley Coffee's products and values, and I believe retailers will understand and appreciate the opportunity to carry Marley Coffee in their stores."
The company also said that it has expanded its product lineup of premium, gourmet coffee and teas, and it has added Marley Coffee RealCup--compatible cartridges for use in most models of the Keurig-brand K-Cup brewing system.
Marley Coffee (corporate name Jammin Java Corp.) is a Marina Del Rey, Calif.-based company that provides premium, artisan roasted coffee to the retail, online, service, hospitality, office coffee service and big-box store industry. Under its exclusive licensing agreement with 56 Hope Road, the company continues to develop its coffee lines under the Marley Coffee brand.
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