Harmless Harvest is a leading brand in the organic and sustainable beverage industry, with a focus on coconut-based products.
I was coming off the farm and seeking a job squarely within my passions. Drawn to the founders’ commitment to regenerative agriculture and fair trade, I joined the company year one when there were fewer than ten full-time employees and operations were run out of a basement in Park Slope, Brooklyn. This gave me the opportunity to manage projects that connected everything from R&D, design, to sales and marketing.
Northeast SalesMaintained highest demo sales in the country and helped team exceed regional annual sales target by 45%. Achieved unique relationship with Whole Foods Market and initiated and oversaw placement expansion - at one point becoming the fastest selling SKU in our WFM region. Opened and maintained key accounts and spearheaded Walgreens launch. Hired and trained demo staff. Booked and organized demos and outreach events.
ManufacturingAnalyzed and improved the High-Pressure Processing system at both the East and West Coast manufacturing facilities. Oversaw the production and quality of millions of bottles. Designed and executed food safety sampling protocol. Trained production managers.
CostcoResponsible for Harmless Harvest’s introduction into Costco. Initiated and maintained strategic relationships with warehouse managers, associates, and the Club Demonstrations Services team. Led internal sales and demo teams in exceeding all sales targets. Maintained scheduling and payroll.
Raw TeaSelected to lead an innovative raw tea product line. Participated in R&D and brand design. Created and adapted tea formulations. Designed manufacturing SOPs. Trained and managed production staff. Supported national sales team with in-market activations and trade shows.
Awards
Best of 2013 – BevNET (Raw Tea)
2014 Product of the Year – BevNET (Coconut Water)
“Jonny Boss was a member of a small and ambitious Harmless Harvest team in 2012, where he was leading project implementation. Jonny's creativity, imagination and people skills were an irreplaceable part of the founders’ vision for team development, new products time-to-market, cost reduction and quality improvements. Without any or very little help from other team members (everybody busy in an ultra-dynamic and challenging start up environment) Jonny possessed and further developed all necessary insights to move the entire company forward. After many sleepless hours, relentless traveling, negotiation with co-packers and HPP service providers, and various other outside forces, Jonny managed to implement a brand new functional beverage line: 100% HPP Raw Teas. Working with Jonny was a real pleasure; he is the person bringing light in day-to-day grey office environment. Hard worker, always problem solving with a smile, witty and sophisticated, Jonny is perfect team member in any environment.”
-Stilian Halembakov, Supply Chain Director at FreshRealm (formally Supply Manager at Harmless Harvest)
“Jonny Boss is like the Dude’s rug…he really ties the room together. He was an instrumental part of the Harmless Harvest team and we truly would not have been able to achieve the volume and success we had without him. His sales at demos were a key part in building out our Wholefoods program nationwide. Jonny has an ability to engage with customers, buyers and team members that is inherently special. He keeps the team calm, motivated and on track. Everyone adores him and it shows in the company dynamics. You would be lucky if you get the opportunity to work with him or have him on your team.”
-Rebecca Bernard, Founder & CEO at Empire City Brand Builders (formally Northeast Region Sales Manager at Harmless Harvest)