Open to opportunities

David Schroeder

@davidschroeder

Message

I build CPG and beverage brands, products, and sales strategies that drive growth.

United States

Message

What I'm looking for

I'm looking to build and scale CPG and beverage brands through product innovation, brand architecture, and commercial strategy, working cross-functionally to create rapid, high-impact market solutions.

I've built and scaled beverage and CPG products across Fitzcarraldo, Sthesia, Diageo/Guinness, Clear Water Distilling, and Third Coast Coffee Roasting. At Fitzcarraldo, I lead an agile FMCG/CPG agency spanning product formulation, brand architecture, and selling strategy for beer, coffee, spirits, and non-alcoholic brands.

My work has included launching 10 brands at Sthesia, rebranding five SKUs to unlock 32% year-over-year growth at Clear Water Distilling, and building Guinness Genius to support quality troubleshooting across more than 25,000 accounts. I combine product development, commercial strategy, CRM design, and cross-functional leadership to bring high-impact products to market quickly.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Founder & Managing Partner

Current

Fitzcarraldo

Jan 2024 - Present (2 years 7 months)

Founded an agile FMCG/CPG agency leveraging AI-powered tools to reduce turnaround times and overhead costs. Direct operations across product formulation, brand architecture, and selling strategy.

AI Formulation Brand Architecture FMCG CPG

Current

Product Manager

Current

Sthesia

Jan 2023 - Present (3 years 7 months)

Lead brand architecture and selling strategy for products leveraging innovative extraction technology. Successfully spun up 10 distinct brands, with 4 currently shipped and active in the market.

Brand Architecture Cross Functional Collaboration Distribution

Vice President of Sales

Clear Water Distilling

Jan 2024 - Dec 2025 (1 year 11 months)

Led cross-functional teams to rebrand 5 SKUs in-house, unlocking 32% YOY growth. Developed selling programs and created expansion plans for nationwide and international distribution.

Sales Strategy Marketing CRM Accounting Distribution Team Leadership

Sr. Strategy Manager, Customer Success

Diageo (Guinness)

Jan 2014 - Dec 2024 (10 years 11 months)

Built video troubleshooting app Guinness Genius, resulting in 22% increase in wholesaler engagement. Invented high-altitude Mountain Spout and brokered a mandate for Texas's largest grocery chain.

Strategy Customer Success Product Development Packaging Marketing Distribution

Director of Research & Development

Third Coast Coffee Roasting

Jan 2011 - Dec 2013 (2 years 11 months)

Analyzed market trends to develop a new multi-channel product (nitro cold brew) and managed all facets of R&D. Distributed 100 additional kegs a week, grossing $400K in revenue.

Market Research Product Development R&D Nitro Cold Brew

Director of Operations | Head Brewer

Independence Brewing Company

Jan 2010 - Dec 2012 (2 years 11 months)

Evolved from packaging to cellaring to head brewer, managing inventory and $300K in ingredients. Grew IBC from 3 production employees to 20 subordinate roles, producing 2,500 to 11K barrels during tenure.

Operations Management Brewing Inventory Management Team Leadership