Ryan Polansky
About Ryan Polansky
Ryan Polansky serves as the Manager of Pricing at US Foods, where he has worked since 2014, overseeing pricing strategies that impact approximately $1 billion in annual sales. He has a strong academic background in finance, holding a Ph.D. from Arizona State University and an MBA from Ohio University.
Work at US Foods
Ryan Polansky has served as the Manager of Pricing at US Foods since 2014, based in Las Vegas, NV. In this role, he manages a team of analysts responsible for developing pricing models that contribute to approximately $1 billion in annual sales of agricultural commodities across the US Southwest. His responsibilities include overseeing pricing strategies for various segments, including hospitality, retail, government, institutional, national chains, and the Las Vegas casino business. Polansky focuses on maximizing profitability through big data analytics and strategic activities, including managing price-based marketing spend.
Education and Expertise
Ryan Polansky holds a Bachelor's Degree in Finance from Ohio University, where he studied with honors. He also earned a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) from the same institution from 2005 to 2007. Additionally, he studied at Arizona State University’s W. P. Carey School of Business, achieving a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Finance ABD from 2006 to 2012. He furthered his education with a Master's Degree in International Management from ISTAO - Istituto Adriano Olivetti. His academic background provides a strong foundation for his expertise in pricing strategies and financial analysis.
Professional Background
Before joining US Foods, Ryan Polansky gained diverse experience in finance and management consulting. He worked as a Finance Research Associate at Arizona State University’s W. P. Carey School of Business from 2006 to 2012. His earlier roles included a Management Consulting Internship at the U.S. Small Business Administration and a Finance Research Assistant position at Ohio University. He also completed internships at Raymond James Financial Inc. and American Express Financial Advisors, as well as an Internal Audit position at Nantucket Island Resorts.
Technical Skills and Tools
In his role at US Foods, Ryan Polansky utilizes various analytical tools and programming languages to enhance pricing and data analysis. He employs Tableau, Oracle Discoverer, MS SQL, Excel, and VBA/C# on the .NET platform. His enjoyment of blending technical analysis with programming allows him to provide real-time market feedback, which significantly impacts the bottom line. This technical proficiency supports his efforts in developing pricing models and maximizing profitability.
Leadership and Team Development
Ryan Polansky emphasizes the importance of developing analyst talent and fostering workplace engagement within his team at US Foods. He aims to drive stakeholder satisfaction and retention through effective leadership. His focus on team dynamics and employee loyalty contributes to a productive work environment, which is essential for achieving the company's pricing and profitability objectives.