Fortune 200 Executive with extensive international experience in NA, Europe, China. Proven record at creating value and driving top line, margin expansion, EVA, strategic and business planning, product and program management, new market penetration, strategic alliances and business development activities. |
Executive with a proven record at supporting profitable growth on a global basis by developing and maintaining a competitive product portfolio and effective routes to market. Strong global background with work and life experiences in France, Canada, USA and China. Strategic leader with successful experiences building up organizations and setting up growth strategies.
Key strengths:
• Build up organizations: Proven track record in developing and structuring organizations and placing them on growth mode
• Proven ability to drive business decision process and lead execution: Evaluate options and make investment trade-offs between customers, products and markets driven by P&L, EVA, cash flow and payback analysis.
• Effective business strategist: Drive competitiveness by forcing the use of standard product and process platforms to optimize cost with design variability control, global sourcing, and manufacturing flexibility including low cost footprint.
• Solid experience in identifying roads to market: Compare make, buy or partner strategy. Built formal (JV’s, M&A) and informal strategic alliances to grow global business with strong focus on Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Indian markets.
• Thrives at building collaborative relationships: Strong leadership skills managing effectively cross-functional teams across cultural lines.
Strategic Planning - Growth Strategies - Product Life Cycle Management Program Management - General Management - Market Penetration - Sales - Financial Analysis - P&L - EVA - Business Development - Joint Venture - Strategic Alliance - Due Diligence - Merger & Acquisition - Asia-Pacific
Professional Experience and Accomplishments
HEF USA (Springfield, OH) 8/2008 to Present
$200 million global company specialized in tribology, surface treatment and specialized bushings
President, NAFTA Region
P&L responsibility for the $12 million region. Develop processes and operational capabilities to become preferred supplier to the Fortune 1000 companies in the US and Mexico.
* On track to achieve positive cash flow.
* Successfully implemented CQI9 quality system and drove ISO9001-2008 certification.
* Rationalized cost structure and implemented 5S and lean manufacturing elements.
* Started production of $1.5M of jobbing business for automotive and appliance companies in the US and Mexico.
* Set up distribution / manufacturing footprint in Mexico through acquisition and JV.
TRW Automotive 1992 – 2007
A $16 billion tier 1 automotive supplier
Vice President, Product Planning (Livonia, Michigan) - 10/2006 to 10/2007
Managed a global team of 14 directors and managers responsible for the product management of a $11 billion portfolio of automotive safety (braking, steering, airbag, seat belt) and electronic control products. Controlled over $3 million budget. Reported product initiatives and forecasted business outcomes to CEO.
* Revised strategies for 3 specific products using cross-functional / cross-regional efforts and forcing global product & process standardizations, maximum re-use of existing design blocks and capital investments, LCC manufacturing footprint and global sourcing resulting in 2% incremental growth and 4% margin improvement.
* Entrenched the use of product /market planning gates to assess new product ideation and value proposition using scenario analysis / trade-offs which resulted in 5% core engineering budget reduction in 2007.
Vice President, Business Development, Asia-Pacific (Shanghai, China) - 8/2004 to 9/2006
The mission included a) the re-assessment of existing joint ventures versus WFOE, b) M&A activities, c) growth strategy development for China and India and d) the repositioning of the Occupant Safety Systems (OSS) business in Asia-Pacific. In parallel led the global $3.5 billion OSS product planning function while in expatriate assignment.
* Realigned the OSS product portfolio in China to account for the growth of low end segments and the emergence of local brands which resulted in 30% profitability improvement and 3% market share gain.
* Drove a localization plan worth $30 million investment including MOU with local Chinese partners, feasibility and financial studies, deal negotiations and local/central government approvals.
* Led comprehensive pre-acquisition operational and financial evaluations of 2 potential acquisitions in India. Re-energized an existing joint venture in India by bringing $25 million of new business.
* Won $50 million of Japanese business by negotiating a cooperation agreement with a Japanese competitor.
Director Product Planning, Occupant Safety Systems (Washington, Michigan) - 12/2001 to 7/2004
Promoted to lead on a global basis the OSS product planning and business development activities.
* Created a joint venture with Michelin for a new product: $100 million sales within 4 years of operations.
* Provided leadership to product workshops and detailed benchmarking activities leading to the identification of 15% manufacturing cost reduction opportunities.
* Won approval to set up a WOFE plant in Shanghai ($25 million investment) to localize electronic products. Localization in China and activities in Korea resulted in incremental sales in excess of $200 million/year.
* Added airbags/steering wheels in an existing 50/50 joint venture in China which resulted in $30 million incremental sales and a controlling 60% equity position.
Director Product Planning, Automotive Electronics (Farmington Hills, Michigan) - 2/2000 to 11/2001
Returning to TRW was appointed to lead the strategic planning for the global safety/convenience electronics business ($500 million) and to manage 9 managers responsible for product planning and business development.
* Sponsored and negotiated a $7 million equity investment in a technology provider to support the addition of occupant sensing to the safety electronics product portfolio.
* Secured $25 million sales/year outside Korea by negotiating a licensing agreement with a Korean company.
TM4 Inc. – Montreal (Quebec, Canada) - 6/1999 to 1/2000
Vice President, Marketing
Left TRW for a start-up company which was developing a motorwheel-based drive for electric vehicles.
* Within 4 months of being recruited closed an engineering / marketing partnership agreement with Michelin.
TRW Automotive Electronics Group (Farmington Hills, Michigan)
Director Market & Product Planning (global) - 12/1998 to 5/1999
Led the strategic, market and product planning function for the $600 million global electronics group.
* Designed and implemented a web-based tool to centralize and communicate product strategies internally.
Director Sales & Programs, North-America - 9/1996 to 11/1998
Managed quote development cycle, program financials and production follow up (quality, delivery, warranty) for the European accounts.
* Booked over $50 million incremental yearly business with Mercedes, VW, Rover and Fiat.
Director Steering Electronics (global) - 12/1994 to 8/1996
Was instrumental in getting into control electronics for steering applications (intra-company business). Developed the value proposition: put together a 10 years investment proposal including sales projections, global product definition, transfer pricing, implementation strategy, capital investment and P&L forecasts.
* New activity resulted in the awards of 2 programs worth $30 million.
* Performed sales and program management functions: led over 30 people in North-America and Europe.
Director Product Planning & Acting Director of Program Management - 5/1992 to 11/1994
(Electronics Convenience Systems, North-America)
Led the $220 million business unit strategic planning process, product strategies and program management team responsible for the successful execution of production launches, from business award to manufacturing start-up.
* Managed over 70 people to launch successfully 29 programs worth over $550 million cumulative revenues.
* Increased customer satisfaction by the systematic use of Quality Operating System measurements and consistent problem-solving practices.
SDRC - A $200 million provider of CAE software tools and Engineering Services 1983 - 1992
General Manager, Southern Europe (France) - Created the regional office in 1989 and held P&L responsibility. Recruited high level consultants and achieved break-even performance one year ahead of plan.
Automotive Industry Manager (UK/France) – Secured $1.5 million long-term engine simulation contract.
Project Manager (Michigan) - Improved vehicle crashworthiness performance using finite element techniques.
Bertin & Cie – Paris (France) 1981 - 1983
R&D Engineer
Education
* BS, Mechanical Engineering, Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Electricité et de Mécanique, University of Nancy, France
* Former Officer, French Navy
* Languages: English (Fluent), French (Mother)
* 6 Sigma: Green Belt
* Member, Society of Automotive Engineers |
