Chief Financial Officer / Vice President Finance
CFO / Treasurer / Controller / International Operations / Financial Planning & Analysis / Multi-Lingual / Corporate Performance Management / Budgeting / Forecasting / Strategic Planning / Risk Management / Working Capital / Cash Management / Forecasting / Accounting / Business Intelligence / Startups / Fortune 500 / Project Management / Manufacturing / Hi-Tech / Cost Accounting / Wholesale Distribution / Compliance / Turnaround Experience
Senior financial executive with extensive experience both in domestic and international environments. Turned around organizations utilizing diverse experience in finance, operations, and business development. Strategic business partner creating business processes supporting startup, growth and / or complex operations. Consistently successful in increasing profitability by quickly assessing situations and implementing effective solutions.
• Over 20 years of experience driving and implementing both the strategic planning and corporate performance managemetn processes for several organizations.
• Implemented SOX compliance and culture of “internal control”, while improving working capital management at Sirona USA.
• Successfully contributed on setting up a new manufacturing operation for the Van division in the U.S.
• Developed financial model, successfully launching and positioning the Sprinter Van into the U.S. market within two years.
• Increased profits $11M in three years by reengineering Mercedes-Benz Latin American operations.
• Increased ROCE (ROI) $11.9M in two years through tighter financial controls at a manufacturing operation in Mexico.
• Implemented vendor financing programs generating $27.5M in sales internationally.
Languages: Fluent in Spanish and German. Conversational in Portuguese.
Career History
Nutrac Partners Global, LLC (Nutrac). – A C-Level Consulting firm, specialized in helping companies uncover pain, diagnosing problems and implementing proven solutions in the areas of Corporate Financial Planning, Budgeting, Forecasting, Management Reporting, Working Capital Management, Risk Management, and Business Intelligence.
President – Managing Partner, Charlotte, NC Jan 2011 - present
Vice President – Managing Partner, Charlotte, NC, Mar 2009 – Dec 2010
Realigned vision and strategic goals of this boutique-consulting firm in order to identify strengths and core competencies, redefined business scope, developed new business, and laid down the foundation for an orderly and sustainable growth. Responsible for establishing strategic alliances with outside business partners i.e. Adaptive Planning.
Work with organizations that have planning, budgeting, forecasting and reporting frustrations. Turning around processes, optimizing the use of resources, and enhancing planning quality and frequency.
Sirona Dental Systems, Inc., (NASDAQ: SIRO) Global manufacturer of hi-tech dental equipment. Headquartered in Long Island City, NY and Salzburg, Austria. Revenues: USD 700 million. Employees: 2,300.
Vice President Finance – U.S. Operations, Charlotte, NC, Dec. 2006 to Dec 2008.
Directly managed finance and accounting operations for the U.S. distribution business ($350 million in revenues). Led the Sarbanes-Oxley compliance process shortly after company became public in 2006. Improved key processes and strengthened internal controls. Spearheaded Operational Excellence Initiative in order to turn around U.S. operations, including taking advantage of synergies from U.S. merger. Improved working capital management by reducing inventories (improved ITO from 5.7 to 10 turns) and increasing collections (reduced DSOs from 76 to 53 days). Brought the company back into budgetary discipline. Researched and wrote several position papers on US-GAAP Revenue Recognition Practices for Hi-Tech Equipment, Software Products and Services.
DaimlerChrysler AG, (NYSE: DCX) International automotive company, 1993 to 2006.
Headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. 2005 Revenues: EUR 150 billion. Employees: 383,000
Chief Financial Officer – DaimlerChrysler Manufacturing International LLC, Charlotte, NC & Charleston, SC, 2003 to 2006.
The Business Unit Vans generated $10 billion in revenues worldwide. North American revenues for 2005 exceeded $600 million. Directly responsible for finance & controlling, procurement, human resources, IT and legal departments. Acting President/CEO for engineering services firm incorporated in 2003, for hosting of van assembly plant in the U.S. During that time participated in site selection, incentive negotiation, and feasibility study for plant project. Since mid 2005 involved in the start-up and construction of new manufacturing site. Secured funding for investment budget of over $50 million. Operation generated over $1 billion in revenues during the first full year of operation. Successfully implemented the SAP system.
Vice President Finance and Administration – DaimlerChrysler Vans, LLC, Charlotte, NC, 2001 to 2003.
Member of the Executive Team responsible for successfully introducing the Sprinter Van into the North American Van Market. Responsible for setting up legal entity in charge of wholesale operations in the U.S. market, including dealer network development and after-market support. Generated over $250 Mio in revenues during the first eighteen months of operations.
Vice President Finance and Administration – Mercedes-Benz Latina Inc., Miami, FL, 1998 to 2001.
The regional office for Latin America and the Caribbean was responsible for sales and marketing of Mercedes-Benz passenger cars and commercial vehicles throughout Latin America. The operation generated between $200 and $250 Mio in revenues annually. Directed all Finance, Controlling and Administration functions. Responsible for IT, HR and Legal. Assumed responsibility of New Business and Dealer Development function in 2000.
Manager Finance and Controlling – Mercedes-Benz AG, Stuttgart, Germany. 1996 to 1998.
Participated in an International Management Program with focus on Finance and Controlling. Performed Cost and Pricing analyses for the Controlling departments of both the Passenger Car and Commercial Vehicle Divisions. Assisted the Corporate Treasury department with global currency hedging strategy and execution. Managed foreign accounts (LATAM region) for the International Sales Financing department.
Treasurer – Mercedes-Benz Mexico, Santiago Tianguistenco, Mexico. 1993 to 1996.
Directed Cash Management, Bank Relationships, Financial Planning, FX and Exposure Controlling, Trade Financing, Credit and Collection, Dealer Financing and Export Financing, Risk Management and Taxes for a $250+ manufacturing and wholesale operation for passenger cars, heavy duty trucks, and buses with two locations in Mexico.
Sara Lee Corporation, Household and Personal Care Products Company headquartered in Chicago, IL. 1990 to 1993. Various positions at Mexican subsidiary: House of Fuller:
Treasurer – House of Fuller, S.A. de C.V., Mexico City, Mexico. 1992 to 1993.
Manager of Projects and Organization – House of Fuller, S.A. de C.V., Mexico City, Mexico. 1991 to 1992.
Chief Financial Assistant to International President – House of Fuller, S.A. de C.V., Mexico City, Mexico. 1990 to 1991.
G. Luna & Associates, Manager – Financial Planning. Export / import company, Mexico City, Mexico. 1989 to 1990.
American Express Company, Senior Business Analyst, Financial services / Travel related services company, Mexico City, Mexico. 1988 to 1989.
Banco de Mexico, Economist, Central bank / Government. Mexico City, Mexico. 1985 to 1988.
Selected Accomplishments
Turned around Sirona USA by implementing SOX compliance, a culture of “internal control”, and budgetary discipline, while improving working capital management.
The company had recently gone public (Sep 06), the operation had experienced double digit sales growth, outpacing operational infrastructure of the organization. Within a period of 18 months implemented SOX compliance, created culture of internal control, and reinforced key processes. Optimized working capital management and brought the company back into budgetary discipline. Improved working capital management by reducing inventories (improved ITO from 5.7 to 10 turns) and increasing collections (reduced DSOs from 76 to 53 days).
Successfully contributed on setting up a new manufacturing operation for the Van division in the U.S.
Involved in the site selection, incentive negotiation, feasibility study, and final approval for the construction of a new assembly plant for the Van division exclusively for the U.S. market. Coordinated all financial aspects of the project, including funding, budgeting, planning, costing, pricing, reporting, financial controls, taxes and incentives. Simultaneously initiated the implementation of the SAP system. Responsible for an investment budget of $50 Mio, and an operative budget of $20 million.
Developed financial model, successfully positioning Sprinter Van into the U.S. market within two years. Company needed to make significant capital investment to be able to introduce Sprinter Van into the U.S. Evaluated and calculated revenue, product / service costs and return on investment. Implemented proper financial systems and controls to establish and support expanding sales and service network and new market penetration.
Increased profits $11M in three years by reengineering Mercedes-Benz Latin American operations. General distributor network was in poor financial shape, with total receivables at $123M, and 198 days sales outstanding. Responsible for turning around financial situation of dealer operations: Introduced dealer monitoring tools including financial reporting, dealer standards, and customer satisfaction index. Established bonus system linked to objectives fulfillment. Performed financial and operational audits to improve cash flow and balance sheet management. Reduced DSO to 126 days and receivables by half. Gained market share across the region.
Tightened financial processes, increasing ROCE $11.9M in two years for Mercedes Benz Mexico. Charged with reducing liabilities and improving working capital while turning around the operation in the middle of the worst economic crisis ever experienced (1994-1996). Imposed more stringent credit terms and limits. Initiated debt reduction program and took action to reduce foreign currency exposure. Reduced accounts receivable by 86%, inventory by 66%, total liabilities by 71%, and working capital requirements by 77%.
Education - Certifications
BA, Economics - Universidad Panamericana, 1986
MBA, Accounting - University of Phoenix, 2006
CTP (Certified Treasury Professional) - Association for Financial Professionals, 2003
Memberships
Association for Financial Professionals
Institute of Management Accountants
Latin American Chamber of Commerce Charlotte - Board Member - Treasurer |
