SUMMARY OVERVIEW
A seasoned COO, President and General Manager with strong hands-on experience across all functional areas. Recognized for an ability to manage within high change environments, offering more than twenty-six years of diversified and increasingly responsible experience.
Developed and lead multiple organizations through broad based strategic changes combined with significant integration, cost reduction and restructuring. Maintained high employee moral and focus through a personal commitment to high integrity, honesty and open communication.
Particularly adept at creating value through strategic development combined with strong execution.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
VITALITY FOODSERVICE, INC., Tampa FL, USA (formerly a division of Vitality Beverages, Inc.)
President and Chief Operating Officer 2001 To 2003
An international leader in dispensed beverages to the food service trade. Vitality Foodservice, Inc. was formed due to the financial restructuring process for Vitality Beverages, Inc. that began in October 2001.
VITALITY BEVERAGES, INC., Tampa FL, USA
President and Chief Operating Officer 2000 To 2001
A $600MM Company formed through the leveraged buy-out of Lykes/Pasco beverages in 1999.
Developed and executed strategy for long term value creation:
· Drove the development of a radically new business strategy that addressed consumer, customer and dispensing trends
· Moved the Canadian operations from self distribution to broadline distribution and became Sysco/Serca exclusive provider for dispensers, service and product
· Focused European operations on self manufacture and business independence to achieve customer alignment and growth
· Launched highly successful new products and dispensing platforms that stabilized volume in the post 911 environment
· Developed and financially verified a North American manufacturing strategy that will move Vitality Foodservice, Inc. to supply chain independence in 2004.
· Re-aligned organizational structure in Canada, US and Europe to achieve strategic goals
Implemented broad based structural change across operations:
· Successfully integrated McCain Citrus, a $200mm acquisition
· Outsourced highly complex dispenser manufacturing division and shuttered Zephyrhills facility (the corresponding assembly plant)
· Shuttered Bartow processing plant and relocated key product lines to Barrie, Ontario facilities
· Closed down company owned freight lines and outsourced volume to independent freight lines
· Consolidated three Canadian plants to two operations in Surrey, B.C. and Barrie, Ontario
Significantly improved financial performance using E.V.A. techniques, controls, systems and general cost reduction:
· Identified and fixed uncontrolled trade spending through rigorous procedures and processes across the company
· Developed and implemented a dispenser asset/service tracking system that dramatically improved capital investment and reduced on-going expenses
· Renegotiated key distributor programs that reduced working capital by 50% and increased margin by 20%
· Divested non-core product lines, eliminated over 750 sku’s and withdrew from unprofitable regions and countries
· Reduced overheads, manufacturing costs and licensing costs by over $8mm
· Launched the Helm System as the key precursor to on-line management of customer profitability
Re-structured bank debt and ownership:
· Steered the company through a long complex debt-restructuring to achieve manageable debt and financing load
· Prepared and presented all key bank and supply chain proposals for restructuring over a drawn out two year process
· Managed cash and business development to ensure financial viability, market place confidence and bank co-operation
· Completed successful restructuring , September 27, 2003
PILLSBURY BAKERIES AND FOOD SERVICE, Minneapolis MN, USA
Vice President and General Manager 1996 To 2000
PBFS is a 1$billion division of the Pillsbury Company focused on developing sales and markets in “non-retail channels.”
Completed strategic acquisitions resulting in substantial improvement in economic profits for several divisions:
· Joined in August of 1996 as Vice President and General Manager for the Wholesale Bakery Division
· Assumed additional responsibilities for In-Store and Retail Bakery Division in January 1997. Sales responsibilities totaled $700mm
· Improved division performance and economic profit in the In-store Bakery Division by over 40% in one year
· Lead two major acquisitions and was fully accountable for the integration of both businesses totaling over $400mm in sales
· Lead Pillsbury division in applying EVA techniques to drive bottom line performance
· Recognized as one of Pillsbury’s top ten officers world wide
· Chosen as one of three officers to represent Pillsbury in developing worldwide Diageo Strategy
· Chosen by Paul Walsh, CEO of Pillsbury to be one of three officers to join him for the first day of trading for Diageo on the NYSE
QUAKER OATS COMPANY, Rochester NY/Chicago IL, USA
Vice President and General Manager 1992 To 1996
Joined Quaker Oats in 1992 for a second time, to lead marketing effort and restructuring for the RSA Division in Rochester, N.Y.:
· Re-designed production and pricing models to dramatically increase bottom line performance
· In recognition of performance was promoted to Business Leader after six months and a year later was Promoted to Vice President and Corporate Officer for Quaker Oats Company in Chicago IL
· Assumed general management responsibilities for Continental Coffee in April 1995
· Improved division performance and implemented strategic and tactical plans for market growth
· Returned this highly distressed and unprofitable division to stability and profitability within 14 months; improved overall division performance and improved bottom line from -$10mm to +2mm during this period
MCCAIN FOODS CANADA LTD, Florenceville NB, Canada
Director of Marketing 1987 To 1992
A privately owned +3 $billion food company offering products and services worldwide.
· Joined McCain Foods as Director of Marketing for Canada in January 1987
· Developed key performance indicators for Marketing Department for the purpose of measurement and margin enhancement
· Appointed to head the retail launch of McCain products in Japan in 1990; launched McCain’s first retail product in Osaka and Tokyo.
· Was recognized for establishing the most aggressive and successful retail new product program in the companies history
· Assumed responsibility for developing all new forecasting and production models for Canada
· Represented the company on key agricultural committees and industry associations in New Brunswick
QUAKER OATS COMPANY, Peterborough ON, Canada
Retail Brand Management 1977 To 1987
· Joined Quaker Oats Company in May 1977 as a marketing assistant for their new products division
· Key player in the introduction of Life Cereal, Corn Bran Cereal and Quaker Granola Bars
· Recognized for outstanding achievements and was promoted to Assistant Brand Manager for hot cereals in 1977; Brand Manager for cat food in 1978; Brand Manager for dog food in 1979; Brand Manager for hot and cold cereals in 1980; Brand Manager for new products in 1981; Group Product Manager foods in 1983 and Group Products Manager pet food in 1985
· Premier accomplishments focused on the successful launch of key new products that sustained profitable growth for Quaker through the 80’s to present days
· Achieved strong classic training in marketing, brand management and business development
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
Through high school and college worked in heavy industry, forestry and industry based laboratories to finance post secondary education
EDUCATION
1978 MASTER IN BUSINESS ADMINSTRATION, Queens University, Ontario, Canada
1976 BACHELORS IN CHEMISTRY, Queens University, Ontario, Canada |
