Mark O'Connor

Respected executive with distinguished experience leading operations, facilitating trainings, and launching initiatives that target security and compliance objectives. Superb communication skills, able to diffuse crises and mitigate risks, as well as formulate policies and redesign processes to drive the culture throughout a global organization. A strategic thinker acting with integrity to manage corporate interests and lead cross functional teams.

Director of Risk Management & Real Estate - Arterra Wines Canada - Canada

(2019-01)

Presently, I am at the helm of Enterprise Risk and real estate management for all corporate, production, hospitality, and retail operations throughout Canada. Additionally, I serve as the central authority for Compliance, overseeing all aspects of regulatory management under its purview.

• Coordinated all facets of Crisis Management pertaining to COVID-19 while designated an essential service by the government.
• Initiated a retail loss prevention program for all retail Wine Rack stores and Estate Wineries. Eliminated violent interactions to zero incidents while structuring a strong inventor control system
• Spearheaded the implementation of a comprehensive Enterprise Risk Management system for the organization, ensuring end-to-end coverage and effectiveness for the board.
• Established a national Facility & Real Estate Management Team to oversee multiple production sites and over 160 retail operations nationwide. Achieved a significant cost savings of $3.2 million within the first 60 days through strategic project implementations.

Head of Risk Management & Compliance – Security, Quality, Safety, Environment - DB Schenker of Canada - Canada

(2016-01 - 2019-12)

Led corporate compliance efforts, overseeing the development, implementation, and administration of programs, policies, and practices encompassing asset protection, loss control, claims management, quality, environment, and contract administration. Provided strategic guidance to senior leadership on compliance initiatives, conducting root cause analysis to preemptively tackle potential issues, and ensuring operational alignment to drive organizational objectives. Responsible for the overall Compliance umbrella culture directly impacting the growth of business within Canada.

Working closely in various industries to assist in the development of the global Security and Risk environment. Responsible for the oversight of the Corporate Parent Company's (DB) internal audit program.

• Mitigated risk exposure through development of a new contract management process with a central deposit; improved customer / vendor contract compliance, and reduced customer claims
• Developed an in-house security screening program for Schenker Canada merging both technology and compliance operating procedures. Year over year savings of over $850K.
• Boosted the sale of cargo insurance by 15% while reducing the overall broker fees and adding better coverage to the company at large
• Introduced a standardized third-party security compliance program for customers, carriers, and suppliers; reduced the number of carriers by 20% and significantly dropping our loss ratio with our insurer to 2.5% where other countries are seeing above 50%.
• Deployed a country-wide security compliance program for the Controlled Goods Directorate (Canadian version of ITAR); reorganizing the internal risk audit reporting to include all third-party audits.

Vice President, Security, Quality, H&S, Environment / Risk & Compliance - Kuehne + Nagel Ltd - Mississauga, ON

(2007-01 - 2016-12)

Contributed to the executive team, leading several senior direct reports to provide oversight of processes and procedure relating to diverse business operations to reduce risk in multiple compliance areas (security, health and safety, quality, and sustainability). Served as a trusted advisor regarding the legal implication of contractual and regulatory issues, ensuring national compliance. Additionally, oversaw purchasing and procurement and coordinated internal/external investigations nation-wide.

• Handled industry-wide anti-trust/corruption cases, driving significant monetary costs and mitigating losses through the coordination of all legal and federal bureau communications.
• Delivered 100% compliance pass rate for external audits ISO 9001, 14001, OHSAS 18001, COR (Alberta), & SSAE Type II (SOX).
• Deployed a web-based non-conformance tool (CAPA), and security incident reporting / accident reporting tool to locations across 170 countries; improved standardization of processes and compliance with customer assets.
• Orchestrated a $6M office relocation project inclusive of 400 employees and five locations; achieved major milestones, fostering team-work and cross-team collaboration to drive results.
• Spearheaded health, safety, and environmental (HSE) programs, policies, and trainings across 29 offices and warehouse locations across Canada; exceeded legislative requirement year after year.

Regional Security Manager USA/Canada - DHL Global Forwarding - Mississauga, ON

Auxiliary Police Constable - Toronto Police Services - Toronto, ON

Secondary School Teacher - Dufferin Peel Catholic Schools - Mississauga, ON

President, Board Member - Oakville Baseball (OBA) - Oakville, ON

PSI Program Advisory Committee - Sir Sanford Fleming College - Peterborough, ON

Bachelor of Arts - Anthropology - University of Western Ontario