Rafael Romero

Operations Director with 30+ years leading complex, multi-site and binational operations across manufacturing, retail and contract logistics. Proven ability to scale operations with financial discipline and engaged teams — without breaking organizational culture in the process. Track record of cultural transformation with direct financial impact, P&L management of $6M+ USD annually, leadership of teams up to 250 people, and strategic decision-making under pressure.

Extensive experience managing world-class retail clients including The Home Depot and Lowe's.

Operations Director at Ravenna Pottery (2014-12 – Present)

Full oversight of binational manufacturing operation: 2 production facilities in Mexico and 3 distribution centers in Laredo, Texas. Full P&L ownership, artisan supply chain, international logistics and commercial relationship with The Home Depot and Lowe's.

• Designed a performance scoring system for 18 artisan workshops based on delivery history and installed capacity — replacing informal verbal commitments, reducing overtime in production and packaging, and sustaining 98% OTIF with strategic retail clients.
• During COVID-19 pandemic (2020), made counter-cyclical decision to open proprietary workshops to offset reduced artisan capacity, increasing weekly shipments from 8 to 10-12 trucks (+50%) and capturing extraordinary demand from Home Depot and Lowe's.
• Redesigned pallet configuration at Texas DCs — from single-SKU to mixed, stackable pallets — optimizing inventory levels, enabling mixed-SKU order fulfillment and improving storage utilization across all 3 facilities.
• P&L management with monthly operating budget of ~$500K USD ($9M MXN), leading a workforce of 100-250 people depending on seasonal demand.
• Implemented SOPs, operational KPIs and a cross-functional organizational structure aligned to international corporate standards.

Operations Director at Maui Jim Sunglasses de México (2006-10 – 2014-11)

Full management of the Mexican subsidiary of a premium American brand: operations, logistics, finance, customer service, marketing and national distribution. Direct reporting to corporate headquarters in Peoria, Illinois.

• Transformed collections culture without disrupting the brand's Aloha Spirit: redesigned incentive structures to integrate receivables KPIs, reducing past-due days from 290 to 45 — unlocking ~$6.5M USD in working capital.
• Delivered sustained revenue growth of 12% YoY over 7 consecutive years with 99.5% on-time delivery (next-day) and top-tier customer satisfaction ratings.
• Reduced NPL ratio from 45% (2007) to 2.5% (2014) on invoices over 60 days past due, lowering DSO from 90 to 75 days.
• Achieved 30% reduction in import costs by leveraging trade agreements with Japan and Europe.
• Optimized strategic inventory, achieving a back-order rate below 0.5%.

Operations Director at Latitud X (2002-11 – 2006-08)

Directed logistics, inventory control, international trade, procurement and product development. Oversaw contractor workshops including synchronization, supervision and standardization of production processes.

• Improved warehouse productivity by 35%, directly increasing on-time order fulfillment.
• Fully outsourced delivery network with high-quality carriers meeting corporate and client standards.
• Standardized processes across contracted manufacturing workshops, ensuring quality consistency and on-time delivery.

General Director & Founder at Candelería Moderna (1997-08 – 2002-10)

Founded and directed a candle and decorative products manufacturing company. Full responsibility from plant design and financing to operations and commercial launch.

• Launched operations in under 1 year, 5% under approved budget.
• Achieved 7% annual sales growth in first 2 years, supplying supermarkets, department stores and wholesale clubs.

Operations Associate at Velas Artísticas (1993 – 1997)

• Re-engineered corporate operations and implemented quality standards and continuous improvement systems.

Industrial Engineering in Industrial Engineering – ITESO — Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Occidente (1989 – 1993)

Executive Course in Project Management – Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) — Cambridge, MA

Corporate Certification in Supply Chain Management – Maui Jim Corporate Office — Peoria, Illinois