Jim Breese

Orchestrates transformational changes, saving operational costs and increasing productivity through best practices and Technology Implementations. Possesses strong global program and project management and analytical skills to drive operational efficiency and effectiveness, leading to improved productivity and cost reduction.

Acquired Deep

Finance best practices knowledge through many successful implementations.

Performs Finance Shared Service

Center business case development, design, implementation, and management. Deep process benchmarking, KPI, and process improvement skills. Strong IT program/project management skills as a program/project leader for Finance & Procurement systems implementations.

Background in Big 4 consulting, extensive international experience, fluency in Spanish. PMP and Lean Six Sigma Greenbelt certifications to support large-scale transformation.

Senior Program Lead - Finance, Oracle Cloud Transformation Program - E78 Partners - Bimbo Bakeries - Horsham, PA

(2020-07)

Program leader for the North America Finance & Procurement workstreams (PO, AP, GL, Reporting, FA, AR, and Tax), supporting the functional leaders of Finance & Procurement to implement Oracle Cloud modules. Also, program lead for Oracle EPBCS, Inspyrus AP solution, and Vertex Tax Engine implementations.

• Hands-on experience with Change Management, Team Building, Resource/Cost Management, Vendor Management (Oracle), Compliance and Audit, Feasibility and Risk Assessments, Performance Metrics and Reporting, and Business Presentations
• C-level accountability for project delivery, status reporting, and issue management

Management Consultant, Operations Strategy - Interra Consulting - Princeton University, NJ

(2019-08 - 2020-06)

Management consultant on a project to strengthen the administration processes of the graduate school.

• Process mapping, streamlining the admissions, payroll, and management reporting processes
• Implementing ServiceNow technology (with Deloitte), legacy systems improvements
• Communications strategy improvements, and project implementation

Management Consultant, FP&A - RESOURCES GLOBAL PROFESSIONALS - Philadelphia, PA

(2019-02 - 2019-06)

Led a team of 15 FP&A professionals to document and provide recommendations to significantly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the cost allocation, financial planning, and analysis processes using Oracle EPBCS.

• Conducted a deep-dive expense analysis on $1.1B in administrative expenses to identify cost and performance improvement opportunities
• Developed and implemented first-time fixed vs. variable expense reporting capability
• Developed and implemented first-time business KPI measurements and reporting packages for the business

Strategic Consultant, Finance Transformation, Highmark Health - CGI - Philadelphia, PA

(2017-01 - 2019-06)

Leader of the finance transformation initiative by serving as a strategic adviser & work-stream lead, providing the first-ever voice of customer analysis, and as work-stream lead. Led the implementation of Oracle R12 General Ledger with a 3rd party firm.

Principal / Portfolio Manager, Merck Pharmaceutical - CGI - Philadelphia, PA

(2017-01 - 2019-06)

Program Manager of a $30M budget and a 140-person international project team for the global implementation of the SAP business planning and consolidation tool (SAP BPC).

• Led business and external consulting team delivery, status reporting, issue resolution, test phases, internal audit & roll-out activities with 3rd party provider (Deloitte)
• Managed the Software Development Lifecycle activities (SDLC) and Good Practice compliance activities (GxP)

Principal / Finance Transformation Leader, Tyco International / Johnson Controls - Mexico City - RESOURCES GLOBAL PROFESSIONALS - Philadelphia, PA

(2016-02 - 2016-11)

Improved operating performance through process redesign and technology improvements of the existing shared service center by leading a project turnaround effort.

• Achieved 25% headcount reduction by project end
• Implemented Blackline account reconciliation/task management and Basware AP/e-invoicing technologies

Senior Manager, Finance and Enterprise Performance Practice - ACCENTURE - Philadelphia, PA

(2015-07 - 2016-02)

Element Solutions Inc. (ESI): Developed the business case for $53M in savings from functional centralization opportunities within the client's global organization (non-core Functions) and/or outsourced

Finance Transformation Leader, Johnson Controls - RESOURCES GLOBAL PROFESSIONALS - Philadelphia, PA

(2014-03 - 2015-06)

Managed design, build, and migration phases of a shared service center for 4 business units in 8 Latin American countries for a $10B multinational manufacturing and services company

• Managed multi-country consolidation of all finance and accounting back-office processes (9 ERPs)
• Stood up a new Shared Service Center with 300 new employees in Mexico City

Finance Transformation Leader, American Standard Brands/LIXIL Inc. - ENRICHMENT SERVICES, Sole Proprietorship - Fort Lauderdale, FL

(2010-07 - 2014-03)

Implemented more than $20M via operational enhancements, including a shared services concept, improving reporting and controls, and spearheading the implementation of finance best practices

• Served as M&A Due diligence leader for a $900M sell-side transaction to LIXIL Group

Managing Director, European Finance Transformation Consulting, Benchmarking, and Advisory Lead - THE HACKETT GROUP, INC. - Miami, FL & London, England

(2005-09 - 2010-06)

European lead for the Benchmark, Advisory, and consulting practices delivering process benchmarking, finance function best practice analysis, project roadmaps, and implementations for diverse customers throughout Europe

Managing Director, Consumer Industrial & High Tech – Finance Transformation, Latin America - BEARINGPOINT / KPMG LLP - Miami, FL

Senior Financial Analyst, Electrical Distribution Equipment, and Industrial Controls - GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY - Plainville, CT

Plant Controller, Electronics Manufacturing - LG ELECTRONICS - McAllen, TX

Executive Master of Business Administration - University of Connecticut

Bachelor of Business - Saint Michael's College