COO

Christopher W. Groff

** ******** ****

Snyder, NY 14226

Phone: 716-***-**** ● Mobil: 716-***-**** ● Email: *******@*****.***

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Chief Operating Officer Vice President General Manager Finance Manager

Delivering Aggressive Market Share Gains, Revenue Growth, Cash Flow & Shareholder Value

Results oriented cross-functional management background with demonstrated record of increased sales, revenue, operating income, cash flow, market penetration and customer service levels. A proven change agent with documented results leading complete operational/financial turnaround initiatives; transformed substantial losses to sustained profitability through cost reduction and increased cash flow. Catalyst for positive change, fostering cohesion toward achievement of business objectives and bottom-line improvement. Core leadership proficiencies include:

Turnaround & Re-Engineering

Product Development & Launch

Team Building & Leadership

Brand Development & Management

Customer Service/Satisfaction

Profit & Loss Management

Change Management

HR Development & Training

Global Sourcing & Procurement

General & Operations Management

Financial/Cash Flow Management

Sales& Marketing Strategies

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Professional Experience

Ridgewood Custom Cabinetry, Inc., Buffalo, NY 2007 – Present

(A Privately held manufacturer/distributor of high-end custom cabinetry.)

Enlisted by President and CFO to take control of faltering manufacturing operation with full control of quality, cost and delivery from raw material suppliers to wholesale distributors and retail customers. Manage 30,000 square foot manufacturing facility with supervision over production scheduling, purchase of raw materials, inventory management, logistics/distribution as well as HR and general accounting functions. Conduct monthly reviews with President and CFO to review key metrics including: P&L, goal attainment, cost reduction, cash flow, variance analysis and staffing.

Director of Operations

• Administrative oversight for accounting/finance, purchasing, inventory, HR, and payroll functions.

• Implemented the first annual budget concluding in the presentation to and approval by CFO.

• Operational improvements resulting in 138% revenue and 20% GPM increase.

• Preparation of financial statements, operating budget, forecasts/projections and cash flow analysis.

• Maintain relationships with financial institutions and external accounting firm.

• Increased product throughput 30% simultaneously decreasing scrap and re-work.

• Management of project engineering, scheduling and manufacturing.

• Conduct cost accounting, make versus buy and financial analysis to achieve desired profit margins.

Frey’s Furniture, Inc., Clarence, NY 2005 – 2007

(A Privately held retail, wholesale and internet sales company generating annual revenue of $3.5 million.)

Recruited by owner to spearhead turnaround initiative, position business for sale and as potential buyer/owner of the business. Compiled business plan and financial projections securing funding for purchase of business. Functional areas of responsibility include: management of marketing/advertising budget of $300K oversight of purchasing department responsible for $2 million annual purchases of goods to be sold, full P&L responsibility, HR management, operational restructuring, global product sourcing, vendor relations driving cost reductions and margin increases.

Vice President/General Manager

Operations Achievements:

• Oversight for accounting/finance, IT, purchasing, legal, inventory, HR, and payroll functions.

• Selected and implemented improved POS, inventory management and accounting software.

• Launched re-engineering/consolidation of operations reducing operating expenses by 33%.

Christopher W. Groff – Page 2 of 2

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• Increased product margins by 30% through the initiation of global sourcing and procurement.

• Managed turnaround initiative resulting in a 37% increase in revenue with 65% reduction in AP.

• Initiated strategies to redeploy company resources resulting in 25% increase in gross margins.

• Developed employee manual outlining company organizational structure, policies and procedures.

Financial Achievements:

• Formulated business and financial plan raising $1.5 million from commercial and private investors.

• Implemented freight cost analysis resulting in annual savings of 15%.

• Compiled and analyzed pro-forma financial statements to assess potential business ventures.

• Provided oversight for AP/AR processing, financial reporting, budgeting and general accounting.

• Managed financial aspects of corporate planning process.

• Advised owner on all third party contracts including strategic partnerships.

Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services, Inc, Buffalo, NY 2003 - 2005

(A global corporation providing asset management, certification, consulting, inspection/audit, consumer product testing, analysis and training with annual revenue of $3.2 billion)

Account Manager / Director of Capacity Management

• Provided operations support, maintaining excellence in client services/customer relations both internally and externally while surpassing projected profitability.

• Managed service delivery maintaining 100% completion rate within specified turn around times.

• Administrative oversight for technical testing, engineering services, protocol development and technical report generation with full P&L responsibility.

• Analyzed client account information maximizing profitability and achieving sales goals.

The Advantage Company, DBA Tony Walker & Company, Inc, Williamsville, NY 1993 - 2003

(A Privately held $70 million retail, wholesale and internet sales and distribution company.)

Key management member recruited to lead turnaround of troubled organization faced with historical losses, exorbitant costs and expenses, enormous cash drain and poor staff / management morale. Functional areas of responsibility included: purchasing budget of $3 million, advertising/marketing budget of 250K, full P&L accountability. Collaborated with owner, CFO and CEO on budget matters; supply direct input analysis and presentation of operations improvements. Oversight for 2 directors, AP/AR, accounting departments with 40 indirect reports.

COO / Managing Partner

• Selected and implemented improved POS, inventory management and accounting software.

• Directed new product and market development resulting in 25% revenue increase.

• Increased net profits 80% through enacted operational improvements.

• 38% decrease in carried inventory resulting in increased inventory turns and improved cash flow.

• Regional operational oversight for multiple retail locations with full P&L responsibility.

• Developed compensation and benefits package to attract and retain “A” talent.

• Management of HR, legal, IT, marketing/advertising, purchasing, warehouse/distribution, logistics, accounting, finance and payroll departments.

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Education & Honors

BA, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY

MBA, Corporate Finance, Canisius College, Buffalo, NY (GPA 3.98/4.0)

Summa Cum Laude

Roger E. Shields Memorial Scholarship

Masters Business Alumni Association Scholarship

Business Advisory Council Scholarship

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