Manager Customer Service

R. CRAIG CECERE

** ******* ****. ***-***-

****

Brewster, NY 10509

abkx5k@r.postjobfree.com

SUMMARY

Results-oriented Operations Executive with expertise in Financial

Management working in a multi billion dollar, international environment.

Recognized for consistent and continual success in increasing profits,

streamlining processes to improve performance, and developing strong

management teams. Combines keen communication, negotiation, decision-

making, and organization skills with the ability to independently plan and

direct high-level business affairs.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

READER'S DIGEST ASSOCIATION, INC., Pleasantville, NY 10570

1981-2010

Reader's Digest is a global multi-brand media and marketing company with

offices in 44 countries. It publishes 93 magazines, operates 65 branded

websites, and sells 40 million books, music, video, and catalog products

annually. Wholly owned subsidiaries include Weekly Reader Corporation, Time-

Life Music, and Allrecipes.com.

Director, Global Postal Affairs (2001-2010)

Developed global postal strategies and best practices for local and

regional implementation. Key U.S. focus was to provide strategic lobbying

efforts with the U.S. Postal Service and Congress to support

business/financial commitments. Global postal budget totaled $390 million.

. Pioneered the first Postal Best Practices Database identifying 64 "best

of breed" postal practices.

. Delivered $45 million in postal savings/cost avoidance over ten years.

. Successfully lobbied the U.S. Postal Service to modify the Nominal Rate

rule allowing marketing greater leeway in promoting subscription offers.

. Reduced overhead 50% by reengineering business practices.

. Effectively lobbied Congress to eliminate a proposed three-year

moratorium on new Pharmaceutical (DTC) advertising. Valued at $16-$24

million annually.

. Developed a U.S. Postal Service training awareness program that reduced

customer service complaints at Weekly Reader Corp. by 60%.

Associate Director, U.S. Postal & Logistics (1999-2001)

Directed day-to-day postal and logistics operations ensuring regulatory

compliance, promoted process efficiencies, and implemented cost savings and

cost avoidance measures. U.S. postal and logistics budget totaled $165

million.

. Modified U.S. Postal Service regulations regarding Book mailings

resulting in new revenue streams and reduced costs.

. Provided over $6 million in savings by negotiating a service agreement

with the U.S. Postal Service and redesigning return practices.

. Renegotiated 3PL contracts generating $500 thousand in annual savings.

. Concept tested selling magazine subscriptions in U.S. Postal lobbies.

. Reduced overhead 50% by automating system processes.

R. CRAIG CECERE Page 2

Associate Director, Inventory Management (1997-1999)

Managed inventory planning, control, and financial functions across 10

distribution sites covering 80,000+ SKUs. Total inventory value in excess

of $400 million.

. Centralized product-planning function for all marketing channels

resulting in improved efficiencies and greater cost containment.

. Generated $8 million in revenue remaindering excess inventory.

. Developed and implemented a "multi-bite" order/procurement methodology

resulting in cost savings of $2 million annually.

. Donated excess inventory garnering over $1 million in tax benefits.

. Reduced storage fees by $500 thousand annually by destroying unusable

components.

CAREER PROGRESSION

Manager, Customer Services Support (1994 - 1997)

Cost Manager, Operations Finance (1992 - 1994)

Assistant Manager, Magazine Operations (1989 - 1992)

Assistant Manager, IT Plans & Controls (1985 -1989)

Data Center Capacity Planning Analyst - Developed, tested, and implemented

RDA's first disaster recovery plan (1984-1985)

Data Center Operations Scheduler (1982-1984)

Electronic Printing Coordinator (1981-1982)

INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION AFFILIATIONS

Continuity Shippers Association, Board Member and President (2005 - 2010)

Mailers Council, Board Secretary and Treasurer (2005 - 2010)

Reader's Digest Partners for Sight Foundation, Board Member/Asst. Treasurer

(2003 - Present)

PostCom, Board Member (2010)

Memberships: Direct Marketing Association, Magazine Publishers of America.

EDUCATION BACKGROUND

MBA-Finance,

PACE University - Lubin School of Business, White Plains, NY, 1997

Bachelor of Science, Business Mgmt./Accounting

SUNY College of Technology, Utica, NY, Cum Laude, 1981

Associate of Science, Business Mgmt./Accounting

Westchester Community College, Valhalla, NY, 1979

OTHER INFORMATION

New York State Notary

Omicron Delta Epsilon member - International Honor Society in Economics

Alpha Beta Gamma member - National Business Honor Society

Contact this candidate