Jennifer B. DeGennaro

** ***** ***** . *******, ** 10541

abkyzg@r.postjobfree.com . 845-***-**** (Home) . 914-***-**** (Cell)

Financial and Operations Executive

with comprehensive experience in

Strategic Planning & Implementation Corporate Accounting & Finance

Financial Analysis / Forecasting / Maximizing Revenue Production

Reporting Driving / Managing Change

Budgeting & Cost Control Principles Cost Reduction / Avoidance

Taxation Reporting & Compliance Team Development & Leadership

Innovative Business/ Marketing

Solutions

Respected, strategic, and achievement-oriented Finance and Operations

Executive offering a distinguished career in leveraging highly refined

analytical talents to develop and implement strategies to maximize

profitability through increased sales and lower operational cost. Visionary

leader skilled in directing activities within multiple functional areas

including operations, finance, accounting, marketing, product design and

sourcing, human resources, and inventory management.

Conceptual decision-maker possessing courage to make tough choices,

accomplish goals, and lead great change. Strong presentation, negotiation,

and communication skills complimented by ability to see big picture, solve

complex problems, and build consensus across all organizational levels.

Professional Experience

J. B DEGENNARO & ASSOCIATES - MAHOPAC, NEW YORK 2007 TO PRESENT

President / Lead Consultant

Support diverse client base on variety of operational and financial

management initiatives, including improving market share, increasing

community and industry visibility, revamping human resource policies,

introducing compliant accounting practices, and reducing labor and

operational costs. Selected Projects and Achievements:

o Post Road Entertainment - Advised owners of 6 different concept

restaurants on development and implementation of strategies and plans

for improving market presence, revenue streams/ production, and staff

performance / retention.

o Jamie Kilgore Photography - Established and maintain financial

functions for photography studio, including development of financial

statements, analysis, and budget. Initiated operational cost savings

by driving changes in POS and payroll systems, along with building new

business opportunities through community outreach.

o Westchester Consumer Empowerment Center - Served as Interim Controller

for not-for-profit consumer advocacy organization. Developed and

managed accounts receivables, accounts payables, budgets, financial

reporting, payroll and reconciliation processes. Delivered significant

cost savings through renegotiating facility leases along with

insurance and telecommunication contracts.

o Bo Caf - Assisted in start-up of 2 upscale cafes by creating and

implementing strategic plans for human resources, financial,

marketing, and operational functions. Worked closely with Chefs and

Kitchen Management on development of seasonal menus and specialty

promotions. Created and produced all marketing collateral, including

Website design, business cards, advertising, and signage.

MacMenamin's Grill & Chefworks - New Rochelle, New York 2004 to 2007

Direct all areas of operation and finance for $3.8M full-service

restaurant, catering business, and cooking school with 75 employees and

accommodations for 400 patrons.

Chief Financial Officer / General Manager

Leveraged strong, combined business and financial acumens to improve both

profitability and effectiveness in all areas of operations. Worked

collaboratively with restaurant owner on development and execution of

strategies to increase revenue growth through multimedia marketing,

innovative advertising, aggressive new business cultivation, and

implementation of labor and food cost controls. Directed all facets of

financial management, including general accounting, preparing and

presenting financial statements, reporting, analysis, budgeting, cash flow

management, and taxation. Selected Achievements:

- Spearheaded sales increase of $1.06M through development and

implementation of new standards for business development, marketing,

and cost reduction.

- Drove financial controls that reduced company debt from $300K to $30K

despite incurred costs from voluntary tax and labor audit.

- Successfully generated 25% increase in revenues through cultivating

new on- and off-premise catering opportunities.

- Introduced substantial changes and enhancements in inventory

management, procurement processes, and staff scheduling, lowering food

cost from 34% to 29% and labor cost from 35% to 28%.

- Improved cooking school profitability by 211% through rejuvenation of

recreational program and creation of professional certificate program.

- Instrumental in organization winning several prestigious honors,

including Top Choice for Interactive Cooking Events by Food Network

and Best of Westchester Cooking Schools, 2007.

Macy's - New York, New York 1997 to 2004

Established career of achievement and advancement with one of nation's

premier retailers operating over 800 stores and furniture galleries in 45

states, District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico, generating $25B in

sales.

Operation Vice President, Yonkers, NY (2004)

Promoted to Vice President of prototype showroom store with highest sales

per square foot and highest company EBIT. Accepted challenge of driving and

managing changes needed to turnaround key business driver performance and

lead operational improvement projects. Selected Achievements:

- Implemented new loss prevention strategies elevating audit status of

61 to an average of 85 and yielding shortage reduction of $500K.

- Effectively planned and managed $300K capital project enabling

relocation and renovation of reserves for stock adding capacity.

- Achieved 110% of targeted productivity goals while eliminating daily

backlog by unifying receiving and processing departments.

- Delivered customer service goal staffing component by lowering weekend

hours non-compliance from 6% to 0% during spring season.

- Recognized as High Potential Support Executive with Macy's East and

honored with Federated Safety Excellence Award.

Operators Director, White Plains, NY (2001 to 2003)

Developed and managed plans for manpower, P&L production and reporting,

strategic directives, merchandising and sales production for $63M retail

operation. Conducted regular reviews of sales, labor, operations, costs,

customer situations, and employee relations issues. Evaluated key

indicators and other measurement tools, ensuring financial, customer

satisfaction, and control targets were consistently achieved. Selected

Achievements:

- Provided leadership needed to achieve EBIT plan in difficult sales

climate and second highest shopping environment score within Macy's

East.

- Trained and developed high performing security team, leading to

highest scores in total company Divisional Loss Prevention Audits and

reducing shortages by $1M over 2-year period.

- Drove substantial improvement in sales and service by maintaining

strong controls over payroll and maximizing weekend sales floor

coverage.

- Scored 100% on Federated Safety Evaluation for 2 consecutive years,

leading to role as MIC of Safety.

Director Financial Operations, New York, NY (2000 to 2001)

Managed financial functions related to all payroll/non-payroll budgets,

staffing, purchasing, facilities leasing, cash services, alterations, gift-

wrap, signage, and training for $600M flagship operations. Additional

accountability included scheduling oversight for 4,600 associates and 300

executives. Selected Achievements:

- Effectively managed operational expenses, enabling generation of $4M

EBIT above profit plan and $7M above line yield.

- Spearheaded hiring of Scheduling Coordinators as executives leading to

reductions in scheduling noncompliance from 9% to 1% and overtime to

less than 1.5%.

- Lowered cash shortage by $110K through implementation of vault

controls and storewide cash handling and drops training program.

- Enforced internal standards for accounts payables, resulting in

maintaining 100% paid-on time ratings.

- Contributed $950K in additional income gift-wrap income by launching

aggressive merchandising and shop outposts.

Operations Manager / Assistant Store Manager, Paramus Park, New Jersey

(1998 to 2000)

Held full accountability for leading merchandise flow, store maintenance,

expense management, loss prevention, and sales support for $67M, 322,000

square foot retail location. Selected Achievements:

- Conceived, developed, and launched operational strategies that

achieved 8% growth and exceed planned sales volume by 3%.

- Delivered $500K in EBIT STD above profit plan through enforcement of

tight expense controls.

- Lowered insurance liability costs for store by scoring 98% on

Federated Safety Audit.

- Spearheaded program for credit solicitation, raising store percent

from 65% to 111%.

Operations Manager, White Plains, New York (1997 to 1998)

Assumed store management role for 5-month period due to Manager's leave of

absence and provided leadership needed for operations to improve sales

growth, loss prevention targets, and cash flow objectives. Selected

Achievements:

- Instrumental in improving store profitability by leading renovation of

security department, receiving, fitting rooms, vestibules, flooring

and installation of designer shops.

- Introduced programs and processes during 5-month Store Manager tenure

that enabled meeting of 3% shortage goals and sales growth of 11%.

- Scored over 85% in 3 consecutive Federated Loss Prevention Audits by

enforcing internal standards and practices with all levels of staff.

Education and Credentials

MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION IN MARKETING

PACE University - White Plains, New York

Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing

PACE University - White Plains, New York

Attended on full scholarship program

Currently completing CPA Program through Pace University

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