Customer Service Sales

WILLIAM M. KOWALSKI

**** ******** ***** 586-***-****

Sterling Heights, Michigan 48314 ********@*********.***

CAREER SUMMARY

Senior Finance Manager offering 18 years of experience in Product Development, Marketing and Sales,

Manufacturing and Aftermarket Parts and Sales for a major Automotive Manufacturer. Proven leader with

strong business acumen and a solid record of contributions leading to improved financial performance,

heightened productivity and enhanced Internal Controls.

Key Deliverables:

• Financial and Operations Planning and Analysis

• Strategic and Business Planning

• Budgeting and Forecasts (Costs, Revenues, Inventory)

• Internal Control (SOX Compliance)

• Staff Development

• Process Improvement

• Creation and Review of Contracts

• Capital Project Creation and Review

• Presentations/Reviews with Senior Management

• Income Statement / Balance Sheet / Cash Flow Responsibilities

• Month-End Close (General Ledger/Account Reconciliation)

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

FORD MOTOR COMPANY, Dearborn, MI 1990-2008

2003-2008

Controller / Business Manager, Ford Racing Technology

Managed $100M in costs for North American Motorsports Organization (cost center) and $60M in

revenue for the Performance Parts Group (profit center); eight direct reports and 25 contracted

employees in the Performance Parts warehouse.

Assured competitive position for Ford Racing by developing a plan that doubled the investment

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over five years, increasing the effectiveness of the Racing asset and driving new vehicle sales.

Passed General Auditors Audit and created a seamless roll up into Ford Financial Systems by

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driving process improvements and internal controls that standardized Ford Racing Financial

Systems.

Reduced Performance Part Inventory levels by 10% through elimination of obsolescence, one time

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buys and a more robust purchasing process.

Established first time, in house process that supported the production and sale of race cars.

•

o Created the bill of materials, pricing / sales process, program profitability projections and

consigned inventory process.

Generated a 50% growth in Performance Parts sales over four years by collaborating on an

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improved profitability plan that developed innovative new product lines.

o Facilitated creation of a line of performance packs for Mustangs which supported both

production and after market modifier applications.

2002-2003

Stamping Operations Analysis, Vehicle Operations

Led team of four responsible for the cost tracking of all North American Stamping Plants; consolidated

monthly forecasts, established annual Budgets and Strategic Business Plans.

Recommended productivity improvements in the areas of overtime, manpower and throughput to

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the Director of Stamping Manufacturing resulting in cost efficiencies.

Trained new key personnel during heavy workload period associated with development of the

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annual Strategic Business Plan and Budget, meeting targets and expectations.

Corrected a major financial controls issue in the calculation of budgeted labor hours resulting in

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reduced overtime and lower headcount requirements in a Stamping Plant.

William M. Kowalski Page 2

FORD MOTOR COMPANY, ( continued )

2000-2002

Director of Manufacturing Finance Manager, Vehicle Operations

Provided Financial and Strategic Business support, driving the business results of the North American

Vehicle Assembly Plants including strategic analysis of Plant Labor and Overhead, Manpower planning

and Capital Spending projects.

Supported plants in achieving Business commitments and promoting continuous improvement in

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internal financial reporting, including the development of Scorecard Metrics.

Installed financial controls and processes at small specialty assembly plant as part of a major

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productivity and quality initiative for the facility.

1998-2000

Manufacturing Business Offices Supervisor, Vehicle Operations

Led a 30 person Business Plan development team and implementation of a plan for Stamping.

Facilitated the development and implementation of a Vehicle Operations five year Business Plan

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that provided a universally accepted focus which unified the functional areas within the

organization.

Revitalized the Stamping business through collaboration with Engineering, Purchasing, and Plant

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facilities on a $500M Metal Stamping Strategy Plan.

o Required decision analysis on outsourcing, new facilities and refurbishment of equipment.

1997-1998

Operations Analysis Supervisor, Ford Customer Service Division

Led team of 12 Business Analysts, responsible for controlling a $450M Administrative and Selling

Expense Budget.

Benchmarked best in company departments and adhered to Operation process metrics resulting in

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achievement of business plan objectives.

Affiliate / Association Part Pricing, Ford Customer Service Division 1996-1997

Established and implemented Transfer Prices for parts purchased by Ford Affiliates worldwide. Also

participated in the negotiation of Ford part purchase contracts with Nissan / Mazda on joint venture

vehicles.

1995-1996

Vehicle Line Interface, Powertrain Operations

Defined the role and established processes for a newly created position linking Powertrain product

programs with Vehicle Product Development.

Supported four vehicle programs ensuring the financial impact of design changes were consistent

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with Powertrain program objectives

1994-1995

Engine Product Analyst, Powertrain Operations

Controlled $100M engine program; negotiated with outside suppliers, maximizing variable cost and

investment savings.

Developed Affordable Business Structure process and established variable cost targets for all

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forward year Engine, Transmission and Chassis programs.

1992-1994

Profit Analysis, Truck Product Development

1991-1992

Financial Analyst, Truck Product Development

1990-1991

Heavy Truck Analyst, Truck Product Development

EDUCATION

MBA, Finance, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 1990

BA, Economics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 1985

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