Customer Service Sales
Resume:
MICHAEL POKRIEFKA
*** ***** ******** **. ****: 312-***-****
Chicago, IL 60148 Email: *****************@*******.***
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CONSULTANT
Programming and Business Analysis Expertise
Highly qualified Information Technology Consultant and Developer offering a unique blend of functional and
technical expertise. More than twenty years of experience in retail, followed by nine years of experience in the
design and development of supply chain software solutions for JDA Software. Part developer, part business
analyst, and part SME. Excellent communication and public speaking skills. Very strong analytical and problem-
solving skills, with ability to think and act strategically, motivate and direct people, and design and implement
projects. Strengths in:
C#, Visual Basic 6, VBA, Batch Scripting, Analyzing business requirements to provide
Unix Shell Scripting, VB/WSH Scripting, functional and technical specifications, use cases,
Java Script, HTML, XML, CSS, ASP, and and estimates of technical effort.
ASP.NET. Microsoft Office VBA programming. Conversant with
JDA Enterprise Planning, Arthur Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook object
Merchandise Planning, Planning models.
Automation, Arthur Planning OLE. Analysis, design, and development of custom
JDA Enterprise Knowledge Base, Arthur solutions for clients with unique business
Knowledge Base. requirements that they are unable or unwilling to
JDA Performance Analysis and compromise.
Performance Analysis Web.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Pokriefka Consulting, Inc. Chicago, IL 2007 - Present
Started Pokriefka Consulting, Inc. to further challenge and develop my unique blend of functional and technical
expertise to help clients.
Enterprise Planning Implementation Part of a multi-phase, multi-year project at a major U.S. shoe
retailer. Began implementation with Enterprise Planning 7.4. Currently implementing Enterprise Planning
7.7.
Implemented custom 3-tiered product and location planning processes (top down, middle out,
bottom up) for four business units with many unique features such as average store planning, base
over build methodology, attribute planning, a rolling time dimension, and markdown analysis.
o Developed custom approval process integrated across Windows and UNIX tiers
using VB6, VBS, SecureCRT, and DOS batch
o Developed custom online help system using VB6 and Arthur Automation and
presented the system at JDA FOCUS
o Developed custom UI for selecting members in data transactions using VB6 and
Arthur Automation
o Developed custom UI for saving and opening personal views using VB6 and Arthur
Automation
o Developed custom admin copy version utility for maintenance and disaster recovery
using VB6 and Arthur Automation
o Developed custom automation to export an EP view to Excel using VB6, VBA, and
Arthur Automation. (Implemented at two client sites, the second by a colleague).
MICHAEL POKRIEFKA
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Developed automated export of information to outside systems using Foundation
o
Data Export
Developed custom store planning environment with many unique features such as store capacity
planning, derivation of weekly allocation targets, store clustering, and store presentation minimums.
o Developed custom new store modeling application using VB6, ADO, Excel,
Enterprise Planning, and SQL.
o Developed custom process for developing a derived weekly allocation plan from
store plans maintained at month.
Currently developing a unique item planning solution
o Developed custom item planning tool using VB6, Excel, Enterprise Planning, and
SQL
o Developed item profile tool using VB6, Excel, Enterprise Planning, and SQL.
Enterprise Planning Training Conducted one week intensive EP Boot Camp for JDA internals and
business partners at JDA Scottsdale Headquarters covering variable dimension development, Automation
scripting, and the EP Implementation Toolkit. No other independent consultant has ever been asked to
teach a JDA course.
JDA Rapid Support and Report Development Assisted a New Jersey-based retailer bringing a new
division up on Arthur Merchandise Planning 2005.1. Wrote a custom application to automatically produce a
labor intensive report in batch as well as allow end-users to run the report for themselves ad hoc.
Worked with the staff and management of the Planning area to convert data from Excel to Arthur
Merchandise Planning on Arthur Knowledge Base. Wrote VBA application to automatically convert
and load plan data. Helped Planners get acclimated to Arthur Merchandise Planning.
Wrote custom VBA application allowing a group of labor intensive reports to be run in batch, or ad
hoc through a VBA GUI.
Produced extensive documentation for all programs.
Conducted design reviews and produced functional/technical specifications.
Performed full technical and functional testing of all applications.
Providing ongoing technical support as required.
Product Evaluation and Selection Working with the executive team of a Dallas, TX-based retailer and
direct marketer, conducted a design study to develop strategic goals for the implementation of a new
planning system for the direct marketing area.
Performed a comprehensive review of the current planning and reporting environment from a
business and technical perspective. It was important to understand the unique way that the client
was applying Arthur Planning to a direct marketing business.
Studied and documented the data model contained in the company s two Essbase databases with
an objective of converting them to one SQL Server or Oracle database. Identified all interfaces with
external data sources or destinations. Documented the reporting accomplished with the Decision
product with an objective of replacing it. Provided a comprehensive listing of all data dimensions
and elements/variables contained in the current databases.
Prepared a comprehensive technical proposal and estimate complete with hardware
recommendations, software recommendations, detailed software development estimate, data
conversion plan, project timeline, and project labor cost estimate.
Business Analysis and Custom Variable Development Worked with the division managers of a New
York, NY multinational retailer to roll out a new Planning implantation for their division in Japan. It was
important to understand a unique Arthur Merchandise Planning environment being used against the
company s proprietary star schema database.
Gathered business requirements and insight into the client-written VB/OLE environment and their
SQL Server database.
MICHAEL POKRIEFKA
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Provided functional and technical documentation of the company s unique planning environment.
Identified and documented interfaces to Essbase and SQL Server. Identified and documented data
interactions between Arthur Planning modules in use throughout the company.
Wrote a VBA program to thoroughly document all of company s Arthur Planning Variable
dimensions.
Documented the full price and promotional variable dimensions being used in the United States and
Japan.
Provided Excel mock-ups for approval of the calculation changes to the US variables that were
required to accommodate Japan, and developed new Arthur calculation rules for the new
calculations.
Trained the Planning Administration team and outside contractors on the Arthur Planning Transact
language and its use.
Trained the Planning Administration team and outside contractors to use some of the VBA tools
developed during the engagement.
JDA Software, Inc. Scottsdale, AZ 1999 - 2007
Joined JDA Software, Inc. as part of the Implementation Practices team that was developing the Arthur Planning
Rapid, a series of Visual Basic programs that augmented Arthur Merchandise Planning and automated and
systematized JDA s best practice business process for top-down and bottom-up product and channel planning.
Established strong working relationships, provided sound functional and technical specifications, and built
successful stable programs, and processes, in each area before moving onto the next opportunity. Then and
now, a frequent contributor at JDA FOCUS, the company s premier client-facing forum.
Application Specialist Implementation Practices Team (1999 - 2001)
Played a key role in the development of the successful Arthur Planning Rapid. Developed programs
in Visual Basic, VBA.
Developed a fully automated system for generating the Rapid installation program using DOS batch,
AWK, and Installshield.
Participated in Rapid Workshops aimed at teaching consultants the methodology and practices
required to implement the Arthur Planning Rapid at client sites.
Played a key role in the development of numerous demonstrations showing the capabilities of the
Arthur Suite of products including the first Performance Analysis Web demo, a working,
demonstration of the business intelligence tool and its capabilities using an Arthur Information
Manager database. These demonstrations were shown at such venues as NRF and JDA FOCUS.
Technical Consultant Consulting Services Group/New Product Development
(2001 - 2002)
Provided remote scripting and programming support half time for consulting services while also
working half time for NPD continuing to support and develop the Rapid product.
Wrote the ASP pages for JDA s first implementation of Performance Analysis Web for a major
retailer in Mexico. Much of this work became a de facto company standard.
Created decision support web sites using ASP, IIS, Decision Web, ActiveX components.
Implemented Arthur Planning, the Arthur Planning Rapid, Arthur Information Manager, Decision and
Decision Web for clients in the U.S., Mexico, and Brazil.
Systems Designer Program Management Group (2002 - 2005)
Helped develop and articulate the vision for next-generation JDA planning product, JDA Enterprise
Planning.
MICHAEL POKRIEFKA
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Worked as an international liaison to develop business requirements for Enterprise Planning.
Evaluated potential enhancements to the Arthur Planning product to assess viability, importance,
user benefit, and technical difficulty. Provided use cases, and functional specifications.
Provided use cases, use case diagrams, functional specifications.
Provided support to both CSS and CSG regarding the Planning Rapid and OLE Arthur.
Business Analyst/Developer New Product Development Group (2005 - 2007)
Underwent training in Agile Software development with industry leaders like Michael Cohn.
Functioned as Product Owner, Business Analyst, Senior Architect, and Lead Developer for the
Enterprise Planning Implementation Toolkit.
Reviewed designs of all Enterprise Planning implementations with JDA Consulting Services.
Jacobson Stores, Inc. Jackson, MI 1980 - 1997
Shipping and Receiving Clerk East Lansing Home Store (1980 - 1982)
Responsible for shipping and receiving, furniture delivery and repair, and customer service.
Operations Manager East Lansing Home Store (1982 - 1985)
Responsible for supervising shipping and receiving, furniture delivery and repair, and customer
service.
Developed and implemented a pre-delivery inspection system that reduced expenses and returns.
Chosen to undergo an intensive management training program conducted by outside consulting
firm. Training included modules on interviewing, hiring, handling performance problems, conflict
resolution, and negotiation.
Furniture and Home D cor Supervisor Dearborn Home Store (1985 - 1989)
Responsible for the supervision of a seven-person interior design staff, store business office, visual
merchandising, catalog and sample library, customer service, and some supervision of China,
Crystal, Silver, Domestics, Housewares, and Gourmet.
Graduated to second-highest departmental sales penetration in the company, with four consecutive
years of increased sales and improved cost/sales ratio.
Recruited degreed interior designers for all sales positions, dramatically improving the professional
level of the staff.
Developed a series of successful bi-annual Community Art Shows with the Dearborn Community
Arts Council.
Children s and Home D cor Supervisor Columbus Apparel Store (1989 - 1992)
One of five executives selected to open Jacobson's second store in Ohio. Part of a team
responsible for recruiting, interviewing, hiring, and training about 200 associates at all levels.
Responsible for supervising and motivating ten department managers, and up to seventy-five sales
and stock associates. Areas of responsibility were Maternity, Infants, Children's Shoes, Toddler
Girls and Boys, Boys 7-14, Teen Girls, and the home decor departments.
Exceeded annual sales goals in 1990, 1991, and 1992, building sales volume to $4 million a year.
Supervised more than 150 special events, fashion shows, and public appearances in 1989 and
1990.
Merchandise Planner Jackson Headquarters (1992 - 1999)
Responsible for planning, analyzing, and reporting on all key metrics for the home decor
departments (Bed, Table, and Bath Linens, China, Crystal, Silver, Housewares, Clocks, Gourmet,
MICHAEL POKRIEFKA
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Stationery, Books, Luggage, Wall Decor, Lamps, Home Accessories, Gifts, Holiday Trim, and
Garden Shop). Annual volume: $35 million.
Responsible for store planning for the home d cor departments for all stores in the Northern
Division (Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Kansas).
Wrote completely automated plan definition programs beginning with Arthur 3.14. Programs that
automatically create all the necessary structures, populate the reference variables with history, and
create a first pass plan.
Wrote numerous utilities to automate Arthur Planning processes and integrate information between
Arthur Planning and other company merchandising and financial systems (e.g., Essbase).
Wrote VB and VBA code to automate written reports in Microsoft Word.
Wrote purchase order entry front end in Excel VBA for use on buyer's laptop computers. Directed
training for approximately 100 merchants in two regions.
Member of Corporate Task Force on Developing Key Items. Wrote VB5/VBA program that makes
sales projections for all stores, or all stores in a region, based on a test period and sample sales
rate for a subset of stores (Essbase history). Directed training for 100 merchants in two regions. Co-
authored training manual. Project implemented in 30 days.
MILITARY SERVICE
Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge, 6th Battalion, 9th Field Artillery, Giessen
Germany
Selected to undergo special training in the application of modern management
techniques to the military (MAPTO)
Honorable Discharge
EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS
Michigan State University East Lansing, MI
Bachelor of Arts Philosophy
Author of Four Publications in Professional Philosophical Journals
JDA Certified Professional
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