Damien McDermott...

610-***-**** • Stewartsville, NJ • ac8aol@r.postjobfree.com • www.linkedin.com/in/damien-mcdermott

International Operations Executive with proven success delivering turnarounds, sustainable fixes and implementing new business models with industry wide transformative impact.

Blue chip, multidisciplinary experience at Unilever’s National Starch and Chemical Division; Pfizer’s Mineral Technologies Inc spin off; entrepreneurial experience as a franchise owner and consultant; hands on departmental leader for purchasing and supply chain at Isolatek International; Speaker and elected President of the Vermiculite Association 2014 – 2016; TVA Board member.

Extensive experience in Purchasing; Supply Chain; Operations; Developing new business, technologies, products; Finance; Marketing; Chemical and Polymer Sciences; dealing with plants, vendors, customers and clients across Europe, Middle East, Asia Pacific and the Americas. Multidisciplinary background in general management, quality assurance, financial analysis, internal communications, KPIs, policies and procedures.

Select achievements:

Isolatek International

oDirector of Purchasing and Supply Chain

Mandate – Fix non-supply of business-critical bulk industrial mineral First Quarter of hire

Immediate action – Communicate with industry leaders and borrow material, avert closure

Sustainable Result - Closed long-term deal with new international player Brasil Minérios to provide $9M / year of critical mineral plants USA, Europe and Middle East at lower cost and better supply than previously. Still going well today, after 8 years. World’s No.2 supplier.

Savings of $300 000 - $500 000 / year depending upon competitive prices and volumes.

Franchise Owner – Glass Doctor

oOwner and Operator

Mandate – Implement new retail glass franchise in central NJ.

Result – Invested in new shop, vans and equipment, provided employment to 4 technicians and office staff.

Went from 0 to $360 000 in sales in 12 months.

Pfizer’s - Mineral Technologies Inc – Specialty Minerals Division - NYC & PA

oNorth American Business Manager

Mandate – Develop and grow on site Precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) manufacturing capacity at 33 plants in North America

Result – As a member of the business team, sought and gained Executive Committee and BoD approval for 15 major capital projects ranging for $ 3 million to $15 million, each with ROIs > 15%. Each were implemented and at 5-year post audit marks all delivered expected or greater gains in sales and profitability. Most all continue today under long term customer contracts with the large host mills.

Unilever’s - Specialty Chemical Division - National Starch and Chemical - UK & NJ

oTechnical Marketing Manager

Mandate – Develop and implement alkaline paper making package of specialty starches and sizing materials for mills in Scotland, UK, Europe & USA.

Result – Developed in the 80s what became the industry standard neutral and alkaline sizing technology in the 90s and 2000s, based on the turbine emulsion of specialty starches and alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA). This system, along with onsite manufactured PCC displaced clay as the office paper filler and converted most all fine mills in the USA and rest of the world from acid processes to alkaline over about 15 years.

Core Competencies

Strategic Planning Execution

Operational Excellence

Financial Analysis

Continuous Improvements

P&L Budgeting

Profit Growth Optimization

Customer Satisfaction

Relationship Building

Marketing Development

Large-Scale Purchasing

Operational Entrepreneur

Capital Projects

Visionary Team Builder

International Business

Strategic Sourcing

Improving Efficiencies and Productivity in Manufacturing Environments

Isolatek International, Stanhope, NJ 2009 – 2019

World-class manufacturer of passive fire-resistant materials for large-scale commercial construction market.

DIRECTOR – PURCHASING AND SUPPLY CHAIN

Addressed immediate issue in identifying and acquiring raw material source for critical production ingredient at three plants. In charge of overseeing all procurement and logistics functions for five manufacturing facilities throughout US with team of four professionals. Accountable for $41M raw material purchasing budget involving 100 vendors worldwide. Provide close support for overseas manufacturing affiliates, from start-up to licensing. Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, Quality, Production, R&D and related groups. Concurrently responsible for all HQ facilities maintenance.

Saved $25M through direct variable cost improvements with continuous sourcing and vendor management over six years.

Eliminated another $770K in expenses after personally negotiating five-year liquid oxygen contract.

Ensured 100% product availability at all times through deployment of MRP software for distribution functions.

Sourced new supplier for metallurgical coke, recovering $350K in first year and $550K in second year.

Tasked with upgrading and optimizing obsolete PBX platform across all locations, forecasted to achieve $100K and dramatically improve service.

Glass Doctor of Central NJ, Washington, NJ 2006 – 2009

US franchise provider of automotive windshield and flat glass repair services.

OWNER AND OPERATOR

Challenged as Owner with personally financing and opening brand-new franchise from scratch, entering virgin territory and onboarding top staff. Responsible for all aspects of sales, marketing, quality operations and customer service with five-person team. Utilized new technologies and POS software to ensure smooth office functions. Hired, trained, motivated and led field technicians in auto/flat glass installation and selling.

Succeeded in growing this business from $0 to $360K in yearly revenue; broke even within six months.

Took over assets of another regional franchisee and territory.

Minerals Technologies, Inc. (division of Pfizer), New York, NY 1993 – 2006

Global manufacturer of precipitated calcium carbonate.

DIRECTOR – STRATEGIC PLANNING MINTEQ, 2004 – 2006

Took over unfamiliar business model, product lines and organization culture with mandate to dispose of well-established assets and integrate risky new ones. Responsible for handling all requirements in support of asset sales, business plans, strategic acquisitions, risk assessment and market expansion through 10 separate plant locations. Closed new agreements with global and North American vendors. Key participant in M&A research, analysis and due diligence.

Supervised all strategic sourcing of second most important raw material, executing long-term vendor contracts and overcoming anticompetitive practices.

Deployed financial and market modes for evaluating patents and identifying solutions, yielding $1.2M in additional net income.

Designed and piloted company’s internal five-year strategic planning process; utilized updated “Monte Carlo”-type simulations through Palisade software.

NORTH AMERICAN BUSINESS MANAGER SPECIALTY MINERALS INC, 1993 – 2004

Progressively promoted to lead cross-functional teams in driving new country business and regain internal credibility for this business unit. Coordinated all levels of operational growth across 33 production locations, including capital projects, equipment purchasing, favorable deal brokering, financial analysis, engineering and deployment of innovative techniques. Proactive member of Executive Regional Business Development Team.

Recovered over $10 million annually in raw materials costs and returned 16% sales at advantage for customers, as part of High Mineral Content program.

Negotiated contract with new renewable energy business to save $3M per year at single location with potential of significant ROI based on input.

Administered 15, $3 – 15 million capital projects, totaling $30M, through numerous teams across North America, earning over 15% ROI.

EARLIER EXPERIENCE:

Leadership positions with Unilever – National Starch and Chemical Corporation in New Jersey and Europe. Held management positions in marketing and technical services. Directed over 30 large industrial sales accounts, representing $60M in yearly revenue and providing 12% annual increases Overcame numerous operational and technical problems to achieve maximum productivity. Gained hands-on skills in multiplant operations, persistent account growth, US territory accountability and creative troubleshooting. Expert in alkaline paper making, TAPPI presenter and speaker.

Education

MBA – Finance, New York University, New York, NY

BS – Paper Science, University of Manchester – Institute of Science and Technology, Manchester, UK

Professional Training and Activities

Member, Business Networking, Inc and The Vermiculite Association.

Proficient in MS Office Suite, Oracle EBS, MRP, SOP, Smoothie Forecasting Software,

WebEx, Datamyne, Optyxx and Palisade Risk.

OPTIMIZING PEOPLE, PROCESSES AND SYSTEMS AND TO DRIVE OPERATIONAL AND LOGISTICAL PERFORMANCE

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