James P. Breese, PMP

Philadelphia, PA ***** 954-***-****

adcfxp@r.postjobfree.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbreesefl

Global Finance Leader

Orchestrate transformational changes saving operational costs

through best practice implementation

Possess strong analytical skills to drive operational efficiency and effectiveness, leading to cost control and reductions. Performs Finance shared service center business case development, design, and implementations. Lean Six Sigma Greenbelt certification to support large-scale change initiatives. Deep process benchmarking, KPI, and process improvement skills. Superior project management skills as a program/project leader for systems improvements and implementations. Background in Big 4 consulting, extensive international experience, and bilingual Spanish.

Select Achievements

Shared Services: Project lead implemented Finance Shared Service Center for $10B global services company in Mexico; 7 counties, 300 FTEs, 9 ERPs (Johnson Controls / Tyco International)

Business Case Development & Analysis: Provided the business case for implementation of global finance transformation for $15B professional services company (CSC)

P&L Leadership: Leader of European Finance Transformation consulting. Delivered more than 50 benchmarking projects, identifying and implementing Finance best practices (The Hackett Group)

Managed 2-year SAP ERP implementation for Mexico’s largest private pharmaceutical company (PiSA Labs)

Finance Shared Service Center Implementation at $4B industrial manufacturer (Alfa Group)

Finance Transformation Project Lead for business case development and project implementation for $30B publishing company (McGraw-Hill Companies)

Experience

Interra Consulting, Philadelphia, PA 2019-Present

Management Consultant, Operations Strategy, Princeton University, NJ

Currently managing large project to strengthen the administration of the graduate school. Activities include improving the admissions, payroll, management reporting process, implementing Service Now technology (with Deloitte), legacy systems improvements, communications strategy and implementation.

RESOURCES GLOBAL PROFESSIONALS, Philadelphia, PA 2019

Management Consultant, FP&A, Independence Blue Cross

Led the team of 15 FP&A professionals to document and provide recommendations to significantly improve the cost allocation process and financial analysis using Oracle HPCM. Conducted a deep dive expense analysis on $1.1B in administrative expenses to identify cost and performance improvement opportunities. Developed and provided first time fixed vs. variable expense reporting capability. Analyzed, developed, and implemented first time business KPI measurements and reporting packages for the entire business.

CGI / PARAGON SOLUTIONS, Philadelphia, PA 2017 - 2019

Strategic Consultant, Finance Transformation, Highmark Insurance 2018 - 2019

Spearheaded finance transformation initiative at Highmark Insurance by serving as strategic adviser and work-stream lead.

oRedesigned chart of accounts with 80% reduction in accounts (Oracle EMP solution)

oInstalled common data model across 2 legacy ERPs.

oAchieved 1st ever data governance model framework and implementation.

oStreamlined financial close process from 11 to 8 days and implemented technology redesign.

Principal / Portfolio Manager, Merck Pharmaceutical 2017 - 2018

Orchestrated all project management activities for $30M, 140-person international project team for global implementation of SAP budgeting and forecasting tool.

oLed client and external consulting team delivery, status reporting, issue resolution, test phases and roll-out activities.

oDirected Software Development Lifecycle and GxP compliance management activities

oManaged project funding requests, monthly accounting, and resource requests.

RESOURCES GLOBAL PROFESSIONALS, Philadelphia, PA 2016 - 2017

Principal / Finance Transformation Leader, Tyco International / Johnson Controls

Improved operating performance of shared service center by leading project turnaround.

Implemented enabling technology projects by driving country shared services migrations to Mexico, providing project management structure, and developing accountability. (Shared service center currently operating with 280 FTEs and 9 ERPs serving 6 countries.)

ACCENTURE, Philadelphia, PA 2015 - 2016

Senior Manager, Finance and Enterprise Performance, Element Solutions/Platform Specialty Products

Discovered $53M in savings opportunities by analyzing functions within client's global organization that could be centralized (“non-core Functions”) or outsourced.

oDeveloped Business Process Outsourcing business case.

oDefined roadmap to centralize non-core Functional processes (Finance, HR, IT, Procurement) into Global Business Services organization.

RESOURCES GLOBAL PROFESSIONALS, Philadelphia, PA 2014 - 2015

Finance Transformation Leader, Tyco International/Johnson Controls

Managed design and build, and migration phases of shared service center for 8 Latin America countries of $10B multinational manufacturing and services company (Tyco International). Managed consolidation of all finance and accounting back-office processes and 9 ERPs for 6 Latin America countries.

Implemented governance model, including development of formal service-level agreements/contracts between center and 4 business units in 8 countries. Service-level agreements focused on developing KPIs to track cost, productivity, and cycle time. Implemented measuring and monitoring and reporting systems to track shared service center performance.

ENRICHMENT SERVICES, Sole Proprietorship, Fort Lauderdale, FL 2010 – 2014

Leader of global finance transformation program for largest US manufacturer of bath and kitchen fixtures.

Independent Management Consultant, Finance Transformation

Implemented more than $20M in operational enhancements, including legacy shared services concept, improving reporting and controls, spearheading finance best practices (American Standard Brands).

Served as M&A Due diligence leader for $900M sell-side transaction for large consumer products company (American Standard Brands).

THE HACKETT GROUP, INC., Miami, FL 2005 - 2010

Managing Director, Finance Transformation

Grew European consulting practice from $4M to $22M in less than 3 years by delivering finance function best practice analysis, project roadmaps and implementations for clients throughout Europe

Additional Experience

BEARINGPOINT / KPMG LLP, Miami, FL

Managing Director, Consumer & Industrial, High Tech - Finance

GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, Plainville, CT

Senior Financial Analyst, Electrical Distribution Equipment and Industrial Controls

LG / ZENITH ELECTRONICS CORPORATION, McAllen, TX

Plant Controller

Education

Master of Business Administration (MBA), University of Connecticut, Executive Management Program, Storrs, CT

Bachelor of Arts (BA), Saint Michael’s College, Colchester, VT

Certifications

PMP, Certified

Lean Six Sigma Greenbelt, Certified

Institute of Management Consultants, Stamford, CT, Certified Management Consultant

Mediator, Certified by Florida State Supreme Court

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