GERALD ZAVECZ

* ******** ***** • West Caldwell, NJ 07006

973-***-**** • adrsai@r.postjobfree.com

SUMMARY

A results-driven Systems Executive Director/Project Manager who fixes problems related to technology and/or staffing with cost effective solutions, managing successes in restructuring and upgrading IT operations including motivating and retraining of staff…a passion for working with people and systems alike. My reputation and experiences exemplifies simplifying complex problems, meeting demanding objectives, improving image and user satisfaction, while delivering timely and notably cost-effective solutions.

Broad-based technical experience in various hardware/software platforms (mainframe, AS400, UNIX and Windows) supporting financial services, consumer products and manufacturing/distribution. Achieved success through reshaping inefficient operations, positively affecting profitability, while delivering improved systems performance and capacity.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

FYI SOLUTIONS (IT Consulting Firm) 2015 TO Present

Project Manager – At Prudential Insurance Company, working on infrastructure/applications upgrade projects for systems that are at End of Life (EOL). Using internal SDLC and Agile methodologies as methods to manage initiatives thereby creating the framework for on time and on budget successful project conclusions. Some projects were cross divisional where I managed portal application upgrade projects between the Annuities Group and Retirement; those two projects were completed on time. Latest project is a proof of concept to deploy Hadoop in replacement of an RDMS; project used several Scrum sprints as well following Agile project processes. Created scope and budget for the Hadoop project as well as, a scope and budget to manage the service accounts password resets initiative starting in 2017.

SOUNDVIEW PAPER COMPANY, LLC 2014 TO 2015

Director, Information Technology

Analyzed existing hardware and software infrastructure to determine an upgrade path for current ERP systems, keeping in mind risk to company, overall costs, security, software licensing and phased impact. Reviewed upgrade paths for existing system as well as options for new ERP system. Created a phased upgrade roadmap, budgeted with multiple options and a visionary plan to implement.

RMK CONSULTING, INC., (IT Consulting Firm) 2013 TO 2013

Enterprise/IT Architect

Provided technical and management expertise to Express Scripts (formerly MEDCO) in their effort to consolidate/migrate/integrate application systems for mainframe and midrange systems while maintaining their SLA’s for the clients as well as the DoD/Government Programs.

SMARTBALANCE GFA BRANDS, INC., PARAMUS, NJ 2007 TO 2012

Director of Information Technology

Recruited to identify, install and implement new ERP system and replace non-compliant (SOX) legacy system. Key member of the initial management team that brought the company public in 2007. Planned, budgeted, and managed:

•Transformed Smart Balance from a private company with very limited technology capability to a fully functioning SOX compliant public company. Established internal accounting and external reporting capabilities with an IT infrastructure that enabled reduction in supply chain costs.

•Investigated and successfully implemented Ross SOX compliant ERP and Supply Chain systems, replacing legacy system and manual procedures.

•Created IT policies in support of SOX requirements as well as for HR to publish Employee handbook.

•Defined and negotiated successful outsourced Help Desk support and ERP Application support model receiving better than average results on blind, companywide IT survey.

•Established process to control intellectual property and house all company formularies using the Selerant PLM (Product Life Cycle Management) System.

BELMAY, INC. (NY BASED FRAGRANCE COMPANY), YONKERS, NY 2004 TO 2007

Vice President, Global Information Technology

Managed the global IT organization with a staff of 21 internal and outsourced professionals supporting manufacturing, distribution, and sales for this privately held 100 year-old premier fragrance firm with business entities located in the US, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Mexico, and Brazil.

•Initiated a global staffing model resulting in higher customer service at a lower cost.

•Developed the first comprehensive disaster recovery plan for both the AS/400 and Windows servers.

•Led global software development team that implemented the first common application written in Visual Basic & C+ encased in the Windows .Net architecture for global manufacturing, inventory control, order entry, and sampling.

•Installed network links with redundancies to all remote sites to ensure smooth use of applications. Investigated and recommended new Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) application software that combined formulation and recipe management, standardized regulatory response requirements, and enabled global access via the web.

NAKED JUICE COMPANY (ACQUIRED BY PEPSICO), GLENDORA, CA 2003 TO 2004

Director, Information Technology

Led a nation-wide IT team of six technical professionals supporting the manufacturing, distribution, and accounting applications for the fastest growing premiere beverage juice company in the United States. Oversaw manufacturing applications utilizing both UNIX and Windows based systems.

•Managed the customized installation of Window-based hand held devices that enabled the Direct Store Delivery (DSD) and route delivery applications to provide accounting, inventory control and replenishment.

•Researched, evaluated, selected and implemented new hand held technology that integrated nation-wide distribution into manufacturing and accounting applications.

•Consolidated applications software and network infrastructure for three East Coast sites into one CA facility.

PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL, ROSELAND, NJ 2000 TO 2003

Director, Information Systems

As a member of Prudential’s Individual Life Group, I was recruited to manage high visibility projects in a shared services environment spanning Life’s Call Center through to the Groups ETL team. Ultimately, I was responsible for all front end servers which supported the network of Individual Life’s Call Centers in Ireland and throughout the US. Provided the partnership, team building, and liaison between the application’s development business unit and the data center technology services organization. Delivered projects on time while simultaneously managing other similar projects.

•Architected, designed, and implemented multiple UNIX server infrastructures that met internal standards of the Capability Maturity Model.

•Presented business partners with cost conscious budget solutions by aggressively managing vendor relationships with IBM, SUN, and EMC. Provided the most economical and technologically sound resolution to business issues.

•Led the multi-million dollar infrastructure project supporting 5,000+ concurrent call center representatives with redundant intra-/inter-site architecture and created model for Business Recovery/Continuation Process.

•Installed back end servers for the corporate .com initiative to leverage existing network of servers distributed across several data centers that enabled backup, load balancing, and instantaneous response time.

•Reduced development startup costs by consolidating and re-deploying under-utilized UNIX servers.

CITIBANK, NA, NEW YORK, NY 1998 TO 2000

Vice President- Project Management Office

PMO hire to relocate “111 Wall Street” Data Center to a primary facility in Maryland with a backup in Delaware. Managed high-risk projects with a matrixed staff of up to 30 members, across six departments and delivered the commitment of resources to successfully complete projects on a timely basis.

•Built onsite, real-time back-up system for the EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) between the local banks and the New York and Philadelphia Federal Reserve. Enabled testing of changes and program updates. Prevented major fines during its first weekend of operation.

•Duplicated existing production system to create an applications’ testing infrastructure and back-up consisting of networking components, hardware, and UNIX systems software to support end-to-end testing for major funds transfer process.

•Successfully constructed Major Expense Proposals (MEP) totaling in excess of 14 million dollars, including financial support documentation to secure funding for several multi-million dollar projects.

•Reduced network outages significantly reducing fines for failed funds transfer by creating a standard and structured process to control the worldwide router network changes.

•Project manager that oversaw the implementation of MQ middle ware and other infrastructure software for the global payments and reporting system linking logistically dispersed legacy systems.

INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT – MANUFACTURING AT ISOLATEK INTERNATIONAL 1997 TO 1998

Interim IT Project Manager

Developed reports for the Ross System. Subsequently assumed interim IT role providing technical, leadership and management expertise including LAN/WAN Novell and UNIX installations. Managed vendor relationships, and trained staff to support applications.

•Led long-term engagement to manage the installation of the Ross Manufacturing System in a C/S environment.

•Supervised the implementation of HP-UNIX with Oracle Database server, using Novell 4.11 LAN/WAN technologies.

PETALS (A Catalog Sales Retail Stores Manufacturing Company) 1994 TO 1997

Director, MIS

Directed the scope, selection design and implementation of a CommercialWare Mozart system to enable catalogue sales. Reengineered user department work procedures and policies. Motivated peers and team in support company’s MIS initiatives. Installed 'Beta' software package for telemarketing, inventory management, order fulfillment/shipping, and accounting departments. Trained all users.

•Collaborated with IBM to select and install new AS/400 computer hardware and operating system.

•Reshaped objectives and deployment of communications technology to better support the telemarketing effort.

•Designed, directed and administered the company’s Internet initiatives to provide direct sales.

•Managed the growth and expansion of the packaged application system into conjunction with vendor software releases. Partnered with the vendor’s local and national user community impact development and change.

JORDAN EDWARDS MGMT. CO., INC., (Independent IT Consulting Firm) 1993 TO 1994

Senior Consultant

Advised clients on short to medium range consulting assignments providing technical management expertise and leadership for several Novell LAN installations, including all areas of support Windows based, AS/400, OS/2 and UNIX environments. Key engagements include:

•Horizon Blue Cross/Blue Shield – New Brunswick, NJ: Defined, implemented, and administered IS Operational Standards in LAN environments.

•Alltrafilters – Riverdale, NJ: Established and implemented appropriate back up, security, and disaster recovery procedures.

•Houghton Mifflin Company – Bellmawr, NJ: Configured specialized infrastructure under OS2.

•R.H. Donnelley Corp – Dunmore, PA: Designed OS2 interface for SAP.

CHOCK FULL O’NUTS CORPORATION (now MASSIMO ZANETTI BEVERAGE USA) 1988 TO 1993

Director MIS

Managed staff of 25 with full budget accountability in an IBM mainframe environment.

•Restructured entire MIS department and upgraded the information complex, including systems/application programming, data entry, input/output control and retraining the in-house staff.

•Personally defined, designed, and implemented 100-user Norand hand-held computers supporting route sales.

•Led the strategic growth of the company’s sales support systems in line with the marketing business plan.

EDUCATION

Numerous Graduate Level Management and Technical Courses

•Center of Excellence (Prudential)– Technology Architecture Design/Governance, Implementation Program

•Leadership Management Development Program (Prudential)

•Lean Six Sigma – White Belt & Completed Six Sigma Green Belt Certification course – NJIT

•Completed PMP Certification course – NJIT

•Bloomfield College - Business Administration

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