DEBORAH F. CARR
18347 SHADOW CANYON DRIVE
HELOTES, TX 78023
RESIDENCE: 210-695-4758
CELL: 908-914-7549
EMAIL: dfcarr7@aol.com

SUMMARY: Financial-Logistics professional with significant management experience in Field Sales Finance, Logistics, Customer Care/Customer Service, Treasury & Banking, Credit & Collections, Corporate Finance and Cash Management.

Key Competency Strengths: Integrity & Trust, Decision Quality, Listening, Business Acumen, Planning & Organization, Priority Setting & Time Management, Driving for Results, Managing and Developing Direct Reports, Providing Clear Direction, Building Effective Teams, Customer Satisfaction, PC proficiency.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

MARS U.S. – Hackettstown, New Jersey: May, 1997 – August, 2008

MARS SNACKFOOD:
1.) National Finance & Logistics Manager (2007-2008)
Managed and developed a team of 25 Customer Care Managers, Customer Financial Service Representatives (Credit Reps.) and Customer Service Representatives (Call Center associates). Provided these associates with coaching/feedback and training to assist them in meeting their personal objectives and Customer Care/Company goals. Developed staffing and succession planning strategies, leveraged diversity and built trusting relationships to meet the current and future needs of the Customer Care team and the organization. Accountable for issues requiring escalation from direct and indirect reports, i.e. legal, policy interpretation, etc. Established associate workloads. Managed resources, including interview processes and hiring decisions, performance appraisals and budgets. Provided direction to Account Teams regarding spending and supply chain alternatives, risk/reward analysis, customer and industry trend impacts. Responsible for driving continuous improvement of the order-to-cash process. Implemented and managed supply chain programs including MEP, CPU, VMI, CPFR, plant-direct shipments and Pay-for-Storage. Shared accountability with all account team members for results, including sales objectives, efficiencies, profitability and budget management. Influenced both Mars and customer senior management to resolve financial and supply chain policy differences. Worked closely with Ops Planning, Demand/Sales Planning, and Logistics Operations to manage short supply situations, product allocations, product price/weight changes, unshippable product, recalls and other inventory related issues.

MASTERFOODS, USA:
2.) Manager, Customer Care (2004–2007)
Optimized the Masterfoods USA supply pipeline and leveraged the business relationship with assigned customers by serving as the single point of contact to address order-related and financial issues. Reporting to Sales, this role operated as a key member of the Account Team and worked in conjunction with Field Sales and Supply to deliver customer satisfaction, excellence in availability and category growth for the Company. Accountable for customer profitability (measured by individual customer account P&L statements), the entire order-to-cash process including invoicing, A/R collections, short-payment management and customer service levels (product availability). Presented financial and logistics programs to customers’ Senior Management and drove customer enrollment. Made frequent fact-finding visits to customer headquarters and warehouse sites.

3.) Manager, Customer Finance (2000–2004)
Served as financial resource to multi-functional account teams for the corporation’s Confectionery, Pet and Main Meal businesses. Accompanied Sales on customer calls to facilitate problem-solving and identify opportunities to advance our customer relationships into partnerships. Provided business insight and analysis through all aspects of customer financial relations. Managed and developed staff of two Credit & Collections Representatives.
•Provided primary home-office support to Sales throughout all aspects of the company’s Customer Investment Program (cost-to-serve approach to driving customer growth profitably).
•Improved customer account profitability through integrated account planning, promotional spending analysis, deduction management, prompt receivables collection and customer credit worthiness evaluation.
•Participated in the Top 20 and global customer calendar promotion and volume planning processes.
•Developed relationships with customers’ financial operation, ascertained reasons behind unauthorized customer deductions and delinquent A/R, and assisted the customer and account team in implementing agreed upon solutions to prevent future similar behavior.
•Drove customer enrollment in company’s EFT program.
•Provided detailed customer account profitability (P&L) analysis, customized to the needs of the account team and the customer.

AMERICAS TREASURY AND BENEFITS CENTER:
4.) Manager, Treasury (1999-2000)
Directed an efficient treasury management network for all Mars, Incorporated business units within the Americas and supported those units as a center of expertise and transfer of best practices. Coordinated new and ongoing bank services, daily cash requirements, financial reporting and related ad hoc project management. Managed and developed staff of 3 professionals.
•Managed multi-billion cash mobilization process and related daily banking transactions, ensuring the efficient use of corporate cash.
•Partnered with the banking community to implement and enhance cash forecasting, cash mobilization, treasury operating systems, and check fraud detection/prevention utilizing the most current technology available.
•Coordinated internal reporting requirements to evaluate regional performance.
•Implemented Merchant Banking program for Kal Kan’s direct veterinary sales pilot program, serving as “point person” for project.
•Co-managed domestic bank relationship calling effort to enhance business partnership and rapport.
•Negotiated bank agreements with Mars Commercial Department personnel and outside counsel to ensure protection of the business’ interests and compliance with federal, state and international banking regulations.

M&M/MARS:
5.) Manager, Field Finance (1998-1999)
Served as financial resource to multi-functional account teams, providing business insight and analysis through all aspects of customer relations. Supervised and developed staff of 3 professionals.
•Improved customer account profitability through integrated account planning, promotional spending analysis, collection of delinquent A/R, deduction/short-pay management and customer credit line evaluation.
•Visited customer headquarter sites and developed relationships with customers’ financial operation, ascertained reasons behind delinquent payments and unauthorized customer deductions/short-payments, and assisted the customer and account team in implementing agreed upon solutions to prevent future late payments and unauthorized deductions. Negotiated settlements with customers’ senior management as needed.
•Instituted programs that streamlined the deduction clearing process and reduced administrative effort in the field.
•Provided detailed account profitability (P&L) analysis, customized to the needs of the account team and the customer.
•Managed the Accounts Receivable portfolio: assessed customers’ financial viability; managed credit risk to minimize bad debt; ensured timely collection of Accounts Receivable to achieve DSO and corporate cash flow objectives.
•Audited Account Managers’ promotional budget activity to ensure compliance with stated spending policies.

6.)Cash Applications/Financial Credit Manager (1997)
Managed the A/R Cash Application, Data Entry and Credit Support functions. Automated existing reporting processes, captured data for ongoing A/R aging trend analysis used to establish bad debt reserve balances, prepared internal performance reports and evaluated customer financial statements to support the allocation of lines of credit. Supervised and developed staff of 9 professionals.

INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL CONSULTANT: 1996–1997
Provided Credit & Collections and Treasury Management consulting services.
•Drafted customer deduction Standard Operating Procedure document.
•Researched and collected $300M of delinquent/disputed Accounts Receivable; authorized to negotiate settlements as necessary.
•Assisted in the re-negotiation of Revolving Lines of Credit; drafted Loan Agreement documents; negotiated credit facility terms and conditions with client’s bank Account Officer and Law Department.

HOECHST CELANESE CORPORATION / HOECHST-ROUSSEL PHARMACEUTICALS CORP. – Bridgewater, New Jersey Corporate Headquarters: 1978 – 1996

1.) Corporate Credit Manager/National Credit Manager (1992-1996)
Ensured sound protection and prompt turnover of Accounts Receivable ranging from $90 million to $250 million
per month, resulting from annual sales of $800 million and encompassing 15,000 active accounts located with the North American and/or International market. Coached and developed staff of 3 professionals.
•Performed Credit & Collections, customer rationalization and relationship management activities consistent with UCC guidelines, fair business practices and Business Unit strategic objectives.
•Assessed customers’ financial viability managed credit risk to minimize bad debt and ensured timely collection of Accounts Receivable.
•Managed all bankruptcy activities internally: filed Proof of Claim, negotiated Preference claims, effected product Reclamation, monitored status of claim through follow-up contact with Bankruptcy Court, Debtors attorney and Creditors’ Committee, made recommendations to the Business Unit on subsequent bad debt write-off/recovery.
•Participated in task force to review applicability of SAP system software to Credit function; recommended appropriate customizations to adapt system to the needs of the business.
•Monitored Allowance for Doubtful Accounts: performed quarterly reserve analysis and made recommendations to the Business Groups that maximized income and ensured adequate reserve levels.
•Served as active member in the NACM-Pharmaceutical Division and NCCA–Animal Health and Chemical Divisions professional trade association meetings.

2.) Assistant Manager, Treasury Finance (1987-1992)
Established internal procedures and controls to ensure timely and accurate compliance with the Corporation’s debt instrument covenants. Managed all debt service activity totaling $200.0 million annually. Managed internal and creditor financial reporting activity. Maintained banking relationships and re-negotiated bank credit lines. Negotiated letter of credit agreements and fees. Assumed significant role in the SEC reporting process and preparation of annual presentations to Moody’s and Standard & Poors rating agencies.

3.) Assistant Corporate Cashier/Corporate Cashier (1983-1987)
Responsible for timely and accurate coordination of activities affecting the Corporation’s cash flow; i.e. daily release of Accounts Payable disbursements, short/long term debt payments, investment maturities and maintenance of target bank account balances. Maintained cash book ledgers for 30+ bank accounts. Served as liaison between banking community and internal finance-related functions regarding day-to-day cash transactions and problem solving efforts. Supervised and developed 1 professional.

EDUCATION: Rutgers, The State University; School of Business – New Brunswick, NJ
Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management – 1989

Salary requirements and references available upon request.

Hello,

My resume is on file, and assigned to Janie. I would like to discuss this position with her.

Chris,

I would be happy to discuss this opportunity with you. Please call me at 210-494-1000.

Best,

Jeanne Di Orio
Recruiter
210-494-1000

Deborah,

It was so nice to connect with you today! Even though we determined the PA Mgr position does not fit your background, we are happy to keep you in mind for other opportunities.

Best,
Jeanne Di Orio
Recruiter
210-494-1000
jdiorio@deaconrecruiting.com

Jeanne,

After some consideration and discussion with my wife, I would enjoy discussing the opportunity (opportunities) in the Austin area.

Thank you

Chris