Joseph Groat
Fort Wayne,IN
Summary
Accomplished financial executive with extensive experience in financial planning and analysis, notably at United States Steel Corporation. Expert in leveraging data analysis and Lean & Six Sigma management to drive strategic decisions and operational efficiencies. Demonstrated success in leading cross-functional teams, enhancing stakeholder relationships, and achieving significant cost reductions. Proven ability in performance management and accounting compliance, with a keen focus on maximizing return on investments.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Vice President of Financial Planning & Analysis
Novae, LLC
10.2023 - Current
- Cultivated strong business partner relationships with key stakeholders, including executive leadership, plant operations, and BOD to promote improved decision making.
- Communicated business performance, forecasts and strategies to stakeholders including executive leadership, the BOD, and creditors.
- Managed financial planning and budgeting processes, ensuring fiscal responsibility and maximizing return on investments.
- Led cross-functional teams for the successful implementation of processes that increased efficiency and delivered favorable cost impact.
- Established standard work processes to provide ongoing visibility and insights to cash flow, liquidity, working capital, and profitability.
- Influenced organizational restructuring initiatives, streamlining operations and reducing overhead costs.
Director of Financial Planning & Analysis
United States Steel Corporation
04.2020 - 10.2023
- Business partner Reporting to Vice President FP&A, supporting Chief Manufacturing Officer and Chief Commercial Officer
- Responsible for target setting, annual operating plan, and budget development covering all North American operations and $8.0B annual sales.
- Commercial pricing and contract evaluation, driving optimization of product mix and asset utilization/facility loading to achieve commitments and strategic objectives.
Director FP&A - USS Automotive Solutions
United States Steel Corporation
02.2016 - 04.2020
- Reporting to Automotive Solutions CFO, responsible for providing financial leadership and control for all FP&A functions covering seven operating divisions within U.S. Steel’s Great Lakes Works and two satellite plants with over $3.0B annual sales and $2.5B in combined variable manufacturing and fixed cost structure.
- Responsible for leadership and development of a team of 10 FP&A professionals.
- Led cost reduction and transformation. Established controls, procedures, and reporting systems to ensure financial commitments were met.
- Business partner providing financial guidance and expertise for key strategic decisions.
Plant Controller - USS Great Lakes Works
United States Steel Corporation
01.2014 - 01.2016
- Led accounting team of 20 staff accountants, analysts, and clerks with responsibility for all site accounting functions, including budgeting, transactional accounting, general ledger accounting, audit, and internal controls.
- Financially supporting tactical and strategic decisions at the plant site level in accordance with overall corporate strategy and vision.
- Oversight of plant Oracle ERP implementation and optimization improving closing cycle time by 25%.
Manager - Financial Planning and Analysis
United States Steel Corporation
09.2010 - 12.2013
- Manage Financial Planning & Analysis function for US Steel’s largest plant servicing the Automotive market with annual revenues exceeding $1B.
- Oversight of forecasting, variance analysis, and capital budgeting.
- Led department of 8 FP&A professionals with responsibility for analysis of business processes to identify cost savings and operational efficiencies.
Department Manager, Accounting Services
United States Steel Corporation
05.2003 - 08.2010
- Manage team of 4 staff accountants with responsibility for General Ledger and Mill Accounting.
- Oversight of all general ledger transactions, fixed assets and general accounting responsibilities, including Sarbanes-Oxley compliance.
- Monthly reconciliation of inventory accounts as well as coordination and execution of physical inventory and cycle counts.
- Served as liaison to Headquarters Internal Audit and coordinated Annual External Audit.
Finance and Accounting Analyst
National Steel Corporation
07.1996 - 04.2003
- Various positions of increasing responsibility in Operations, Accounting, and Financial Planning & Analysis
Education
BBA - Accounting
University of Michigan - Dearborn
Dearborn, MIMBA -
Mike Ilitch School of Business, Wayne State
Detroit, MIProfessional Training
Skills
- Financial Planning & Analysis
- Performance Management
- Accounting & Compliance
- Multi-Divisional Reporting
- Strategic & Capital Planning
- Data Analysis and Distillation
- Advanced MS Office, Hyperion, ERP
- Working Capital & Cash Flow
- Lean & Six Sigma Management
- Product Portfolio Rationalization
Certification
- Corporate Financial Planning & Analysis Professional (FPAC)
Timeline
Vice President of Financial Planning & Analysis
Novae, LLC
10.2023 - Current
Director of Financial Planning & Analysis
United States Steel Corporation
04.2020 - 10.2023
Director FP&A - USS Automotive Solutions
United States Steel Corporation
02.2016 - 04.2020
Plant Controller - USS Great Lakes Works
United States Steel Corporation
01.2014 - 01.2016
Manager - Financial Planning and Analysis
United States Steel Corporation
09.2010 - 12.2013
Department Manager, Accounting Services
United States Steel Corporation
05.2003 - 08.2010
Finance and Accounting Analyst
National Steel Corporation
07.1996 - 04.2003
- Corporate Financial Planning & Analysis Professional (FPAC)
BBA - Accounting
University of Michigan - Dearborn
MBA -
Mike Ilitch School of Business, Wayne State
Professional Training
Similar Profiles
Alexis Ivan Rodriguez-z PazAlexis Ivan Rodriguez-z Paz
Production Supervisor at Novae LLC TrailersProduction Supervisor at Novae LLC Trailers
VERONICA SHANAYDAVERONICA SHANAYDA
Corp Benefits Manager at Novae LLCCorp Benefits Manager at Novae LLC
Jeffrey MyersJeffrey Myers
Water Filtration/Maintenance Technician at Novae LLCWater Filtration/Maintenance Technician at Novae LLC