Laurel Garrido

Lead Finance, Accounting, and HR departments for a rapidly growing healthcare startup, overseeing a team of professionals and ensuring financial stability and compliance. Managed the successful integration of 8 acquisitions within a one-year period, driving seamless transitions and achieving synergies in operations and finance. Manage accounting and HR staff of 2 personnel. Direct report to Chief Executive Officer

• Negotiated contracts and agreements with vendors, partners, and stakeholders, optimizing financial terms and mitigating risks
• Implemented NetSuite, a leading cloud-based ERP system, to revolutionize financial management processes
• Led the end-to-end implementation, including requirements gathering, customization, training, and system integration
• Successfully streamlined workflows, improved data accuracy, and enhanced reporting capabilities, resulting in increased operational efficiency and informed decision-making across the organization, positioning the company for scalability and growth
• Implemented robust financial controls and reporting systems to support growth and scalability, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards.

Managed Finance and Accounting for a national leader in dry foods and beverage manufacturing. Responsible for direct supervision of all accounting and financial functions including financial and cost accounting activities, budgeting and forecasting, treasury, taxation, and audit for two independent businesses. Managed accounting staff of 7 personnel. Direct report to Chief Financial Officer.

• Led efforts to establish and optimize overhead rates, aligning them with production processes and business objectives
• Utilized cost allocation techniques to ensure fair and accurate distribution of overhead costs, enhancing cost transparency and accountability
• Developed and executed annual budgeting and forecasting processes to align financial objectives with business goals
• This involved collaborating with department heads to develop accurate forecasts, monitoring budget variances, and providing strategic recommendations to optimize resource allocation and maximize profitability
• Spearheaded cost-saving initiatives resulting in significant reductions in manufacturing expenses without compromising product quality
• This included renegotiating supplier contracts, optimizing inventory management systems, resulting in substantial bottom-line savings.

Managed Finance and Accounting for a global leader in design and manufacturing of closures for a wide range of applications in consumer and industrial markets. Ensured timely and accurate monthly, quarterly, and year-end close. Interpreted accounting, financial and manufacturing cost data to appropriately advise management of information necessary to optimize business performance in a timely manner. Presented monthly financial results to Global Leadership Team and Stakeholders. Direct report to Director of Finance at Corporate Headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana.

• Implemented robust inventory control measures to optimize stock levels, minimize carrying costs, and improve cash flow
• Utilized advanced inventory management techniques to ensure accurate inventory valuation and reduce the risk of stockouts or excess inventory
• Spearheaded cost accounting initiatives to accurately track and analyze manufacturing costs
• Developed cost allocation methodologies and established overhead rates tailored to the unique requirements of plastic injection molding
• Partnered with operations on initiatives to reduce labor costs through shared labor arrangements and cross-training initiatives
• Conducted detailed labor analysis to identify opportunities for efficiency improvements and cost savings, resulting in increased productivity and profitability.

Managed Finance, Accounting, HR for Medical Manufacturing company. Ensured timely and accurate monthly, quarterly, and year-end close. Produced monthly and annual financial reports including income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement. Responsible for budgets, forecasts, sales tax audits, and strategic business plans. Managed accounting and HR staff of three personnel. Direct report to President.

• Successfully led the implementation of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system tailored to the needs of the manufacturing industry
• This initiative streamlined operations, improved inventory management, and enhanced production planning capabilities, leading to increased efficiency and reduced lead times
• Built strong relationships with cross-functional teams including operations, sales, and supply chain to drive alignment between financial objectives and operational strategies
• Collaborated closely with department heads to identify opportunities for process improvement and cost optimization, fostering a culture of continuous improvement throughout the organization.

Managed an Accounting and Finance, Purchasing, and IT for publicly traded aerospace manufacturer at a plant that generated over $58 million in annual revenue. Responsible for all financial statements, internal and external audits, budgets, forecasts, and strategic business plans. Managed an accounting, purchasing, and IT staff of 12 personnel. Direct report to VP of Finance and Group Controller at Corporate Headquarters in Portland, Oregon.

• Collaborated with procurement and production teams to optimize inventory levels and minimize excess stock and conducted regular audits to identify discrepancies and root causes of inventory errors
• Continuously monitored changes in SOX regulations to stay updated
• Implemented a proactive approach by conducting regular risk assessments to identify potential areas of concern
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure a cohesive understanding of compliance requirements and foster a culture of compliance throughout the organization
• Prepared comprehensive reports and presentations for Quarterly Operational Reviews, highlighting key performance metrics, financial trends, and areas for improvement
• Collaborated with department heads to gather relevant data and insights for the review meetings
• Provided actionable recommendations to address any operational challenges and optimize plant performance.

This role was the cornerstone of my accounting career within the manufacturing sector. Responsibilities encompassed meticulous cost analysis, inventory valuation, and cultivating a deep understanding of financial intricacies unique to manufacturing operations. This pivotal experience laid the foundation for my expertise in optimizing costs, enhancing operational efficiency, and driving financial success within manufacturing environments.

• Managed cost accounting processes, including cost analysis, variance reporting, and inventory valuation, ensuring accuracy and compliance with financial regulations
• Spearheaded procurement activities, including vendor selection, negotiation of contracts, and inventory management, decreasing procurement costs
• Implemented inventory control measures to optimize stock levels and minimize excess inventory, improving cash flow and reducing carrying costs
• Collaborated cross-functionally with production, finance, and procurement teams to identify cost-saving opportunities and drive process improvements.