SAP ECC 60 on HANA
Paul Connolley
Director Of Operations
Saint Charles,IL
Summary
Dynamic Director of Operations with a proven record of driving operational excellence, cost reduction, and process improvement across departments. Focused on building a culture of critical thinking, communication, growth, and collaboration to ensure teams are unified in achieving organizational goals. Beginning a career in a warehouse, and leveraging curiosity and an eagerness to learn, allowed the ability to gain expertise in quality control, IT systems, supply chain management, and production. This hands-on experience has shaped and supported the ability to lead cross-functional teams and implement data-driven strategies that enhance overall business performance.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Operations
Heritage Travelware, LTD
Elgin, IL
05.2022 - Current
- Rescued and streamlined troubled ERP and EDI migration, ensuring successful go-live within standard timelines and no interruptions in daily business.
- Identified opportunities for cost reduction and process improvement, implementing changes and renegotiating contracts that resulted in savings exceeding $300,000 within 1.5 years.
- Implemented data-driven decision-making processes to enhance operational performance and achieve targets.
- Oversaw daily operations across multiple departments, ensuring seamless coordination and efficient execution of tasks.
- Drove revenue growth through identification of new market opportunities and expansion of existing products/services offerings.
- Enhanced customer experience by implementing client feedback loop that directly informed operational improvements and product adjustments
- Spearheaded negotiation of cost-effective contracts with suppliers, significantly reducing operational expenses without compromising on quality
- Established strong partnerships with vendors, suppliers, and key stakeholders to improve collaboration and ensure alignment with business requirements
- Managed budgets and resources, optimizing allocation for maximum impact on business objectives
- Fostered culture of continuous improvement by leading workshops and training sessions on best practices and innovative operational strategies
Digital / IT Manager
Fast-Rite International, Inc.
Glendale Heights, IL
01.2017 - 05.2022
- Initiated company developments in technology beginning with determining project needs and professional requirements, and identifying correct course of action to achieve team success.
- Evaluate current business practices to identify cost reductions, productivity improvements and maximize resources.
- Oversaw and coordinated internal and external resources to achieve project goals within timeline and budget requirements.
- Guided organizational technology strategy and roadmaps.
- Conferred with executives to advise and plan for short-term and long-term IT system upgrade needs.
- Managed deployment, monitoring, maintenance, development, upgrade, and support of all IT systems.
- Supported 51 end users, PCs, OS, hardware, software, and peripherals across branches in US, MX, and Taiwan
- Successfully migrated 39 staff members to remote work overnight with 0 down time due to COVID-19.
- Spearheaded eCommerce initiative by developing project plan, coordinating internal and external resources, performing customer surveys, sourcing eCommerce agencies and development partners, and conducting thorough RFP process to ensure our partners aligned with our goals and fit our company culture.
- Implemented security awareness training regiment to ensure end users were prepared against ongoing phishing, social engineering, and ransomware attacks
- Implemented next gen firewalls, end point protection, and strict layered security policies to ensure sensitive information was not at risk.
- Implemented IT policies and procedures including security, disaster recovery, standards, purchasing, and service provisions.
- Negotiated vendor and consultant contracts and service agreements.
- Promoted collaboration between cross-functional teams by integrating disparate systems into unified platforms for improved communication and workflow efficiency.
Operations Manager
Fast-Rite International, Inc.
Glendale Heights, IL
03.2015 - 01.2017
- Oversaw development, maintenance, and oversight of controls, policies, standards, and procedures for multiple distribution centers in IL and MX.
- Safeguarded warehouse operations and mitigated liability by establishing and implementing employee training on safety and security protocols.
- Boosted warehouse operations performance by overseeing dispatching and setting optimal employee schedules.
- Oversaw upkeep of equipment and physical condition of warehouse, identifying and ordering needed repairs, renovations and replacements.
- Reviewed established business practices and improved processes to increase efficiencies and reduce expense without compromising customer service levels.
- Redesigned warehouse layout to accommodate new equipment, maximize space utilization and optimize processes.
- Interviewed, hired, trained and mentored 23 staff across 3 branches by coaching daily, leading performance reviews and offering constructive feedback
- Collaborated with external SAP developers to enhance ERP system, streamlining processes across WM and QA landscape
Warehouse Manager
Fast-Rite International
Glendale Heights, IL
05.2008 - 03.2015
- Evaluated incoming shipments for quality issues and processed unacceptable materials for return.
- Kept documentation and records accurate and up-to-date with latest data to prevent errors in processing or delivery.
- Routinely reviewed and evaluated freight carriers, sourcing and negotiated new rates and lanes to reduce inbound and outbound costs.
- Trained new staff on job duties, company policies and safety procedures for rapid onboarding.
- Established monthly cycle counting to ensure company maintained 99.9% inventory accuracy.
- Reviewed daily On Time Performance for outgoing shipments to ensure 98.5% on time delivery to our customers and initiate corrective actions when required.
- Built motivated warehouse team to consistently accomplish operations goals and exceed performance targets.
- Member of SAP Implementation team which was foundational to my success in understanding ERP best practices and setting my path to technological and process growth
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Automotive Technology And Photography
College of DuPage
Glen Ellyn, ILSkills
Project Management
Business Process Development
Disaster Recovery Planning
Documentation and reporting
Requirements analysis
Work flow planning
Staff Management
Data analysis
Strategic partnerships
Risk mitigation planning
Strategic planning and execution
Workforce Planning
Cost Control
Quality Assurance
Leadership training
Software
Microsoft Office365 applications and administration
Microsoft Power BI
Microsoft Active Directory
SAP Cloud for Customer (Sales Cloud)
Adobe Creative Cloud
1EDI (Epicor)
Microsoft SharePoint
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
Insight Works Dynamic Ship
TrueCommerce EDI
CommerceHub/DSCO
Timeline
Director of Operations
Heritage Travelware, LTD
05.2022 - Current
Digital / IT Manager
Fast-Rite International, Inc.
01.2017 - 05.2022
Operations Manager
Fast-Rite International, Inc.
03.2015 - 01.2017
Warehouse Manager
Fast-Rite International
05.2008 - 03.2015
Associate of Applied Science - Automotive Technology And Photography
College of DuPage