Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Languages
Websites
Timeline
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Pedro Mendez

Pedro Mendez

Elizabeth,NJ

Summary

Accomplished IT and Information Systems Executive with over 20 years of experience driving digital transformation, optimizing enterprise workflows, and reducing operational costs for leading manufacturers in the food, retail, and home goods sectors. Proven success in ERP and WMS implementations, cybersecurity strategy, and infrastructure modernization. Adept at integrating “bolt-on” solutions with Microsoft Dynamics NAV, Great Plains, and NetSuite to enhance business performance. Trusted leader with a track record of managing million-dollar budgets and delivering measurable results.

Veteran, United States Army National Guard, service OIF III.

Overview

25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Director of Information Technology and Systems

Pegasus Home Fashions
01.2024 - Current
  • Business Requirements Documentation (BRD): Contributed to the modification and updating of the BRD to align with business needs and ensure a smooth NetSuite implementation process
  • ERP & WMS Transition: Played a key role in transitioning Pegasus from a manual inventory control system, primarily QuickBooks and Excel, to a fully integrated NetSuite ERP and Warehouse Management system (WMS)
  • Process Improvement: Helped identify and document existing workflows, pain points, and opportunities for automation, significantly improving inventory accuracy and operational efficiency
  • Bin Control Implementation: Spearheaded the deployment of a bin control system across two manufacturing plants, improving inventory accuracy and operational efficiency for over 250 employees
  • EDI Integration: Played a key role in the selection and successful implementation of TrueCommerce EDI, streamlining electronic data interchange processes
  • Logistics Optimization: Collaborated with the procurement team to evaluate and hire RIM, enhancing import logistics and supply chain visibility
  • SKU & Item Structure Overhaul: Partnered with the production department to redesign SKU naming conventions and item structures, optimizing packing configurations for finished goods.
  • Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Developed and implemented SOPs for critical business processes including customer pricing, credit management, item creation, and billing.
  • Manufacturing Cost Tracking: Led the setup of Bills of Materials (BOM) and phantom items to improve cost tracking and waste reduction during production. Helped with the decision to implement Standard costing for FG and Average costing for Components
  • Data Storage Migration & Security: Led the restructuring of departmental data storage and implemented enhanced security protocols during the migration from Microsoft SharePoint to the Egnyte platform.
  • Vendor Oversight: Provided strategic oversight of third-party IT support services (Solarus Technologies), ensuring alignment with organizational goals and service-level expectations.
  • Network Security Upgrade: Strengthened cybersecurity across four operational sites (NJ, NY, SC, TX) by implementing Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), significantly reducing vulnerability to unauthorized access.
  • Video Surveillance Optimization: Increased adoption and trained personnel on the operational and security benefits of video surveillance systems at two manufacturing facilities.

Director of Information Technology

Tropical Cheese Industries
01.2019 - 01.2024
  • ERP Optimization: Directed a team of 120 users in the reimplementation of Microsoft Dynamics, increasing system efficiency by 70% across Order Entry, Warehouse, and Order Fulfillment departments.
  • Sales Automation: Redesigned and deployed Summit Works tablet software, enhancing real-time communication with the ERP system and streamlining sales operations.
  • Fleet Management: Implemented Fleetio, a modern fleet management system, improving vehicle tracking and maintenance scheduling.
  • Network Modernization: Upgraded core infrastructure from Windows Server 2012 to 2019, boosting performance and security.
  • Production Automation: Led deployment of Print and Apply Systems across three production departments, improving labeling accuracy and throughput.
  • EDI Integration: Deployed a new Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) module for Microsoft Dynamics, enhancing partner communication and order processing.
  • Wireless Infrastructure: Designed and deployed wireless network upgrades for HQ, corporate offices, and distribution centers.
  • Contract Management: Conducted annual reviews of vendor contracts, ensuring cost-effectiveness and compliance.
  • Cybersecurity Enhancements: Strengthened network defenses using Active Directory Group Policies (AD-GPO) to mitigate ransomware risks.
  • Compliance & Documentation: Collaborated with the CFO to develop SOPs, policies, and procedures aligned with cybersecurity insurance requirements.
  • Warehouse Optimization: Leveraged Dematic Pick Director to identify bottlenecks, reducing overtime by 50% and increasing throughput by 150% over three years.
  • Corporate Expansion: Designed and implemented network infrastructure for new corporate offices and a distribution center in Massachusetts, integrating ERP systems seamlessly.

IT Manager & Sr. Corporate IT Manager

Tropical Cheese Industries
01.2007 - 01.2015
  • Warehouse Automation: Oversaw the implementation of a pick-to-belt system using Dematic Pick Director for a new warehouse, improving order accuracy and throughput.
  • Budget Management: Managed annual departmental and capital expense budgets, aligning IT investments with business priorities.
  • Disaster Recovery: Set up and tested comprehensive disaster recovery protocols to ensure business continuity and data protection.
  • ERP Implementation: Led the deployment of Microsoft Dynamics NAV 5, advising leadership on the acquisition and development of WMS modules to support inventory and logistics operations.
  • System Integration: Designed a data exchange and validation interface between production systems and Dynamics NAV, enhancing data accuracy and operational visibility.
  • Sales Automation: Directed the development of sales automation tools to streamline order entry and improve field team productivity.
  • Reporting & Analytics: Created executive and departmental reports using Jet Reports, enabling data-driven decision-making.
  • Technical Documentation: Developed flowcharts and technical specifications for the ADC user interface to support system usability and training.
  • Manufacturing Optimization: Collaborated with the manufacturing team to improve raw material consumption practices and enhance finished goods production efficiency.

Network Administrator

Tropical Cheese Industries
01.2003 - 01.2007
  • Managed network infrastructure and support for multi-site operations, contributing to system reliability and user productivity.
  • Remote Site Connectivity: Set up and maintained network infrastructure for remote locations in Florida and Virginia, including VPN configuration for distribution centers.
  • Go-Live & Remote Support: Provided hands-on support during go-live phases and ongoing remote assistance for offsite teams.
  • Infrastructure Upgrades: Led network upgrades from Windows NT 4.0 to Windows 2000, and later to Windows Server 2003 R2, improving system performance and security.
  • Legacy System Maintenance: Supported Dejawin order entry software and maintained Unix AIX 4.0 systems, including line printers and terminals. Provided support for Gasboy fuel management systems.
  • Telephony Systems: Created hunt groups for the sales department
  • ERP Familiarity: Gained foundational experience with Great Plains ERP setup and configuration.

Network Administrator

Wardlaw-Hartridge School
06.2000 - 08.2002
  • Oversaw campus-wide IT operations, supporting over 250 workstations and mentoring interns in technology roles.
  • LAN Management: Designed, deployed, and maintained local area networks, ensuring stable connectivity and performance.
  • Email & Server Administration: Managed Microsoft Exchange 2000 and implemented network security protocols.
  • Security Monitoring: Utilized tools like Websense and NetXray for proactive network monitoring and threat detection.
  • Internship Program: Led a student internship initiative, providing hands-on experience and mentorship in IT support and systems administration.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) -

Centenary University

Associate of Science in Computer Science (AS) - undefined

Union County College

Skills

  • ERP Systems: Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2015 / NAV 5
  • Reporting Tools: Jet Analytics Designer, Jet Reports Designer
  • Network & Security: SonicWall appliances, Ubiquiti WLAN planning & deployment, AppAssure
  • Labeling & Automation: Loftware, Dematic Pick Director
  • Software Development: In-house application development
  • Compliance: HIPAA (ABA)
  • Vendor Management: Oversight of third-party developers and support teams
  • Project management
  • Product lifecycle management
  • Information security
  • Operations management
  • Vendor negotiations

Certification

  • Ubiquiti Enterprise Wireless Admin (UEWA) – Certified
  • Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)
  • Data Cabling Installer Certification (DCIC)
  • SQL Database Administrator
  • CompTIA Network+ – Certified
  • Project Management Training
  • CISSP Training

Languages

English
Spanish
Portuguese

Timeline

Director of Information Technology and Systems

Pegasus Home Fashions
01.2024 - Current

Director of Information Technology

Tropical Cheese Industries
01.2019 - 01.2024

IT Manager & Sr. Corporate IT Manager

Tropical Cheese Industries
01.2007 - 01.2015

Network Administrator

Tropical Cheese Industries
01.2003 - 01.2007

Network Administrator

Wardlaw-Hartridge School
06.2000 - 08.2002

Associate of Science in Computer Science (AS) - undefined

Union County College

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) -

Centenary University