Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Generic

ROBERT L. WILLIAMS JR.

Frankfort,IL

Summary

OPERATIONS AND PROGRAM LEADERSHIP PROFILE Operational Excellence | Corporate Transformation | Project/Program Management Accomplished senior executive leader with proven success in developing, implementing and optimizing business processes to enhance long-term profitability. Astute leader with strategic mindset demonstrated over 20-year multi-industry career. Collaborate cross-functionally on large-scale initiatives to meet dynamic industry challenges.

Overview

20
20
years of professional experience
4
4
Certification

Work History

Vice President Transformation

EMPIRE TODAY (Home Improvement)
Northlake, IL
01.2022 - 01.2023
  • Developed 3 year Transformation roadmap with C Suite and Board of Directors to drive substantial growth and employee retention
  • This included providing critical insight and analysis in support of transformation initiatives including analysis and synthesis of the situation, the development of recommendations, proposed work plans, socialization and implementation planning, and desired output
  • Created the OCM (Organizational Change Management) Center of Excellence with a focus on strategy, tools, and tactics for implementing change throughout the company
  • Executed transformation programs, setting program management routines and bring focus to the team on the activities required to deliver on planned benefits
  • Directed program activities to ensure high quality results within defined time, meeting operational standards and budget schedules
  • Collaborated with business leaders and executive team to develop the end-to-end approach and evaluation of transformation programs
  • Proactively worked with program teams to identify cross-functional complexities and resolve program level risks
  • Resolved high-level conflicts and negotiated with stakeholders
  • Present analyses and insights to senior leadership, socializing recommendations, and driving to implementation and value creation
  • Ensured that all project objectives are being managed and are currently on track towards predetermined milestones
  • This included making sure that projects are completed on time and that key employees have the appropriate amount of work to be successful across all functional areas of the business
  • Provided timely and effective cost tracking reports, insights, and analysis
  • Processed and synthesized transformation program outputs into executive-level presentations, updates, risks, mitigations, and business recommendations
  • Strategic leadership: Assisted senior leaders in making strategic decisions around return on investment, cultural development, and overall change management
  • Served as a primary resource for leaders for all issues related to integration and transformation.

Vice President Transformation and Project Management Office

ZONES LLC (IT Hardware Supply Chain Operations)
Carol Stream, IL
01.2021 - 01.2022
  • Created an Enterprise Project Management Office through the consolidation of several disparate support groups and identification of off-shore resources aimed at delivering all aspects of client IT hardware fulfillment, support, and growth opportunities to Fortune 500 companies including: Nike, AllState, StateFarm, Google, FaceBook, TMobile
  • This new organization provided a cost reduction of 40% (GS&A target savings of $700K)
  • Transformed the current operating model and Sales and Operations organizations to streamline the business model and support the customer base to improve the customer journey and customer experience
  • Introduced a new proprietary software used to manage client demand of IT hardware and software requirements as well as establishing operational playbooks to improve efficiency and effectiveness of the organization
  • Managed a global team of Program Managers, Project Managers, and Deployment Specialists (~70 FTEs)
  • Established a Governance structure to review performance with the customer base on operational status and forecast impacts
  • Created corporate-level balanced scorecard and key performance indicators and success metrics.

ENTERPRISE TRANSFORMATION and TECHNOLOGY PMO LEADER

SHORR PACKAGING (Packaging, Warehousing, Manufacturing, Distribution Company)
Aurora, IL
01.2019 - 01.2021
  • Partnered collaboratively and collectively as a Transformation Leader with the Board of Directors and C-Suite team to drive enhanced customer outcomes and improved financial performance by developing a comprehensive strategic roadmap based on improvements to current-state business operations and through longer-term redesign of how business value is delivered
  • The result has provided an increase in sales of 35% and a decrease in operational costs of 25%
  • Under the Office of the CIO, developed a value proposition in the creation of an enterprise PMO aimed at delivering all aspects of Project and Portfolio Management (including project / program / portfolio execution, project methodology and governance, project financials, project and portfolio reporting and project management direction)
  • Established a Governance structure and Transformation Model working with Executive Leaders from HR, Finance, Supply Chain, IT, Marketing, and Operations to identify technology opportunities, develop business cases, source vendors, implement solutions, and oversee the adoption to drive to a Future State
  • Created corporate-level balanced scorecard and key performance indicators and success metrics
  • Created and owned the Shorr Innovation Management Office that consisted of developing the core pillars of Enterprise PMO, Vendor Management Office, Technology Investment strategy (RPA, Automation, Productivity tools), Business Analytics, and Training
  • Lead and facilitated the organizational change management initiative – partnering with business leaders and HR, to set and maintain focus on the business context for change and to plan and execute detailed change management activities.

ENTERPRISE TRANSFORMATION LEADER

CORPORATE STRATEGY PARTNERS (Management Consulting)
Chicago, IL
01.2017 - 01.2019
  • Acted as a strategic advisor to the office of the CIO in the creation of short term and long-term goals and objectives for a corporate-wide digital transformation
  • Provided thought leadership in design thinking, change management, and success criteria to be implemented around key technology initiatives
  • Developed a Technology Investment Lifecycle framework designed to support corporate functions in identifying solutions to business problems
  • Created an IT Business Partner practice aimed at providing technology transformation and IT investment management services to support the overall corporate technology roadmap
  • Developed a Digital Coach Program that provided technology solutions to support corporate-wide business functional leadership utilizing an expert team of technology SMEs and trainers
  • Worked closely with program managers/product managers to inform them of business requirements and business case for the development of product road maps and product enhancements utilizing AGILE/Scrum framework
  • Worked closely with IT operations around vendor selection and vendor relationships for 3rd party technologies that are used by the business or the clients of the business.

Enterprise Transformation Consultant

AbbVie
Waukegan, IL
10.2017 - 06.2018
  • Identified, developed, and presented strategic transformation roadmaps encompassing critical investments in technology while ensuring that all strategies drive improved business performance
  • Responsible for managing a portfolio of enterprise program initiatives including financial analysis, health status, and long range planning development which included infrastructure development utilizing AGILE methodology.

ENTERPRISE TRANSFORMATION PROGRAM DIRECTOR

JOHNSON CONTROLS (Global Manufacturing)
Milwaukee, WI
01.2014 - 01.2017
  • Developed the PMO and IT strategy for the Global Manufacturing Operational Excellence Leadership Team that focused on the transformation and creation of the One JCI Operating System that included the design, development, and deployment of enterprise-wide applications utilizing AGILE methods along with SDLC methodology
  • Under of Office of the CIO, responsible for building and providing direction to the IT Enterprise Program Management Office for a $1.3B global SAP ERP design, development, and implementation project which includes the overall project planning, execution, and delivery of a standard Procure-to-Pay global process utilizing a SAP platform
  • Responsible for program governance which consisted of senior leadership stakeholder engagement including chairing steering committee meetings, developing executive-level presentations, communications planning, financial management, project resourcing, and business case realization of various project portfolios as well as implementing project methodology in accordance the Enterprise Project Management Office.

PROCUREMENT CENTER OF EXCELLENCE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT OFFICE LEADER (INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT)

MONDELEZ INTERNATIONAL (KRAFT FOODS)
Deerfield, IL
01.2012 - 01.2013
  • Developed a transformation strategy to implement the design and execution of a global Procurement and Accounts Payable shared services organization resulting in a cost savings of ~$12M savings
  • Developed and implemented the North America Procure to Pay Process Optimization strategy resulting in a cost savings of ~$5M
  • Developed and managed a portfolio of Lean/Six Sigma optimization projects (~20) utilizing a team of regional process SMEs.

GLOBAL PROCESS TRANSFORMATION DIRECTOR

BRITISH PETROLEUM (Oil and Gas)
Warrenville, IL
01.2007 - 01.2011
  • Designed and directed the Procure to Pay organization within the Americas Shared Service Center consisting of 120+ employees
  • Established a global strategy for identifying non-core transactional activities and stabilizing, standardizing, optimizing, and sourcing business processes to off-shore service providers
  • Formed Procurement Excellence Council that identified, monitored, and improved BP Global process standards, policies, and activities
  • Managed a global team in the implementation of a suite of CI projects aimed at reducing transactional costs, increasing cash flow, and improving supplier relationships.

ENTERPRISE CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT PMO MANAGER

UNITED AIRLINES (Transportation)
Elk Grove Village, IL
01.2006 - 01.2007
  • Facilitated end to end process transformations by department (Purchasing, Accounts Payable, and Payroll); identifying opportunities to apply Lean Six Sigma principles by eliminating waste and driving sustainable improvements in cost, quality, service, and safety.

Education

Master of Science - Manufacturing/Operations Management

KETTERING UNIVERSITY

Bachelor of Science - Industrial Engineering/Engineering Management

PURDUE UNIVERSITY

Skills

  • Process Improvement
  • Business Storytelling
  • Team Leadership
  • Complex Problem-Solving
  • Strategic Planning
  • Critical Thinking
  • Performance Monitoring
  • OKRs and KPIs
  • Presentations
  • Policy and Procedure Development
  • Risk Management
  • Operations Management

Certification

  • Lean Six Sigma Master Black belt (LSS MBB)
  • Project Management Professional (PMP)
  • Organizational Change Management (OCM)
  • Agile/Scrum Product Owner (Agile/Scrum)
  • Mergers & Acquisitions Certification (M&A)

Timeline

Vice President Transformation

EMPIRE TODAY (Home Improvement)
01.2022 - 01.2023

Vice President Transformation and Project Management Office

ZONES LLC (IT Hardware Supply Chain Operations)
01.2021 - 01.2022

ENTERPRISE TRANSFORMATION and TECHNOLOGY PMO LEADER

SHORR PACKAGING (Packaging, Warehousing, Manufacturing, Distribution Company)
01.2019 - 01.2021

Enterprise Transformation Consultant

AbbVie
10.2017 - 06.2018

ENTERPRISE TRANSFORMATION LEADER

CORPORATE STRATEGY PARTNERS (Management Consulting)
01.2017 - 01.2019

ENTERPRISE TRANSFORMATION PROGRAM DIRECTOR

JOHNSON CONTROLS (Global Manufacturing)
01.2014 - 01.2017

PROCUREMENT CENTER OF EXCELLENCE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT OFFICE LEADER (INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT)

MONDELEZ INTERNATIONAL (KRAFT FOODS)
01.2012 - 01.2013

GLOBAL PROCESS TRANSFORMATION DIRECTOR

BRITISH PETROLEUM (Oil and Gas)
01.2007 - 01.2011

ENTERPRISE CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT PMO MANAGER

UNITED AIRLINES (Transportation)
01.2006 - 01.2007

Master of Science - Manufacturing/Operations Management

KETTERING UNIVERSITY

Bachelor of Science - Industrial Engineering/Engineering Management

PURDUE UNIVERSITY

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE
ROBERT L. WILLIAMS JR.