Stephen Kaniewski
Gretna,NE
Summary
Accomplished senior executive with a multi-disciplinary background in operational and IT management. Demonstrated expertise in research and development, new product introductions, and strategic pricing to enhance shareholder value. Extensive international experience in Mexico, China, India, Australia, Europe, and Southeast Asia. Proven P&L experience with strong organizational development skills.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
Work History
Strategic Advisor
iDvera Software Inc.
2024.06 - Current
- Assisting principals in developing business strategy, target markets and pricing models to obtain seed funding for a non-GPS location service.
Owner
e-Algo
2016.07 - Current
- Initial investor in an algorithmic trading platform targeting currency pairs that is used by hedge funds, family offices, and other institutional investors.
Chief Executive Officer
Valmont Industries, Inc.
2018.01 - 2023.07
- Served as a Member of the Board of Directors and was responsible for all global operations in 86 locations and 22 countries generating $4.2B in revenue with approximately 11,000 employees in FY 2023.
- Consolidated external reporting segments from four to two streamlining investor communications and reporting complexity and costs, Infrastructure and Agriculture.
- Major product lines include: Utility Support Structures, Traffic and Lighting Support Structures, Telecom Structures and Components, Coatings, Pivot Irrigation, and AgTech.
- Divested two non-core businesses and closed ten acquisitions, aligned with the strategic plan.
- Became pricing leader in all markets served, with a focus on Pricing Advantage principles. Realigned sales compensation and intercompany pricing to best serve tax strategies.
- Grew revenue by 50%, and Total Shareholder return by 73% over 5 years tenure.
- Improved after-tax return on invested capital from 7% to over 15%.
Chief Operating Officer
Valmont Industries, Inc.
2016.09 - 2017.12
- Appointed as President and COO to run operations for all the company's reporting segments as the CEO 'in waiting'. Tax, Legal, and Human Resources continued to report to the CEO.
Group President
Valmont Industries, Inc.
2015.08 - 2016.10
- Global P&L Responsibility for the Utility Support Structures Segment.
- Utility Products Segment was one of four global segments for Valmont with $631M in revenue for FY2016.
- Appointed to the position as a turnaround situation and to address investor concerns. Closed five manufacturing facilities, raised prices on average 15%, and settled a lengthy and expensive lawsuit with two major customers.
- Improved operating margin by 87% between FY 2015 and FY 2016, and 50% overall during tenure.
- The manufacturing footprint of the segment was primarily across North America with 10 manufacturing sites and 8 mixed use sites internationally employing +1800 associates.
- Products consisted of transmission and substation structures, which were individually engineered, to distribution structures, which were specification products.
Senior Vice President / Managing Director Utility Support Structures
Valmont Industries, Inc.
2015.01 - 2015.07
- P&L Responsibility for the Utility Support Structures Segment, with primary focus to address declining margins and profit erosion.
- Utility Products Segment of Valmont was $873 Million in revenue for FY2014.
- The manufacturing footprint is spread primarily across North America, with fourteen manufacturing sites.
Global Vice President Operations
Valmont Industries, Inc.
2013.11 - 2015.04
- Responsible for the global supply chain and manufacturing operations of the Global Irrigation Division with revenues of $882MM in FY 2013
- Manufacturing plants in Nebraska, USA, China, Australia, South Africa, Dubai, Argentina, Brazil, and Spain.
- Included leadership of the division's efforts related to: Continuous Improvement, Lean Manufacturing, Purchasing, Sourcing, Production Control, Manufacturing Engineering, Order Management, S&OP, Quality Assurance, and Freight/Logistics.
VP of Information Technology
Valmont Industries, Inc.
2010.08 - 2014.03
- Led Corporate IT group with resources in the US, France, Australia, China, India, and Malaysia for a diversified international manufacturing company with 105 global manufacturing locations that produces fabricated metal products; traffic pole and tower structures; utility structures; access systems; grinding media for mining; coatings; and mechanized irrigation systems.
- Responsible for leading information technology strategic plans, policies, programs, and schedules for business and finance data processing, computer services, network communications, application development, engineering systems development, and management information services to accomplish corporate and divisional goals and objectives.
VP Global IT Applications
Belden
2008.01 - 2010.08
- Led Global SAP deployment program for the company, reporting to the CIO, utilizing an 'Opt-In' methodology. A strong business case at the business unit or functional area is required for individual project approvals.
- Completed global CRM deployment in the Americas, India, China, and Southeast Asia, as well as HCM/Payroll in the Americas.
- Responsibilities included accountability for the global applications budget, system integrator selection, developing program and project methodology, oversight of all local deployments, and creation of a Global Applications Support Team.
VP Operations / Country Director Mexico
Belden
2004.06 - 2007.12
- Accountable for all operational areas in a division with +$400MM in annual revenue, 4 production facilities and 2 distribution facilities in the United States and Mexico totaling over 1500 employees.
- Products were split evenly between discrete engineered and military/aerospace specification.
- Led the divisional Lean transformation and strategic deployment process, working with the corporate Lean coaches.
- Oversaw manufacturing, engineering, purchasing, and plant accounting departments.
VP Operations
Cable Design Technologies - CDT
1999.11 - 2004.05
- The primary role was to improve manufacturing footprints to regain profitability as the company evolved from a holding company to an operating company.
- Required closing and consolidating a number of the lower-performing business units following the telecom collapse.
Project Manager
Pacifiq Systems / BSSI
1998.01 - 1999.11
- Managed multiple ERP implementation projects for a diversity of manufacturing companies, including Kimberly Clark, Wham-O Toys, Thibiant Cosmetics, and ELO Touch Screens.
- Delivered projects on time and on budget, including a rapid 2-month full ERP deployment of QAD at Wham-O.
Project Manager
Renaissance Software
1997.07 - 1997.12
- Served as a project manager for start-up firm that provided software for companies in the direct Marketing Industry
- Managed projects that had an emphasis on fulfillment operations including Walt Klein Associates who distributed the 'We Card' Program to every cigarette retailer in the United States
- Assisted in the creation of the data dictionary for the software application.
Operations Manager
National Media Corp
1995.04 - 1997.06
- Direct report to the Plant Manager.
- Was in charge of all fulfillment operations, including inventory management, operations, and shipping.
- The facility typically shipped 15-25K orders per day, with a peak of up to 40K orders per day, via USPS, UPS, and FedEx.
- Initiated zone skipping process using technology that resulted in savings of $10K a load when shipping to customers.
- Included managing an organization of 30 full-time employees and up to 200 temporary associates.
Assistant Store Manager
Hermans Sporting Goods
1987.07 - 1995.03
- Worked at Hermans when they acquired Gold Medal Sporting Goods, the company I had worked at part-time during school.
- Held various positions including Assistant Store Manager (Springfield, Andorra, Kirkland Highway, and Newtown Square stores) as well as in Institutional Sales Department, Training and on the New Store Opening Team.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Sociology
Santa Clara University
06.1994
Cardinal O'Hara High School
06.1990
Skills
- Strategy Development
- Board Governance
- Talent Management
- Operational Excellence
- International Revenue Growth
- Financial Acumen
- Information Technology Strategy Development
- Pricing and Marketing Strategies
- Acquisitions and Divestitures
- Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement
- Specialty Product R&D strategy
- New Product Introductions
- Lean Management and Continuous Improvement
Personal Information
Title: Strategic Advisor | Sales and Pricing Improvements, Manufacturing Processes, Capital Allocation, New Product Development, Strategy Development
Languages
Spanish
Professional
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Strategic Advisor
iDvera Software Inc.
2024.06 - Current
Chief Executive Officer
Valmont Industries, Inc.
2018.01 - 2023.07
Chief Operating Officer
Valmont Industries, Inc.
2016.09 - 2017.12
Owner
e-Algo
2016.07 - Current
Group President
Valmont Industries, Inc.
2015.08 - 2016.10
Senior Vice President / Managing Director Utility Support Structures
Valmont Industries, Inc.
2015.01 - 2015.07
Global Vice President Operations
Valmont Industries, Inc.
2013.11 - 2015.04
VP of Information Technology
Valmont Industries, Inc.
2010.08 - 2014.03
VP Global IT Applications
Belden
2008.01 - 2010.08
VP Operations / Country Director Mexico
Belden
2004.06 - 2007.12
VP Operations
Cable Design Technologies - CDT
1999.11 - 2004.05
Project Manager
Pacifiq Systems / BSSI
1998.01 - 1999.11
Project Manager
Renaissance Software
1997.07 - 1997.12
Operations Manager
National Media Corp
1995.04 - 1997.06
Assistant Store Manager
Hermans Sporting Goods
1987.07 - 1995.03
Bachelor of Science - Sociology
Santa Clara University
Cardinal O'Hara High School
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