Blake Samson Email & Phone Number

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

• Maintain information technology strategies in a effective and engaging way• Manage, mentor and motivate IT employees to their highest potential• Research and implement unique and leading edge technological strategic solutions• Plan, monitor, and coach employees to peak performance• Coaches, counsels, and disciplines employees.• Initiate, coordinate, and enforce systems, policies and procedures• Maintain employees by recruiting, selecting, orienting, and training those joining the IT team• Support the maintenance of a safe and secure work environment• Maintain organization effectiveness and efficiency by defining and delivering strategic plans for implementing information technologies.• Direct technological research by studying organizational strategical objectives, best practices, and user projects• Complete projects by coordinating resources and timelines with departments and data centers• Verify application results by conducting system audits of technologies implemented• Preserve assets by implementing disaster recovery and back-up procedures and information security and control structures• Recommend information technology strategies, policies, and procedures by evaluating organizational outcomes and opportunities• Maintain quality services by establishing and enforcing organization standards• Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks, and participating in professional societies• Contribute to team efforts by accomplishing related results as needed.

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Owns the end-to-end management of the Quintiq Macro Planner application used for meat formulation and supply chain optimizationActively monitors model performance and implements targeted improvements to inputs, outputs, assumptions and optimizer settingsActs as primary escalation point for system issues for internal users and is responsible for raising technical issues with 3rd party application supportReporting and AnalyticsImplements new analytics capabilities to combine Quintiq planning data with data from elsewhere in the business to develop and enhance insights for business unit and operations leadershipSolicits analytics requests from the broader procurement organization and build pipeline of projects based on priority and impactBuilds and continuously improves data visualization dashboards in Tableau, including establishing back end data pipelines and relational database models that improve data refresh efficiencyTrains, runs and updates the predictive model used to forecast raw material yields from live slaughter operationPerforms tactical/strategic scenario analytics to model the impacts of changes in raw material supply, finished goods demand, formulations and production on meat procurement volumes and costLeverages analytical insights and simulations to identify cost-reduction opportunities, working with Finance and R&D to quantify, scope and track the implementation of those opportunities

Texas, United States

- Develops staff through coaching, providing performance feedback, providing effective performance assessments and establishing performance and development plans- Develop and maintain Work Management processes and work with Performance Monitoring Group to identify and trend Work Management KPIs- Manage the performance management process including goal setting and annual performance appraisals and provide necessary training for managers and employees- Provide focus and clarity in establishing individual goals, driving performance management, supporting career development and rewarding strong performance- Conduct interviews, make hiring decisions, provide salary recommendations, monitor and assign work; develop work plans and conduct performance evaluations- Coordinate with all location facility managers and assistant facility managers to provide project management and lease management support- Work as performance consultant to provide expert advice on performance management, development planning and coaching for HRBP and business leader

Texas, United States

Created ground-breaking strategies, authored business plans, and established tactical goals for various clients, consistently exceeding client expectations and objectives.Performed gap and risk analysis, developing effective resolutions for open issues.Consistently met with customers to perform an in-depth client site review to gather, analyze, and implement client business requirements.Authored a solutions document and transition plan while also documenting innovative solutions that developed future state call flows and transition plans.Served as one of seven subject matter experts tasked with developing a pioneering business strategy to integrate multiple lines of business into a unified service and product offering.