Advantage Solutions is a private equity backed leader in the retail services industry, providing outsourced solutions for aspects all along the consumer purchase path to both CPG companies and retailers. I am responsible for all finance and accounting related activities for company’s largest division, including P&L management, month end financial reviews, forecasting, budgeting, reporting and analytics.• Contribute to company’s business development efforts, assessing the financial and strategic merits of new offerings, creating pro-forma financial models and helping present opportunities to potential clients. • Lead client profitability analyses and contribute to profit-improvement initiatives, including turnaround effort for client relationship losing $5mm in one year.• Key participant in contract negotiations, including company’s largest client contract at $100mm annually. • Direct a team of 20 finance professionals, including team structuring, hiring and development

Held financial responsibility for the following business areas: omni-channel, marketing, membership, mobile, online media program, and content & creative. Built up finance function via hiring and developing staff, as well as establishing infrastructure, routines, and processes. Managed financial performance of Club Pickup program, the fastest-growing portion of the Sam's Club business. • Owned financial performance of Club Pickup enhancements, including investments in drive-through, curbside, mobile check in, and easy reorder tool.• Collaborated with business partners to develop options for last-mile distribution of goods from retailer to consumer/small business. Created analytical tool for comparing cost effectiveness of various business models. • Analyzed shipping fee proposal for online business to quantify economic impact, then advised senior executives on viability of alternative options and related cost-saving solutions.

Led finance and strategy for company’s Midwest division, with over 350 stores and $20B in annual revenue. Managed all aspects of financial performance, and partnered with operations leadership, providing insights and analysis to drive desired results. Oversaw all activities related to planning, budgeting, and forecasting for the division. Worked cross-functionally to identify strategic opportunities, drive initiatives, and analyze resultant impact to the business. • Directed competitive pricing analysis to counteract declining grocery share in Midwest division; examined pricing dynamics and led cross-functional team to implement various initiatives, resulting in recovery of market share.• Evaluated new store and expansion programs to ensure appropriate return on investment, including urban, small-format pilots in the city of Chicago.• Generated over $50M in store labor productivity gains by revamping sales forecasting process and allocation of labor hours, as well as implementing weekly accountability reporting.

Managed strategic planning process for company’s international operations, and contributed to divisional strategy. Identified prospective new markets for entry, and assessed strategic fit. Developed executive presentations to communicate divisional strategies and performance to board of directors and external investment community. • Directed analysis of emerging retail markets, including South Africa; recommended Sub-Saharan Africa growth strategy. • Improved relevance of global prioritization model, providing deeper analysis and better direction to international M&A efforts. • Wrote innovative white paper for Walmart Board of Directors, analyzing China’s long-term future and focusing on consumer wealth distribution, high-growth areas, and manufacturing competitiveness from a retail and sourcing perspective. • Expanded audience and forum for review of business unit strategic plans, yielding better alignment across functions and enhancing coordination among various country operations.

Contributed to development of new ventures outside company’s current scope, while leveraging core assets, expertise, and scale. Led evaluation of new business concepts within the energy space, including discounted cash flow analysis. Identified key drivers, and worked to optimize value creation for firm. Prepared and communicated financial business case to executive management. Served as key participant in M&A efforts related to proposed ventures. Valued potential acquisition as well as equity option in privately held company.

Led financial modeling for India market entry during feasibility study, joint venture negotiation, and creation of operating plan. Helped define store formats via benchmarking and strategic analysis; ultimately resulted in Bharti-Walmart joint venture approval by board of directors. Created tool for Walmart’s international team to measure return on invested capital (ROIC) in each of the company’s operating businesses. Led educational efforts within division to establish ROIC as key performance indicator. Advised senior management regarding impact of actions under consideration to ROIC. Participated in country-level planning processes, including strategic planning, annual budgeting, and establishing management incentive programs.

Responsible for valuation model used to assess new store opportunities within company’s international division, driving both financial theory as well as process development. Advised users in 15 countries on model application. Presented regularly to executive committee comprised of the company’s most senior leaders. Participated in review and approval process for $4B in international capital expenditures.

Performed investment analysis, forecasting, and statistical analysis to aid business unit leaders in decision making. Handled business unit’s annual review, prepared detailed budget, helped shape department’s annual strategy, and created presentation for executive committee.

Managed team of 401(k) Analysts, responsible for client relations and ensuring work product adhered to IRS regulations and firm's procedural guidelines. Initiated and led task force to revamp cost-accounting philosophy and pricing strategy.