Finance Manager, Corporate Real Estate
Chicago, Il, Us
Top finance role for corporate real estate division, $700M transactions. New Retail Stores Program, Property Development, AcquisitionsNOTABLE SEARS CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:Mergers and Acquisitions:• Led financial integration and productivity / synergy initiatives following Sears / Kmart merger. Partnered with cross-functional teams and businesses to capture $200M synergies.• Implemented Lands End acquisition, coordinating integration into existing Sears floor space, capital investment evaluation / decisions, operating processes, and selling strategy.Operations:• Expanded profit using analytics to evaluate pricing, vendors, and merchandising decisions. Created financial templates for operating teams to easily identify / execute best outcomes.• Implemented store simplification program, bringing operating efficiency, payroll savings, and improved customer service across all functions of store.• Created new automated financial matrix used by all buying / inventory teams, bringing monthly visibility to current / future financial and inventory drivers to effectively manage the business.Financial Planning and Analysis:• Partnered with business leadership teams to align business initiatives to short- / long-term goals.• Managed financial reporting, corporate analysis, and pricing teams, controlled company-wide inventory “open to buy” and markdown approval processes.• Developed internal and external benchmarking, annual incentive programs, and provided strategic business analysis to identify / evaluate profit growth opportunities.Real Estate:• Coordinated new retail store program and 250-acre property development, including budget requirements, capital spending, proforma financial evaluation, and post audits.• Assessed / authorized acquisitions, property development, lease vs. buy, sub-lease opportunities, store closing evaluations, and tax financing. • Developed financial cash flow model adopted for all new store capital analysis.