Jeffrey Buck Email & Phone Number

Allentown, Pennsylvania, Us

Leader of accounting, purchasing, and payroll/benefits functions, related directly and indirectly to the diocese administrative functions, ~100 parishes, ~50 schools, cemeteries, deposit & loan, investment pool, endowments and many ministry programs, and benevolent service organizations. Identified and implemented numerous reporting and analysis improvements supporting management analysis of operations and capital projects, and resulting in key organizational decisions. Improved the budgeting and planning processes, redesigned the accounting chart of accounts using fund accounting principles, investigated and implemented greater controls and accountability over restricted funds according to donor intent, eliminated deficiencies in benefits management, and realigned the functional responsibilities within the department to improve organizational perspectives and therefore quality of work. Through improved processes and greater use of technology, department personnel was reduced by nearly 1/3 while improving service levels. Taking hands-on ownership of multiple audits shortened completion time, and reduced annual external audit costs by 50%. Cash management was transitioned from reactive to proactive orientation, initiated coordinated central purchasing services negotiating vendor contracts which has provided cost reduction and efficiency opportunities across the organizations, and implemented cross-organizational systems to improve processes and reduce costs and errors.

Founded small business, providing consulting, training seminars, and bookkeeping assistance to local churches and businesses.

Primary financial contact for BASF divestment of USA/CAN polystyrene business, developing pro-forma financial history and forecast excluding intra-company effects to reflect stand-alone results of the business which has annual sales ~$0.5B. Gave management presentations to prospective acquirers, participated in audits and due diligence process throughout divestiture, as coordinated by Morgan Stanley. Lead transition of business accounting and financial systems and processes, including determination of transition services purchased from BASF. Appointed Chief Financial Officer of INEOS Styrenics, implementing complete accounting/finance practices, procedures and staffing requirements for the new company. Declined offer to relocate with administrative headquarters during 1Q 2006.

Finance Team Manager for 6 International Businesses within the Styrenics Group, NAFTA which has annual sales ~$2B including multiple manufacturing sites in USA/MEX. Financial analysis for strategic planning which has included plant startup, site rationalization, business divestiture, and $40M cost reduction program. Direct and conduct profitability analysis, current-year forecasting and 3-5 year operational planning, including presentations to Sr. Management. Participation in global benchmarking comparisons, global product flow planning, and capital project appropriations and audits. Enabled transfer-price negotiations between BASF companies globally, in conjunction with Tax Department. Satisfy routine and ad-hoc reporting requirements to BASF NAFTA as well as BASF AG (Parent Company - Germany). Strong interaction with related finance teams in Canada, Mexico, and Germany.

Corporate project to consolidate North/South American Finance & Logistics operations into a single integrated computer system, utilizing SAP client-server software. Sub-Project Leader for joint USA/CAN system and process design and implementation for A/R, Credit Mgmt, and integration topics between Sales/Invoicing, Logistics, General Ledger, Profitability Analysis, Controlling, and Closing. Responsibilities extended into scope definition, training & change management strategy, direction of custom programming, and coordination with parallel projects in Central/South America.

Corporate project to migrate North American logistics operations into a single integrated computer system, utilizing SAP mainframe software. Sub-Project Leader developing scope, timeline, resource needs/allocation, and task assignments and monitoring. The sub-projects included 1) Animal Nutrition Premix Business integrating just-in-time custom formulation and manufacturing across 4 manufacturing sites in USA/CAN, 2) Human Nutrition Business custom formulation enhancement within FDA requirements, and 3) several business integrations due to corporate acquisitions. Internal consultant to Business Groups for review and refinement of business re-engineering efforts including MRP and finite production scheduling. Primary responsibility for shipment scheduling/processing, invoicing and account adjustments, and credit management. Lead customer master record definition and configuration. Key training instructor.

Team Leader in review and implementation of department procedure changes focusing on enabling sales/shipments, improved exception reporting, and KPI’s. Liaison to Business Groups, including conducting workshops and presentations at sales/marketing functions. Routine responsibilities included all aspects of credit investigation, financial analysis and collection efforts pertaining to a portfolio of high-risk strategic customers. Frequent contact, with customers’ Sr. Management including routine travel/visits to assess liquidity, leverage, and cash-flow positions. Negotiations of security agreements, sales contracts, and litigation matters. Participation in National and Industry credit associations.

Coordinated the activities of 3 Credit Representatives in the NJ and CA branches.

Masters Of Business Administration, Corporate Finance

Bachelor'S Degree, Finance (Minor In Sociology)

Engineering Physics