John Smits Email & Phone Number

Transitioned to a different platform within Madison Industries, one of the largest and most successful privately held companies in the world. As a core member of the leadership team of Madison Safety & Flow, I propel growth and transformation for this high-priority and high-growth vertical.• Partner with CEOs and executive teams to influence decisions regarding growth strategies, product innovation, simplification, manufacturing optimization, and process reengineering.

Promoted to lead a new business unit within Filtration Group and position the business for accelerated growth. Headed all operations, finance, product development, sales, HR, IT, and customer care, with accountability for the performance and wellbeing of 120 employees.• Diversified the business to maintain (and capitalize on) its telecom roots while entering unexplored segments, such as the electric vehicle charging market.• Mobilized teams to trigger 30% revenue growth and secure millions of dollars in new design wins within 12 months.• Inspired both engineering and sales teams to prioritize customers, enhancing both product development and customer communications.• Worked shoulder-to-shoulder with leadership team to create a people-first culture and environment. Introduced facility upgrades, wage adjustments, and incentive plans, and provided compassionate, accessible leadership. These combined efforts contributed to improving employee Net Promoter Score (NPS) by 50% and lowering voluntary turnover by 10%.

Built a future-ready organization at a pivotal time—initially enriching day-to-day operations and then protecting and scaling the company during the global pandemic.In this role, I ramped up capabilities and production in response to the Covid-19 demand surge for critical ventilator and oxygen concentrator filters. To ensure success, I worked diligently and collaboratively to create more robust and resilient operations, with dedicated, reliable, and cooperative teams.• Guided the business through an unprecedented increase in sales.• Transitioned commercial focus to high-value contract manufacturing opportunities serving the medical device space.• Expanded production in Mexico, and revved up North American supply of hardware and consumable products.

Joined a new business unit within Filtration Group and embraced combined roles as CFO and COO. I entered this position with a clear goal in mind: to jumpstart profitable growth.In order to achieve immediate yet sustainable outcomes, I made some important changes—up-leveling operations at four manufacturing sites, fine-tuning corporate finance, and deepening the culture. Together with executive peers, I galvanized the team (a total of 450 employees), who embraced this transformation and worked together to produce even greater-than-anticipated outcomes.• Buoyed gross margins by 400bps through a series of business and finance initiatives: optimizing headcount, enhancing labor productivity, and resolving issues with discounted pricing.• Increased EBITDA CAGR by 45% and revenue CAGR by 20% in three years at a key manufacturing facility by leading the strategic exit of legacy distribution customers and focusing on D2C eCommerce.• Captured trailblazing efficiencies through lean manufacturing, automation, and other operational improvements.

Stepped in to support the leadership team at Filtration Group Finishing to lead the direct-sales team. I led and motivated 10 sales and customer care associates, and quickly grew the direct-sales channel by implementing a series of changes:• Revamped the go-to-market (GTM) approach for better market and end-user alignment.• Redesigned pricing to expedite quoting processes and boost sales.• Deployed a new stocking strategy yielding industry-leading lead times.• Launched eCommerce to reach customers faster than ever before.

Drove due diligence and facilitated financing transactions for four M&As. Supported onboarding of three newly acquired companies to the corporate financial reporting system and enacted other integrations as well—identifying and seizing $5M in synergies. Also, in partnership with senior executives and reporting to the CFO, I contributed to lender calls and presentations to the board of directors.

Conducted in-depth financial research on 26 publicly traded companies in the technology, media, and communications fields. Presented investment strategies to clients and advised the Institutional Sales & Trading Group on current insights around market trends, business drivers, valuation metrics, and other topics.

Greater Chicago Area

Performed US GAAP financial statement audits for public companies, with special focus on the financial services industry.

Master Of Accountancy

Bachelor Of Business Administration - Bba, Accounting

Activities and Societies: University of Wisconsin Tennis Club, Beta Alpha Psi, Institute of Management Accountants