Michael Lowes Email & Phone Number

Greater Seattle Area

Vice President of Finance, working with a team of 11. Completed Q3 reporting, 2019 budget and 3 year strategic model.

Preston, WA

• Responsible for TR's strategy and business analytics teams along with business development domestically and internationally. Currently selling in 21 countries.
• Established daily BI dashboards that improved communication and decision making across the organization for customer / retail sales and supply chain activities utilizing Power BI.
• Created a project management team and implemented the Stage Gate Process, which improved project efficiencies and speed-to-market.
• Increased international sales on the Sparkling ICE brand by over 200%; while generating positive net income.
• Negotiated a strategic alliance with TATA Global Waters to distribute Himalayan Natural Mineral Water in the U.S. Launched pilot in March 2018.

Preston, WA

• Led a team of more than 275 employees that were responsible for Sales, Strategy and Supply Chain functions:
• Increased revenue by $74MM or 33%, by expanding the DSD network and restructuring the Sales Team. Sparkling ICE brand became National Category Leader.
• Increased focus on margin and expense controls, gross margin increased by 18%.
• Negotiated contracts with Co-packers, Distributors and Suppliers that created long term sustainable partnerships.

Preston, WA

• Provided full function CFO services in finance, accounting, tax preparation and business planning. Directed purchasing, IT and other administrative functions with a total of 20 employees:
• Established banking relationships and secured Asset Based Loan.
• Instilled greater discipline and structure into financial management and purchasing.
• Implemented ERP upgrades, process automation, control policies, improved financial reporting tools and key performance indicators to lay the foundation for Talking Rain to grow.
• Collaborated with the Executive Team to create the first 3-year strategic plan and developed new financial statements and financial models to establish goals and track improvements.

Greater Seattle Area

• Managed development and implementation of strategy, mergers and acquisitions: Darigold is a $2.2B Dairy Cooperative with 13 manufacturing locations in the Northwest.
• Coordinated development, approval, and implementation of 5 year strategic plan utilizing Porter’s Five Force, SWOT analysis, Strategy Maps, and Balanced Scorecards.
• Served as Team Lead on three dairy company acquisitions with sales over $200M and conducted buy-side due diligence.
• Collaborated with Board of Directors on successful merger with a $50M Dairy Cooperative.
• Oversaw capital investments budgeting and analysis on $30M annual investment; utilizing discounted cash flow models and developed project NPVs.

Greater Seattle Area

• Managed annual operations budget, forecasting, monthly close, and product costing for manufacturing facilities: with aggregate costs in excess of $1B. Developed and coached a staff of plant controllers and cost.
• Conducted network rationalization studies that led to consolidation of production and to the decision to exit some product lines.

Greater Seattle Area

• Directed budgeting, forecasting, costing, pricing, margin analysis, and customer service for a $400M division with a team of 25 employees.
• Led negotiations on $70M co-pack agreement with Nestle Beverages.

Greater Chicago Area

Supported annual budget of $300M for Kraft North America, comprised of 67 distribution locations in United States and Canada. Delivered $48 MM in savings. Financial lead on cross functional team that integrated Kraft's, General Foods' and Oscar Mayer's distribution networks.

Sherman, Texas And Coshocton, Ohio

Cost Accounting Supervisor and Plant Controller at several facilities.Responsibilities included costing, period close, budgeting, information technology, and customer service.