Patrick Fitzgerald Email & Phone Number

Charlotte, NC, US

Charlotte, NC, US

FUSE provides financial consulting, accounting and Fractional CFO services to lower middle-market companies. FUSE makes owning a business more profitable, sustainable and fun using our proprietary 16-step "FUSION" model. The FUSE team includes award-winning CFOs, Controllers, Analysts, Accountants and Operations Experts, available to our clients on-demand.

• Responsible for plant relocation and restructuring, focused on turnaround of logistic operations, inventory control, process improvements, production reporting, financial reporting and SAP training. Reported to CEO.
• Restructuring/Reorganization: completed $1.5 million on-budget plant and warehouse build-out and relocation within three months. Directly handled lessors and contractors for the construction and move of offices and.
• Worked with CEO on $2 million in pro forma personnel savings by aligning production with appropriate staffing levels, elimination of temporary labor and overtime.
• Developed production reporting tools focused on production efficiencies and OEE, control over rejects, scrap and material usage.
• Supply Chain and Inventory Management: realized $2 million reduction in inventory by realigning finished goods and WIP production to customer requirements through cleanup and training in MRP system.
• Reduced stocks of raw material and purchased components to JIT through new supplier agreements and enforcing discipline over purchase orders.

Charlotte, NC, US

• Selection and integration of cloud-based ERP system. Internal project leader and primary trainer for all modules (Finance, Distribution, Inventory).
• Setup warehouse and inventory processes and controls.
• Maintained the financial accounting, consolidation and reporting to the Board of Directors. Manage cash flow forecasts and long-term projections to ensure adequate working capital funding and for investor presentations.
• Led the year-end audit process.

Pfeffikon, Schweiz, CH

• Lead the finance and operational strategy for the US arm a leading Swiss manufacturer of premium cigars and tobacco products.
• Financial Reporting and Controlling: achieved operating cost savings of 11% from an operating budget of $600,000. Managed cash flow and working capital, reducing parent company funding requirement by 50%.
• Financial Planning & Analysis: implemented annual budgeting and interim forecasting models for approval by Board of Directors. Communicated targets and initiated bonus schemes and other milestones to motivate.
• Developed pricing models and implemented target margin controls with VP Sales, resulting in margin improvement of 15 percentage points.
• Logistics and Corporate Administration: transformed import logistics resulting in savings on import taxes of approximately $350,000 in first year.
• Inventory Management: achieved inventory targets, reducing stock from 12 months to four months. Qualitatively resulted in more predicable cash flow and improved lead times with factories and importers.

Geislingen, DE

• Lead finance and accounting operations of $20 million US subsidiary of a leading German housewares manufacturer. Partner with CEO to implement strategic objectives.
• Financial Reporting and Controlling: lead the month and year-end closing activities including consolidation of all divisional P+L’s,audit, and preparation of financial reporting package.
• Develop and monitor internal controls and standard operating procedures for each division, including redefining processes for shared services organization.
• Financial Planning & Analysis: prepare annual budget and coordinate all interim forecasting, and cash flow models, including sales projections and investment planning.
• Corporate Management and Administration: perform HR and legal functions, and oversee purchasing and IT.
• Managed rollup and integration of five brands, including merger of sales offices of Retail division and relocating headquarters. Led implementation of SAP R/3 to newly merged unit in three months.

Bad Driburg, -, DE

• Led finance and operations activities of US-sales/distribution branch of a top German glassware/consumer products firm, generating $5 million in revenue from start-up in 2003.
• Financial Management: including financial planning and forecast analysis; month and year-end closing, variance analyses, audit, and consolidated financial statement prep and presentation; cash management and treasury.
• Operations Management: developed supply chain and distribution channels; inventory management; managed opening of retail flagship, including site selection, lease negotiation, build-out, and floor/inventory management.
• Strategic Management: developed/executed brand strategy for US market; founded and organized US subsidiary; managed relationships with all stakeholders.

San Francisco, California, US

• Structuring and underwriting of senior debt and alternative financing for a broad base of companies in the retailing, media/telecommunications, consumer services, diversified manufacturing, and forest products.
• Executed syndicated and non-syndicated senior debt facilities, ranging from first time syndicated bank deals, leveraged buyout financing, recapitalizations, and distressed debt/restructuring.
• Developed critical analytical and credit skills, including complex financial modeling, creating pitches and deal books, drafting and reviewing legal documentation.
• Managed relationships with clients, internal stakeholders (credit officers and product specialists), as well as external partners (attornies, accountants and industry consultants).