Gary Cavanagh

Experience

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  National Grocers

  Jan 1994 - Jan 1998

  Director Corporate Reporting
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  HDS Retail North America

  Jan 1998 - Jan 2003

  Vice President Finance

  HDS had over 300 stores throughout North America with annual sales in excess of $225 million. The stores were primarliy located in travel related destinations such as airports, hotels and trains stations and office towers. Reporting directly to the CFO, duties and accomplishments included the following:- Responsible for all financial aspects, including monthly reporting, quarterly forecasts, yearly and long term budgets. - Change agent in re-engineering reporting processes and accounting systems. - Managed a team of 7 loss prevention staff throughout North America. Achieved a 20% reduction in shrink which resulted in a $1.5M savings over a two year period.- Led the successful integration of the New York City head office duties into the Toronto office resulting in an annual savings of $2M while improving the reporting, AR and AP efficiencies. Show less

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  The Nuance Group, North America

  Apr 2004 - Jan 2015

  Chief Operating Officer/CFO

  Nuance is a leading travel retailer, duty free operator with over 370 stores in 56 airports in 17 countries around the globe. Nuance North America operated in 8 airports and had annual sales in excess of $250 million. Role as COO/CFO included leading the teams in finance, operations, human resources, IT and replenishment. Worked closely with Business Development and Merchandising VP's.- Brought in as part of team to turn around company with 8 figure losses. Focus on improving and winning new contracts and reducing expenses. Results- increased annual sales by $90 million, had labour reductions of 15% as a percentage of sales, reduced inventory days on hand by 15% while increasing fill rates and eliminating out of stocks. - Overall EBIT as % of sales went to highest percentage of any division in company.- Developed and implemented full range of financial controls and reports, and established best practices to support all areas of the business.- Led financial modeling for all airport bids and directly involved in contract negotiations with landlords and vendors.- Led the development of operational excellence program - included store scorecards, associate manuals and labour scheduling/reporting procedures.- Led HR team in revamping employee performance appraisal document, and to modify training programs to fit overall goals and values of the company.- Collaborated in the sourcing and development of store IT systems and hardware (POS, ticket scanners) so they met operations needs while satisfying IT requirements and controls. Show less

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  Cavanagh Consulting Group - Also available for COO/CFO/Senior Management Positions.

  Feb 2015 - May 2017

  President/Owner

  See above.

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  Heinemann Americas, Inc.

  Jun 2017 - Feb 2019

  Chief Financial Officer/Business Development Consultant

  Gebr Heinemann is a leading distributor and retailer of duty free products in airports, cruise lines and border stores in over 100 countries. Heinemann Americas distributes duty free products within North and South America and it expanded into the retail sector of duty free. Role as CFO includes leading the teams in finance, IT and HR. Work closely with global business development team on all retail RFP's and opportunities. - Bring North American experience in retail duty free business as company expands into this sector.- Developed operational policies, procedures and reports for new retail business for duty free stores on cruise lines and in airports.- Responsible for quarterly estimates, yearly budgets and multi-year forecasts.- Lead HR and Operations contact during start up of new duty free retail locations on 3 cruise ships. Included the overseeing of hiring of new staff and management, coordination of training schedules, both internal and cruise line programs and overall rollout of operational items on time and on budget. Show less

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  Cavanagh Consulting Group - Also Available for COO/CFO/Senior Management Positions

  Mar 2019 - now

  President/Owner

  CCG provides and broad range of services to retailers, vendors and landlords. Services have included:- Business review at Billy Bishop Airport of current retail offering. Provided expert insight into improving the location and product assortment for duty free and for the addition of specialty retail locations. Information was base for RFP issued for the various retail locations.- Financial modeling and financial analysis for potential partnerships between airports, retailers and brands.- Review of current internal controls and processes which led to development and implementation of new internal controls and best practices.- Secured $3.3M property tax refund through tax appeal process.Past clients include: Hear Canada, Billy Bishop Airport, Hudson Group, 3Sixty Duty Free, Great Mountain Ginseng Show less

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  Goodwill Amity

  Apr 2024 - now

  Vice President, Mission-Integrated Social Enterprise

  - Brought in to upgrade retail operations by reviewing, upgrading and implementing best in practice retail policies and procedures.- Lead growth strategy to help secure real estate contracts for new retail stores and stand alone attended donation centres.- In charge of Recycling Department that oversees the sustainability aspect of company which results in over 4,000 tonnes of product being diverted from landfills on an annual basis.