Raymond (Ray) D. Francis
Stevensville
Summary
Senior executive with 25 years in manufacturing and distribution. Demonstrated expertise in leading sales teams, enhancing customer service, and optimizing inventory management with full P&L accountability. Achieved significant results through innovative problem-solving and effective communication strategies. Strong engineering background and mechanical aptitude contributed to successful client base development and CEO responsibilities for a mid-western manufacturer.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President – Director of Sales – General Manager
Bauer North America Inc.
Michigan City
01.2019 - Current
- Company Overview: Agricultural Irrigation Systems & Manure Separation Systems – for Green Bedding. Agriculture Pumps and Slurry Products.
- Overall Leadership and profit/loss with major focus on increasing sales in the US and Canadian markets
- Report directly to CEO in Austria
- Direct reports of six salespeople and twelve in operations
- Complete P&L responsibility for the Entire North America Operations
- Re-organized and restructured the entire sales force and dealer organization.
- Increase sales and margins and introduced Salesforce – CRM
- Agricultural Irrigation Systems & Manure Separation Systems – for Green Bedding. Agriculture Pumps and Slurry Products.
Vice President - General Manager
O Berk Kols Containers Inc.
Baltimore
01.2011 - 01.2019
- Company Overview: Rigid Packaging Distributor
- Overall leadership and profit/loss responsibility for private Baltimore-based distributor of rigid packaging
- Oversaw daily operational, financial, purchasing, sales and marketing development.
- Completed P & L responsibility.
- Reorganized and restructured the entire production and operational procedures.
- Increased sales with accelerating gross profits in less than 10 months.
- Modernized the purchasing department with state-of-the-art JIT system.
- Implemented Kan-Ban Inventory System.
- Spearheaded major project for manufacturing glass bottles in Asia under private label and molds.
- Rigid Packaging Distributor
President & CEO
Kifco/Ag-Rain, Inc.
Havana
01.1991 - 01.2007
- Company Overview: Privately held (Private Equity Group) Midwest-based manufacturer of commercial irrigation equipment and other specialized applications for agriculture.
- Overall leadership and profit/loss responsibility for privately held manufacturer of commercial irrigation equipment.
- Managed operational, financial, product development, and sales divisions.
- Restructured sales approach to elevate revenue growth from $10+ to $30+ million.
- Reorganized processes and procedures to lower fixed and variable costs, accelerate retirement of long-term debt, and boost profits.
- Spearheaded transition of inventory management and equipment manufacturing to FIFO model and JIT manufacturing processes thereby reducing inventory and operational expenses.
- Privately held (Private Equity Group) Midwest-based manufacturer of commercial irrigation equipment and other specialized applications for agriculture.
National Sales Manager
Kifco/Ag-Rain, Inc.
01.2000 - 01.2004
- Company Overview: Privately held (Private Equity Group) Midwest-based manufacturer of commercial irrigation equipment and other specialized applications for agriculture.
- Privately held (Private Equity Group) Midwest-based manufacturer of commercial irrigation equipment and other specialized applications for agriculture.
Regional Sales Manager – Eastern U.S./Puerto Rico
Kifco/Ag-Rain, Inc.
01.1991 - 01.2000
- Company Overview: Privately held (Private Equity Group) Midwest-based manufacturer of commercial irrigation equipment and other specialized applications for agriculture.
- Privately held (Private Equity Group) Midwest-based manufacturer of commercial irrigation equipment and other specialized applications for agriculture.
Education
UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE
Knoxville, TennesseeBusiness Administration - Sales/Marketing
POTOMAC STATE COLLEGE
Keyser, West VirginiaReferences
Available upon request
Affiliations
- Metal worker (Welding) and wood working hobbyist.
- Power boater
- Mechanical Tinkerer
Timeline
Vice President – Director of Sales – General Manager
Bauer North America Inc.
01.2019 - Current
Vice President - General Manager
O Berk Kols Containers Inc.
01.2011 - 01.2019
National Sales Manager
Kifco/Ag-Rain, Inc.
01.2000 - 01.2004
President & CEO
Kifco/Ag-Rain, Inc.
01.1991 - 01.2007
Regional Sales Manager – Eastern U.S./Puerto Rico
Kifco/Ag-Rain, Inc.
01.1991 - 01.2000
UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE
Business Administration - Sales/Marketing
POTOMAC STATE COLLEGE