Gary Katz

Finance Director at Giant Steps Australia
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Contact Information
us****@****om
(386) 825-5501
Location
Greater Sydney Area, AU

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Bernd Richert

Gary has proven experience as Director of Finance at BRITA Australia. Gary has provided financial data and analysis at any time in the required level of detail, accuracy and given time frame to the headquarter based in Germany. Personally I enjoyed working with Gary not only because of his financial skills but also because of his very good character.

LinkedIn User

I have known Gary as extremely reliable Business Partner and Manager working on various Topics in the logistics and supply chain area. He is experienced and covers a wide range of skills required to run and operate a Business.

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Credentials

  • Chartered Accountant
    Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand
    Apr, 2004
    - Nov, 2024

Experience

  • Giant Steps Australia
    • Australia
    • Education
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Finance Director
      • Sep 2019 - Present

      Giant Steps is a leading educational centre with a multifaceted approach to the provision of services to children with autism and their families, whilst spreading a culture of caring and professional excellence through the broader community. Giant Steps is a leading educational centre with a multifaceted approach to the provision of services to children with autism and their families, whilst spreading a culture of caring and professional excellence through the broader community.

  • M&J Chickens
    • Australia
    • Food and Beverage Manufacturing
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Head Of Finance (Contract)
      • May 2019 - Aug 2019

      Production and distribution of fresh poultry and cooked “ready to eat” value added products to clubs, cafes, restaurants, hotels, resorts, government agencies, corporate catering services and more. Production and distribution of fresh poultry and cooked “ready to eat” value added products to clubs, cafes, restaurants, hotels, resorts, government agencies, corporate catering services and more.

  • NSW Leather Co. Pty Ltd
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • CFO (Head of Finance & Operations)
      • Nov 2016 - Dec 2018

      Import and wholesale / retail distribution of leather hides, skins and related products Primary point of contact for numerous activities within the business, dealings with Supply Chain, Logistics, Finance, Banking, IT, Admin, Accounting, Taxation, Audit, Compliance, Insurance and maintenance. Working together with the joint MD’s to maintain, develop and restructure key areas of the business, controlling and reducing fixed costs in personnel, logistics, warehousing and other operational areas. Key Achievements •Evaluation of total business operations resulting in operational and staff changes. •Improved usage of ERP system by providing training to relevant staff as well as adding EFT module to streamline payments process •Improved Business reporting process as well as automation of daily activity reports for sales and management •Negotiating restructure of financing facilities with Westpac (Saving $150k p.a) •Together with IT consultants upgraded version of SQL database and ERP system and implementation of a CRM system (new for business) Major Responsibilities •Finance, HR, IT, Warehouse, Supply-Chain, Reporting, Strategic Planning, Budgeting, Forecasting, Financial Analysis, Inventory and Cash Flow Management •Liaison / Negotiations (Logistics Providers, Bankers, Insurers, Auditors, etc.) •Driving strategic policy and KPI’s for business and staff across all departments (Finance, Sales, Operations, Procurement) •Setting, implementing and managing company policies, procedures and controls •Analyse inventory position and sales rates to optimise reorder levels with up to 16-week lead times •Manage HR function - new hires, disciplinary process and terminations •Liaison with legal as required •Ongoing reviews of business operations, processes, suppliers and other cost drivers to reduce expenses and improve efficiencies •“Sounding board” for joint MD’s on numerous issues to ensure strategic actions taken are properly analysed before being actioned Show less

  • BRITA Group
    • Germany
    • Manufacturing
    • 700 & Above Employee
    • Finance and Operations Director (CFO)
      • Dec 2007 - Aug 2016

      Import and wholesale distribution of Water Filtration and related Products. Primary point of contact for numerous activities within the business, dealings with Group Supply Chain, Logistics, Finance, Banking, IT, Admin, Accounting, Taxation, Audit, Compliance, Insurance and Landlords Working together with MD and Senior Management Team to maintain, develop and restructure key areas of the business, thereby controlling and reducing fixed costs in personnel, logistics, warehousing and other areas Key Achievements • Part of the SLT responsible for growing business from $15Mil in 2007 to $30Mil by 2016 • Relocation of office and warehouse, implementation of new WMS with ERP integration • Rationalised logistics, savings of $180k p.a. locally and additional savings Group wide • Customs "claw-back" of $200k • Due diligence, acquisition and set-up of new Dispenser Agency (Sales, Rental, Service) • Major improvements to inventory planning process – improved DIH • Workflow automation, including monthly uploads (into Group System), significantly reducing processing times Major Responsibilities: • Monthly Management (local) and Group (GmbH) reporting • Strategic SMT input and development of business plans, budgets & forecasts • Company Board Director and Secretary • Representation at bi-annual strategic planning meetings in Europe • Managing Overall Supply Chain function, investment in inventories and stock turn • Maintaining Service levels with 3rd Parties • Managing the operational performance of off-site warehouse • Negotiating rates and service level agreements with freight forwarders • Negotiations with landlords (office and warehouse leases) • Financial Accounting • Budgeting, Reporting and Controlling • Annual and Interim Audit • Process Improvement and cost control • HR Management • IT Management (Including Managing 3rd Party Systems and ERP support) • Personnel and Payroll Management • Financial & Liquidity Planning • Receivables Management Show less

  • Dolina Fashion Group
    • Roseberry, Sydney, NSW
    • CFO (Head of Finance)
      • Nov 2005 - Nov 2007

      Local design (offshore manufacture) & wholesale / retail distribution of ladies' fashion clothing. Key Achievements • Introduced effective reporting of Group Financial results and budgeting. • Introduced departmental financial review process with KPI accountability. • Effective management of Company cash resources especially during periods of “cash crunch”. • Improved the Company’s return in Foreign Exchange dealings. • Improved operational efficiency through effective reporting and data analysis. Major Responsibilities: • Finance, Payables, Receivables, HR, IT, Property, Storage Facility (Total 7 Direct reports) • Managed Planning, Budgeting, Forecasting and Financial Analysis, Inventory, Cash Flows and FX, Annual Audit, Operational efficiencies and Cost Reductions. • Worked closely with General Manager to manage risk and develop processes to improve efficiency and reduce cost structure. • Setting, implementing and managing company policies, procedures and controls. • Preparation of Monthly Accounts including Profit & Loss, Cash Flows and Group Board reports. • Preparation of annual budgets and monthly forecasts. • Managed inventory levels, production and order volumes with designers. • Preparation and liaison with external auditors for year end and other requirements. • Provide advice and assistance to associated company financial controllers (2) • Liaison and negotiation with third party service providers (Bankers, Insurers, Agents, etc.) • Extensive use of Microsoft Excel for financial / operational analysis. Show less

  • JCA NSW/ACT
    • Australia
    • Non-profit Organizations
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Financial Controller
      • May 2004 - Oct 2005

      Not for Profit Organisation - Fundraising on behalf of 23 Member organisations. Key Achievements: • Streamlined several processes to improve efficiency in reporting & accounting and implementation of policies and procedures. Major Responsibilities: • Managed the financial function of the NFP. • Critical analysis of member organisation financial positions to determine funding needs • Assisted allocations committee to make informed funding allocation decisions. • Worked closely with CEO and Lay Board leadership to further the interests of the organisation for growth and communal engagement. Show less

  • Metcash
    • Australia
    • Wholesale
    • 700 & Above Employee
    • Finance Executive (CFO)
      • Jan 1997 - Dec 2003

      Chain of Retail Stores - dealing in Kitchen Appliances, TV, Audio, Computers, Mobiles & Sundry Consumables.Key Achievements:• Streamlined operations (closed 3 marginal stores and opened 2 new stores), resulting in turnaround from a loss of $1.6mil (-4.2%) to a profit of $2.2mil (4.4%).• New systems implementation• Practically eliminated shrinkage through incentive scheme

    • Group Accountant
      • Jan 1995 - Dec 1997

      Group Accountant - Head Office.Member of the Metro Medical Aid Review & Allocations Committee (1992–2003)Trainer (Metro Training Centre) on “Finance for non-financial managers” (1995–1998)

    • Finance Executive (CFO)
      • Oct 1992 - Dec 1994

      Started as Project Accountant, progressing to Divisional Finance Executive before moving into Head Office role.

Education

  • University of Southern Queensland
    Conversion to Chartered Accountant Australia, Taxation, Company Law
    2004 - 2004
  • University of South Africa/Universiteit van Suid-Afrika
    B-Compt Honours & Chartered Accountant S.A.
    1991 - 1992
  • University of the Witwatersrand
    B-Comm
    1985 - 1989
  • King David Linksfield
    HSC Equivalent
    1976 - 1982

Community

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