Experience

Silver Crystal Group

• Canada
• Manufacturing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• CFO

  • Feb 2021 - Present

  • Silver Crystal Technology - offering innovative retail software displays, interactive kiosks, and mobile applications to provide an engaging way to display endless products and customization options • Silver Crystal Health - manufacturing high-quality medical gowns, protective face shields, and single-use face masks for personal health safety. • Silver Crystal 3PL - housing over 84,000 square feet of warehouse space across three facilities in Toronto offering high efficiency automated storage and distribution logistics capabilities with one of Canada's largest VLM Systems for small "pick to light" parts. • Your Logo Here - offering consumers the ability to customize t-shirts and garments with an advanced online design studio Show less



Silver Crystal Sports

• Canada
• Sporting Goods Manufacturing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• CFO

  • Feb 2021 - Present

  Silver Crystal Sports is a unique business combining traditional North American manufacturing of sports lettering and numbering with customer facing retail entertainment through the use of on -site micro factory, touch screen technology and cool point of sale displays in the Jersey Roller Coaster. Present in over 400 locations in stadium and retailers across North America, Australia and UAE. Silver Crystal Sports reaches far and wide and strives to be the Global Leader in the Customization Space. • Fanzones - the go-to jersey customization solution for global sports retailers, with 500+ locations, including MLB, NFL, NHL, NBA, NCAA, and MLS stadiums. • Silver Crystal Sports - specializing in the manufacturing of professional sports lettering & numbering and digital retail ordering systems with inventory management tools for on-demand product customization applications with brand partnerships including Adidas, Nike, Fanatics, and more. • Jersey Factory - specializing in the customization of high-quality sports jerseys, apparel, and corporate swag. • Brand Validate - changing the way consumers shop online for authentic products from respected brands by providing unique transactional codes that guarantee authenticity. Show less



Alia / Tan Jay / Jayset Fashion Outlets / SLIMs - NIP

• Toronto-Based & Winnipeg

• CFO

  • Mar 2020 - Nov 2020

  Once a $1B vertically-integrated manufacturer, wholesaler & retailer of women's fashion apparel in Canada and US with 170 Stores, now in liquidation of operations. Re-hired by the Receiver, Richters Consulting Inc. to develop and execute liquidation strategies. COMP Sales +140% to Last year. Managed relationships with Banks, stakeholders and employees through significant change, reporting directly to the receiver and White Oak (Private Equity) Capital. Strategically worked through liquidation scenarios, negotiated solutions, providing leadership and employment to as many people as possible during liquidation and through COVID-19. Show less



Alia N Tan Jay / Jay Set Fashion Outlets / SLIMs - NIP

• Toronto & Winnipeg

• VP Finance - Shared Services, Wholesale & Retail Operations

  • Sep 2019 - Mar 2020

  Assumed CFO-level activities with the addition of corporate services division. Completed a $52M Debt refinancing in 45 days. Streamlined the corporate consolidation and reporting processes, resulting in a 4-day month-end close with Board financials presented on work day 7. Improved budgeting and forecast methodology, achieving 95% of corporate forecast as a result of these changes, and putting the company in compliance with financial loan covenants. Forecasting timliness and accuracy had not been achieved by the Company for at least 3 years. Show less



Alia N Tan Jay / Jay Set / SLIMs - NIP

• Sr. Director Finance - Retail, eCommerce, Wholesale Fashion

  • Jan 2019 - Sep 2019

  Ownership of business results, improvements to budgeting processes, dramatically reducing timelines and increasing forecasting accuracy. Took on new NSD entrepreneurial business, redeveloping new budget and forecasting models that were accurate within 89% as a result of working closely with key managers for that business.

• Director of Finance, Retail

  • Jul 2014 - Dec 2018

  Financial reporting and budgeting to Board and Stakeholders. Accomplishments include leading the 50 store real estate expansion; driving e-commerce growth; key participant in the cost reduction project; and ensuring marketing initiatives are providing tangible ROI. Deeply embedded in store operations, HR, store construction, real estate negotiation and supply chain.



Blazing Ember Inc - CFO Services to Ignite Company Performance

• Toronto to Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

• Owner and Senior Consultant

  • Nov 2011 - Jul 2014

  Engagements included raising funds and providing fractional CFO services. Main engagement was as CFO of VITASOUND & Pharmacy Hearing Centres, a medical and hearing-technology company distributing its product to its own Canadian and US retail locations generating $25M in sales. Raised funds through offering memorandums. Reported directly to the President and Chairman, presented to stakeholders. Oct/12-June/14 Other fractional CFO engagements included a Corporate Dental Group Launching an orthodontic product in the Canadian market; an internet search tool based in Switzerland; various social media products (funded via Canadian Media Fund); Business Intelligence & CRM product launch in Canada; Retail startups; and a consulting role of preparing MD&A and U.S. EDGAR filings for a Pharmaceutical M&A. Show less



West 49

• Canada
• Retail
• 100 - 200 Employee

• V.P. Finance

  • Jun 2008 - Oct 2011

  A retail chain of 140 stores across Canada with $200M in revenue. A Canadian Public Company until September, 2010, when it was acquired by Billabong International and de-listed. A year later head office support functions were relocated to California. After acquisition by Billabong, was promoted from Director of Finance to the VP role (previously the Canadian CFO position), leading the company through dramatic change and new new strategic initiatives. 22 direct reports. Core accountability included financial accounting and improving internal controls. During the 3+ years, we succeeded in substantially changing the sales mix, increasing product margins, resulting in significant profitability improvements and stock value increases. Other accomplishments included: relaunching E-retail/Social Media relaunch; improving supply chain efficiency and effectiveness; real estate portfolio re-balancing; and system upgrades/ERP implementation across 7 different banners. Show less



Hudson's Bay Company

• United States
• Retail
• 700 & Above Employee

• Finance Director

  • Apr 2005 - Jun 2008

  Staff of 45 across Credit Card, Loyalty, Gift Card, Logistics and E-Retail. Key executive in negotiation, sale and transition of the Credit Card Business to GE Money Canada. Also deeply involved in the due dilligence and sale of HBC to U.S. investors. Leveraged loyalty, credit and gift card programs to improve retail margins and reduce marketing costs. Improved supply chain effectiveness, reducing stock outs and improving time to stores. Staff of 45 across Credit Card, Loyalty, Gift Card, Logistics and E-Retail. Key executive in negotiation, sale and transition of the Credit Card Business to GE Money Canada. Also deeply involved in the due dilligence and sale of HBC to U.S. investors. Leveraged loyalty, credit and gift card programs to improve retail margins and reduce marketing costs. Improved supply chain effectiveness, reducing stock outs and improving time to stores.



Scotiabank

• Canada
• Banking
• 700 & Above Employee

• Senior Manager - Electronic Banking and Alternate Delivery Channels

  • May 2003 - Apr 2005

  The Assistant Controller role with a $220M budget. Launched new e-commerce global banking products and pricing. Completed the divestiture/transition of the merchant-acquirer business to Paymentech with additional settlement revenues negotiated in the final year.

• Senior Manager - Corporate Reporting, Accounting Policies and Procedures

  • May 1998 - May 2003

  Rapidly promoted, ultimately reporting to the Chief Accountant.Responsible for preparation and public release of financials, MD&A, etc. under Canadian, U.S standards. Drafted CFO speeches, shareholder/Audit Committee analysis.Numerous merger and acquision activities, including a due dilligence in Chile for $110M.Coordinated the new U.S. stock market listing, leading to cheaper U.S. equity and UK debt instrument issuances.



Sears Canada

• Canada
• Retail
• 700 & Above Employee

• Manager of External Reporting

  • Aug 1995 - May 1998

  Planning, forecasting accounting and reporting: Credit card securitizations, logistics operations, and accounted for 65 Real Estate joint ventures. Key member of SAP/Peoplesoft ERP implementation. Planning, forecasting accounting and reporting: Credit card securitizations, logistics operations, and accounted for 65 Real Estate joint ventures. Key member of SAP/Peoplesoft ERP implementation.



Hayes Smith & Associates

• North York, ON

• Investigative Forensic Accountant

  • Nov 1994 - Aug 1995



Coffee Time Donuts Inc

• Vice President of Finance and Administration

  • Mar 1993 - Nov 1994

  Took the $25M Company public through an IPO process. Negotiated tax concessions, improved working capital and provided a long term business plan that was adopted instead of the IPO when markets receded. Took the $25M Company public through an IPO process. Negotiated tax concessions, improved working capital and provided a long term business plan that was adopted instead of the IPO when markets receded.



PwC

• Professional Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Staff Accountant

  • May 1990 - Mar 1993

  Entrepreneurial Services & Consulting Group - M&A, Taxation and other special engagements. Included large audit clients in medical, pharmacy, and technology. Entrepreneurial Services & Consulting Group - M&A, Taxation and other special engagements. Included large audit clients in medical, pharmacy, and technology.