MELISSA J. HUDSON
Warminster,PA
Summary
Forward-thinking finance executive with 15+ years of experience driving strategic financial initiatives, enabling operational transformation, and advising C-level leaders in high-growth environments. Proven track record of owning end-to-end financial planning, forecasting, and scenario modeling for multi-entity, complex organizations. Expert in translating strategy into financial impact, guiding capital allocation, and optimizing resource use to fuel business growth. Adept at building modern FP&A functions, integrating emerging technologies, and leading with data to influence critical decision-making.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Finance Director, Business Technology
Bimbo Bakeries USA
01.2013 - 01.2025
- Appointed by the Chief Information Officer to drive visibility and financial oversight for Business Technology operations, overseeing the implementation of processes that improved financial governance.
- Partnered directly with the CIO and executive team to architect an FP&A framework for $300MM in business technology spend.
- Built rolling forecasts and financial models, enabling dynamic resource reallocation and visibility into cash flow cycles.
- Established financial reporting frameworks that enhanced accountability and empowered Business Technology leadership with data-driven insights, enabling more strategic decision-making across the organization.
Finance Director, Value Chain Transformation
Bimbo Bakeries USA
07.2021 - 03.2024
- Spearheaded transformational projects in the supply chain, including the implementation of fully automated distribution centers and innovative product delivery systems, driving significant operational efficiency and profitability improvements.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to structure investment cases for high-impact supply chain initiatives, including full automation and new go-to-market models.
- Created driver-based models and scenario analyses to evaluate ROI, payback periods, and strategic trade-offs.
- Delivered consistent alignment between project outcomes and long-term value creation targets.
Finance Director, Commercial
Bimbo Bakeries USA
09.2019 - 07.2021
- Acted as the financial business partner for General Managers across key product categories - Bread, Sweet Baked Goods, and Breakfast - providing strategic financial guidance for over 25 brands and thousands of SKUs.
- Served as the finance co-pilot to GMs across major product categories, owning financial strategy for 25+ brands and 1,400+ marketing initiatives.
- Developed agile, metrics-driven budget processes, aligning P&L ownership across marketing, operations, and innovation teams.
- Guided capital investment decisions with sophisticated forecasting models, directly influencing EBITDA outcomes.
Senior Finance Manager, Commercial
Bimbo Bakeries USA
08.2018 - 09.2019
Finance Manager, Corporate Overheads
Bimbo Bakeries USA
03.2015 - 08.2018
- Managed a $500MM budget for all headquarter functions, such as Finance, HR, IT, Legal, and Shared Service Centers, and oversaw $2B in people costs, driving strategic financial planning and operational efficiency across corporate functions.
- Key contributor to the organization’s cultural transformation through the successful implementation of Zero-Based Budgeting (ZBB), delivering $180MM in annual savings and establishing sustainable processes for ongoing cost control.
- Played a pivotal role in the Voluntary Separation Program (VSP), building financial models, communicating with stakeholders, tracking participation rates, and leading succession planning efforts across functions.
- Facilitated quarterly reviews with C-level executives, presenting in-depth financial analyses, identifying key issues, and recommending actionable solutions to optimize financial outcomes.
Finance Specialist, Corporate Overheads
Bimbo Bakeries USA
12.2014 - 03.2015
Sr. Financial Analyst, Corporate Overheads
Bimbo Bakeries USA
11.2013 - 12.2014
Financial Analyst, Sales
Penn Mutual Life Insurance
01.2011 - 01.2013
Senior Financial Analyst, IT Services
Chubb Limited (Formerly Ace USA)
01.2008 - 01.2011
Education
Master Of Business Administration -
Devry University, Keller Graduate School of Management
Bachelor of Business Administration - undefined
Temple University, Fox School of Business
Skills
- Financial Planning & Analysis
- Strategic Forecasting & Modeling
- Budgeting & Operating Plans
- Investment Prioritization
- Executive Decision Support
- Business Case Development
- Cash Flow Analysis
- Excel Power User
- Scenario Modeling
- Cost Optimization
- Board-Level Communication
- KPI Development & Reporting
- Team Leadership
- Account analysis
- Process improvement
- Strategic financial planning
- Profitability analysis
- ROI delivery
- Cross-functional team leadership
Timeline
Finance Director, Value Chain Transformation
Bimbo Bakeries USA
07.2021 - 03.2024
Finance Director, Commercial
Bimbo Bakeries USA
09.2019 - 07.2021
Senior Finance Manager, Commercial
Bimbo Bakeries USA
08.2018 - 09.2019
Finance Manager, Corporate Overheads
Bimbo Bakeries USA
03.2015 - 08.2018
Finance Specialist, Corporate Overheads
Bimbo Bakeries USA
12.2014 - 03.2015
Sr. Financial Analyst, Corporate Overheads
Bimbo Bakeries USA
11.2013 - 12.2014
Finance Director, Business Technology
Bimbo Bakeries USA
01.2013 - 01.2025
Financial Analyst, Sales
Penn Mutual Life Insurance
01.2011 - 01.2013
Senior Financial Analyst, IT Services
Chubb Limited (Formerly Ace USA)
01.2008 - 01.2011
Bachelor of Business Administration - undefined
Temple University, Fox School of Business
Master Of Business Administration -
Devry University, Keller Graduate School of Management
Similar Profiles
Nkechi O. RouseNkechi O. Rouse
District Sales Manager at Bimbo Bakeries USADistrict Sales Manager at Bimbo Bakeries USA
Preston WallerPreston Waller
Warehouse Operator at Bimbo Bakeries USAWarehouse Operator at Bimbo Bakeries USA
Jeremy M KlineJeremy M Kline
Sr. Director of Operations at Bimbo Bakeries USASr. Director of Operations at Bimbo Bakeries USA
Jorge RamirezJorge Ramirez
Loader at Bimbo Bakeries USALoader at Bimbo Bakeries USA
MICHAEL CAIMIMICHAEL CAIMI
Team Member at Pizza HutTeam Member at Pizza Hut