Rafael Cardozo
West Chester
Summary
Operations Finance Leader with 20+ years of experience driving manufacturing, supply chain, and multi-site financial performance across North America and Latin America. Recognized for expertise in cost accounting, FP&A, inventory management, cost modeling, make-or-buy/payback analysis, and ERP implementations. Proven success partnering with operations and supply chain leadership to deliver sustainable improvements in P&L performance, plant productivity, and working capital optimization. Skilled at leading forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis for large-scale operations (20+ plants and multiple warehouses). Key achievements include: Designing and executing cost modeling, payback, ROI, and make-or-buy financial decisions that drove multimillion-dollar savings. Leading ERP implementations (SAP CO/FI, Oracle, NetSuite) across multiple countries and ensuring strong process controls. Supporting global financial transformations with emphasis on efficiency, compliance, and digital finance integration. Developing and mentoring teams across North America and Latin America, fostering cross-functional alignment and financial discipline. Fluent in English, Portuguese (native), and Spanish. U.S Permanent resident.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Finance Manager, FP&A - North America Operations
Solenis
Greater Philadelphia
05.2024 - Current
- Partner with the Regional Supply Chain Vice President to oversee financial performance across 20+ manufacturing plants and multiple distribution centers in North America, ensuring alignment with strategic operational goals.
- Lead budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and cost modeling, driving financial plans that support both operational execution and long-term business objectives.
- Conduct make-or-buy assessments, payback, ROI, and IRR analysis to guide capital investments, sourcing strategies, and operational projects.
- Drive cost-reduction initiatives in procurement, logistics, and production, delivering measurable improvements in EBIT, operating margins, and cost efficiency.
- Provide financial leadership in inventory management, product costing, and working capital optimization, ensuring accurate valuation and full P&L accountability.
- Deliver in-depth KPI dashboards, performance metrics, and variance analysis, equipping leadership with actionable insights to optimize plant and warehouse performance.
- Mentor and coach finance analysts, plant controllers, and operations leaders, fostering a finance-driven culture and strengthening organizational capability in FP&A and cost management.
- Present consolidated regional financial performance to executive and global leadership, influencing high-level strategic decisions and supporting global AOP and long-range targets.
Finance Manager, NAM Operations
Solenis
Wilmington
02.2023 - 05.2024
- Acted as regional lead for cost accounting, overseeing absorption rates, overhead allocation, and standard cost updates across North America.
- Managed monthly closing activities, including journal entries, reconciliations, and cost variance analysis, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
- Delivered comprehensive financial support to 20+ manufacturing plants and supply chain teams, serving as a key business partner to regional leadership.
- Enhanced forecasting accuracy by integrating operational drivers (yield, process time, variable vs. fixed mix) into financial models, improving predictability and decision support.
- Partnered with plant managers to validate production cost structures, identify cost-reduction opportunities, and implement efficiency initiatives.
- Co-managed inventory processes with supply chain teams, streamlining stock levels, improving working capital, and ensuring proper valuation controls.
- Served as SAP CO/FI key user, optimizing reporting workflows, supporting ERP automation projects, and ensuring data integrity across financial systems.
- Strengthened KPI variance analysis and reporting, providing senior management with actionable insights to drive performance improvements.
- Supported capital and operational projects with cost modeling, payback, ROI, and make-or-buy analysis, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
Supply Chain Controller - North America
Solenis
São Paulo
01.2022 - 02.2023
- Conducted strategic cost analyses for operations projects, focusing on optimizing fixed, variable, direct, and indirect costs to support North American manufacturing and supply chain objectives.
- Strengthened forecasting processes through close partnership with supply chain teams, improving the reliability of financial projections.
- Monitored budget adherence across multiple operational units, proactively identifying risks and implementing controls to mitigate potential cost overruns.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to refine cost allocation processes, ensuring compliance with global guidelines and enhancing financial transparency.
- Supported plant managers and operations leaders with detailed financial reporting, enabling informed strategic planning.
Supply Chain Controller LATAM
Solenis
Paulinia
02.2020 - 01.2022
- Provided end-to-end financial leadership to manufacturing plants and operations across Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Mexico, partnering with Regional Supply Chain Directors and Plant Managers to optimize financial and operational performance.
- Led SAP ECC 6.0 ERP implementation across five countries, training finance teams, enhancing system adoption, and ensuring data integrity in reporting and costing processes.
- Designed and implemented cost models, standard costing processes, and overhead allocation methodologies, improving transparency in product costing and enabling strategic decision-making.
- Conducted make-or-buy assessments, ROI, IRR, and payback analyses for capital investment projects, supporting expansion initiatives and cost-efficiency programs.
- Improved inventory valuation methodologies, reducing obsolete stock exposure, strengthening reserves accuracy, and enhancing working capital management.
- Directed the forecasting and budgeting process for Latin America units, integrating operational drivers (yield, process time, fixed/variable mix) into financial models to improve accuracy.
- Delivered comprehensive KPI variance analysis and performance reporting, providing actionable insights to leadership and driving alignment with corporate objectives.
- Collaborated with regional supply chain and sourcing teams to identify cost reduction opportunities, implement best practices, and support restructuring and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Fostered a finance-driven culture within operations by coaching factory staff, controllers, and country managers on cost control, budget construction, and financial discipline.
Costs Supervisor - South America
Solenis
Campinas e Região
11.2017 - 02.2020
- Oversaw cost control and financial operations for the Latin America region, managing a complex network of manufacturing plants and supply chain activities.
- Led the successful implementation of SAP 6.0 across Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Colombia, and Mexico, driving significant improvements in cost transparency and reporting efficiency.
- Spearheaded restructuring projects by developing detailed forecasts and reporting frameworks, supporting operational realignment efforts across sourcing units.
- Partnered with regional supply chain teams to lead sourcing studies, identify cost-reduction opportunities, and share best practices throughout the LATAM region.
- Cultivated a finance-oriented mindset among operations teams by working closely with factory staff and leadership on budget construction and cost management strategies.
Senior Cost Analyst
Solenis
Campinas e Região
07.2015 - 10.2017
- Analyzing and monitoring all cost accounting (inventory) routines such as journal entries and daily inventory positions.
- Developing and implementing cost analysis tools and sales price information.
- Interacting with the factory floor in plants located in Brazil and analyzing cost variations.
- Developing and monitoring assessment cycles and production rates.
- Coordinating cycle and annual inventory.
- Analyzing standard vs. actual costs to implement process cost appropriations.
- Possessing knowledge in SAP system modules CO, FI, and functioning as a key user in the implementation of SAP 6.0. (Brazil/Chile/Argentina/Mexico/Colombia)
Key Account executive
TS Tech do Brasil
Leme Area
11.2013 - 06.2015
- Prospected and onboarded new clients by analyzing their needs and presenting tailored financial and operational solutions.
- Negotiated contracts with key stakeholders, ensuring favorable terms that supported product profitability and long-term client relationships.
- Forecasted sales trends and identified decision-makers within target organizations, aligning offerings with client priorities to secure deals.
- Monitored commercial relationships post-sale, ensuring delivery on contracted promises and maintaining high client satisfaction.
- Collaborated with internal teams to refine sales strategies, contributing to an expanded customer base.
Senior Cost Analyst
TS Tech do Brasil
Leme Area
08.2009 - 11.2013
- Developed and refined cost planning processes for the company, contributing to accurate product cost composition and pricing strategies.
- Led cost-reduction projects by analyzing direct and indirect costs, and implementing changes that optimized production expenses.
- Prepared managerial reports and presentations, providing senior management with data-driven insights for strategic decisions.
- Conducted profit margin and contribution analyses, identifying opportunities to enhance financial performance.
- Supported budget development for production costs, ensuring alignment with operational goals and market conditions.
Cost and Budget Assistant
Mecânica Bonfanti S.A.
Leme Area
05.2003 - 07.2009
- Built and managed budgets for machines and parts, evaluating material costs and ensuring cost-effective procurement.
- Analyzed price trends and provided actionable insights to the sales department, supporting revenue growth initiatives.
- Created cost maps, reports, and spreadsheets that improved visibility into cash flow and operational expenses.
- Requested quotes and engaged in pre-negotiation with suppliers, securing favorable terms for materials and services.
- Conducted budgeted versus actual analyses, identifying variances and recommending adjustments to enhance financial performance.
Education
Master of Business Administration - MBA - International Business
University of Miami
12.2019
MBA of Project Management -
Fundação Getúlio Vargas - FGV
12.2019
MBA of Controlling and Finance -
Fundação Hermínio Ometto - Uniararas
12.2013
MBA of Business Management -
Universidade Paulista - UNIP
12.2012
Bacharel em Ciência da Computação - Graduation in Computer Science
Centro Universitário Anhanguera
12.2006
Skills
- Corporate Finance
- Cost modeling
- Variance analysis
- Budgeting and forecasting
- Financial analysis
- Inventory management
- Operational planning
- Performance metrics
- Financial Performance
- Financial Consolidation
- Revenue growth
- Internal controls
- Cost accounting
- GAAP
- Performance reviews
- P&L tracking
Websites
Certification
Launch Into Leadership
Accomplishments
- Designing and executing cost modeling, payback, ROI, and make-or-buy financial decisions that drove multimillion-dollar savings.
- Leading ERP implementations (SAP CO/FI, Oracle, NetSuite) across multiple countries and ensuring strong process controls.
- Supporting global financial transformations with emphasis on efficiency, compliance, and digital finance integration.
- Developing and mentoring teams across North America and Latin America, fostering cross-functional alignment and financial discipline.
Languages
- Portuguese, Native
- English, Full Professional
- Spanish, Professional Working
Personal Information
Title: Senior Finance Manager
Residency
U.S Permanent resident
Languages
Portuguese
First Language
English
Proficient (C2)
C2
Spanish
Upper Intermediate (B2)
B2
Timeline
Senior Finance Manager, FP&A - North America Operations
Solenis
05.2024 - Current
Finance Manager, NAM Operations
Solenis
02.2023 - 05.2024
Supply Chain Controller - North America
Solenis
01.2022 - 02.2023
Supply Chain Controller LATAM
Solenis
02.2020 - 01.2022
Costs Supervisor - South America
Solenis
11.2017 - 02.2020
Senior Cost Analyst
Solenis
07.2015 - 10.2017
Key Account executive
TS Tech do Brasil
11.2013 - 06.2015
Senior Cost Analyst
TS Tech do Brasil
08.2009 - 11.2013
Cost and Budget Assistant
Mecânica Bonfanti S.A.
05.2003 - 07.2009
Master of Business Administration - MBA - International Business
University of Miami
MBA of Project Management -
Fundação Getúlio Vargas - FGV
MBA of Controlling and Finance -
Fundação Hermínio Ometto - Uniararas
MBA of Business Management -
Universidade Paulista - UNIP
Bacharel em Ciência da Computação - Graduation in Computer Science
Centro Universitário Anhanguera
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