Ben Buben

Chief Operating Officer

Strategic executive with a proven track record of orchestrating operational turnarounds and driving significant revenue growth across diverse industries. Expertise in operational transformation, technology implementation, strategic negotiation, and business expansion. Proven ability to manage multimillion-dollar budgets, lead cross-functional teams and optimize processes for efficiency and profitability. With strong foundations in strategic planning and operational excellence, poised to deliver transformative leadership focused on improved results impacting shareholder value.

A collaborative, highly inspirational, and creative executive who has shown value by:

Orchestrated operational turnaround, achieving $6M annual labor savings, adding $60M in shareholder value.
Negotiated national agreement, saving $2M annually, increasing shareholder value by $20M.
Collaborated with all departments to increase sales revenue from $225M to $350M in one year.
Collaborated with all departments to Increase EBITDA from $34M to 76M in one year.
Lead successful $10M buildout of strategic port location and delivered under budget during Covid years.
Successful contract negotiations leading to multi-million dollar revenue with 20%+ EBITDA

Currently located in Fernandina Beach, FL.

Open to on-site, travel, hybrid, and remote.

734-323-2536

bbuben@gmail.com

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EXPERIENCE

Jan 2020 – Nov 2023

Chief Operating Officer

Transformed operations across 12 locations, managing 1200 employees and $350M budget. Oversaw technology implementation, M&A, and strategically redefined operations showcasing executive leadership, achieving $6M annual labor savings and $100M in shareholder value.

Jan 2017 – January 2020

Vice President

Steered operations and strategic initiatives, managing 225 employees and $150M budget. Drove M&A strategies, securing major contracts, and implementing CRM systems highlighting improved strategies leading to recognizable growth.

Oct 2010 - Jan 2017

Executive Director Operations and Business Development

Led operations and business development across regions, managing 135 employees and $120M budget. Fostered OEM relationships, resulting in successful acquisitions and growth opportunities. Established cross-functional team, leading to faster customer response time and enhanced problem-solving.

Oct 2009 - Jan 2010

Operations Manager

Revitalized Brunswick, GA operation, turning $500K annual loss into $500K profit through KPIs, labor planning, and waste reduction. Managed 45 employees and $24M budget.

Sep 2005 – Sep 2009

Fixed Operations Director

Redesigned underperforming operations, managing 70 employees and $10M budget. Enhanced service drive efficiency, optimized inventory, restored body shop revenue, and implemented bonus structure to increase productivity.

Experience

Results

RESULTS

Negotiated national agreement, saving $2M annually, increasing shareholder value by $20M.

Collaborated with all departments to increase sales revenue from $225M to $350M in one year.

Collaborated with all departments to Increase EBITDA from $34M to 76M in one year.

Expertise

EXPERTISE

Global Expansions
Operations Management
Global Logistics
Revenue Growth
Continuous Improvement
Lean Practices
Leadership Development
Change Management
Financial Oversight
M&A Strategy
Supply Chain Optimization
P&L Management
Operational Excellence

Talent Development
Agile Methodologies
Data-Driven Decision Making
Contract Negotiations
Customer Relationships
High Performance Teams
Process Automation
Multi-Site Leadership
Stakeholder Engagement
Cost Reduction Strategies
Performance Metrics
Industry Expertise
Fortune 500 Company Relationships

MEET BEN

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About

Education

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
Business Administration

TESTIMONIALS 1

TESTIMONIALS

Rob Madden, Sr. Manager, Fleet & Vehicle Logistics, Mitsubishi Motors

When working with Ben, I always found him to be trustworthy, hardworking, and knowledgeable. Ben has shown excellent leadership skills which was imperative to Mitsubishi improving our operational capabilities.

Rich Frick, Regional VP Hino Trucks

Ben's confidence in his ability to get ANY job done is backed up by his actions that prove he has excellent talent and drive. It was a pleasure to find Ben and recruit him to Pasha Automotive Services personally. In a very short time, he made the operations shine and satisfied the client. Shortly after that, he took on greater responsibilities and successfully raised the bar again. Ben is a great manager and leader. He is decisive and capable. He is an asset to any team! I would welcome the opportunity to work with Ben again.

John Kriesler, SR. VP The Pasha Group

I have worked with and competed against Ben in the finished vehicle marketplace for 20 years. He possesses the skills and work ethic needed to succeed at the highest level in any organization. His vitality and passion for the industry are renowned by customers and vendors alike. Ben has always been an asset to our industry and any company he represents.

Q&A

Q & A

When a challenging situation arises at work, what steps do you take to work through it?

When facing work challenges, I assess the situation thoroughly, take ownership, and communicate openly. I strategize with a clear plan, adapt as needed, and continuously evaluate progress for improvement. This approach ensures effective problem-solving and successful outcomes.

How does competition influence your work?

Competition drives me to excel and innovate. In a project bid, fierce competition pushed our team to conduct thorough research, highlight strengths, foster collaboration, iterate for improvement, and emphasize value. This strategic approach secured us the contract, highlighting the value of competition in fostering innovation and success.

What steps you've taken to make yourself more effective in your field?

I enhance my effectiveness by prioritizing continuous learning, networking, setting clear goals, efficient time management, seeking feedback, embracing challenges, and reflecting on experiences. These strategic steps have led to significant success and satisfaction in my field.

Was there a time when you had to communicate a strongly felt belief or opinion to your team?

Tensions arose due to differing opinions during a crucial project deadline. As the project manager, I conveyed the importance of collaboration and open communication to my team. I emphasized mutual respect for ideas in a meeting and encouraged active participation. I effectively communicated my beliefs by fostering trust and inclusivity, leading to improved collaboration and cohesion.

What is the toughest group that you have had to get cooperation from?

The toughest group I had to gain cooperation from was a team undergoing significant restructuring. I initiated open communication, actively listened to concerns, built trust, and encouraged collaborative problem-solving. Providing support and involving the team in decision-making improved cooperation and morale. Ultimately, we successfully navigated the changes, emerging more robust and cohesive as a team.