Michael Kneller

Current

Financial Controller, GPB at Schering-Plough

Past

Finance Manager Shared Services at Schering-Plough (Essex Chemie AG)
Senior Corporate Auditor at Altria Corporate Services
Financial Analyst at Motorola GmbH

Cost Accountant at Skil Bosch Powertool Company

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Education

University of South Carolina-Columbia

Recommended

2 people have recommended Michael

Connections

64 connections

Industry

Pharmaceuticals

Michael Kneller’s Summary

Accomplished financial manager with strong record of successfully driving strategies, initiatives, and processes that generate substantial gains in financial performance and operational efficiencies. Expert in leveraging business planning, information technology, and financial expertise to reduce costs and improve productivity. Skilled in relationship building and negotiations with key internal and external decision makers. Demonstrated broad-based strengths and accomplishments in all areas of finance and accounting.

Michael Kneller’s Experience

Financial Controller, GPB

Schering-Plough

(Public Company; SGP; Pharmaceuticals industry)

May 2008 — Present (1 year 8 months)

• Full P&L responsibility for sales and marketing organization with sales of CHF 175m, including all planning, forecasting, and management reporting.
• Led the financial integration of Organon Biosciences, capturing synergy savings and improving operating contribution to net sales ratio by 12% points to become the most profitable market in the EUCAN region;
• Identified and led cost savings projects related to car fleet harmonization, field force restructuring, warehouse outsourcing, congress and event coordination, and others resulting in a 2009 cost base below that of 2008 and 2007, while sales grew 18% over the same period;
• Consulted general manager and business units on resource allocations and led organization to sales growth doubly exceeding market growth rate.
Finance Manager Shared Services

Schering-Plough (Essex Chemie AG)

(Public Company; SGP; Pharmaceuticals industry)

July 2005 — July 2008 (3 years 1 month)

• Led the shared services US GAAP and statutory accounting activities, including monthly, quarterly, and year-end closings of nine legal entities, including holding, trading, and mixed holding companies;
• Managed diverse group of seven finance professionals to support business activities in 50+ markets throughout Europe, the Middle East, and Africa;
• Managed inventory accounting and analysis of $950 million of inventory, including standard costing, variance analysis, inter-company profit analysis and elimination, and legal entity reporting.
Senior Corporate Auditor

Altria Corporate Services

(Consumer Goods industry)

February 2003 — July 2005 (2 years 6 months)

• Scheduled, planned, and led audits at various international affiliates, analyzing all business cycles and systems and added value by identifying and recommending improvements to internal control weaknesses;
• Assisted and supported affiliate Internal Audit management in enhancing Sarbanes-Oxley testing and subsequent action plans to achieve compliance and optimal control environment;
• Assisted business functions to develop, document, maintain, and monitor the continued effectiveness and applicability of Kraft Foods International and Philip Morris International policies and procedures in order to safeguard the company’s assets.
Financial Analyst

Motorola GmbH

(Telecommunications industry)

February 2001 — February 2003 (2 years 1 month)

• Created, implemented, and supported pricing model for Germany, Switzerland, and Austria;
• Initiated and implemented procedural changes between headquarters and local SBU, including implementation of Oracle-based off-invoice discounting module;
• Improved revenue recognition policies to bring Motorola GmbH into SAB101 compliance;
• Generated forecasts, based on market conditions and input from sales team;
• Prepared monthly management report to senior management.
Cost Accountant

Skil Bosch Powertool Company

(Consumer Electronics industry)

June 2000 — February 2001 (9 months)

• Analyzed product line profitability and coordinated resource allocation with parent company;
• Monitored inventory balances for manufacturing, warehouse and logistical needs;
• Coordinated with plant and logistics personnel to validate inventory accuracy to prevent bottlenecks and other inventory related operational issues.