Looking for a job

Ken Vandervelden

@kenvandervelden

Chief Operating Officer at E.F. WALTER GROUP, expanding Walter's Shoe Care into 90+ countries and growing revenue 25%.

At E.F. WALTER GROUP / WALTER'S SHOE CARE, I lead global expansion and operating performance. I established distribution partnerships across Latin America and APAC, and helped grow revenue 25% through complementary product lines.

Previously at E.F. WALTER GROUP, I held full P&L and balance sheet accountability for three business units, with $20M+ in annual revenue and 100+ employees. I also led acquisitions and divestitures, launched China factory operations, and introduced Microsoft Dynamics and live Power BI reporting.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Chief Operating Officer

Current

E.F. Walter Group / Walter's Shoe Care

Jan 2023 - Present (3 years 10 months)

Recruited back to lead global expansion, profitable growth and operating performance, with executive oversight of international business development, customer partnerships, product development, sourcing, supply chain, banking and finance.

International Business Development Strategic Partnerships Product Development Sourcing Supply Chain Banking Finance Restructuring Cost Reduction Revenue Growth

Managing Partner / Owner & General Manager

Kenali Group Inc.

Jan 2021 - Dec 2023 (2 years 11 months)

Led an entrepreneurial importer, distributor and installer of specialty composite products. Grew start-up revenue from $0 to more than $500K and sold the business at a 4x EBITDA multiple.

entrepreneurship Business Growth Distribution Sourcing Negotiation

Exit Strategy

VP of Operations / General Manager

E.F. Walter Group

Jan 2011 - Dec 2021 (10 years 11 months)

Principal operating executive to the CEO with full P&L and balance sheet accountability for three business units totaling $20M+ in annual revenue and 100+ employees. Directed manufacturing, finance, sales, supply chain, marketing and product development.

P&L management Manufacturing Finance Sales Supply Chain Marketing Product Development Global Sourcing M&A Restructuring Digital Transformation Microsoft Dynamics Power BI KPIs Lean Kaizen

Director of Operations

E.F. Walter Group

Jan 2008 - Dec 2011 (3 years 11 months)

Led manufacturing, quality, supply chain, customer service and logistics for shoe care and industrial foam divisions. Secured more than $3.5M through manufacturing grant programs and reduced labour requirements by 14%.

Manufacturing Quality Supply Chain Customer Service Logistics

Grant Funding

SR&ED

Smart

EMA KPIs Change Leadership

Equity Partner / Director / Board Member

Core Chair Inc.

Jan 2006 - Dec 2010 (4 years 11 months)

Equity partner, director and board member of an entrepreneurial venture developing and licensing a patented articulating office chair. Designed the initial articulating chair mechanism and led early proof-of-concept work.

Product Innovation Prototyping Corporate Development Budgeting Investor Relations Licensing

Plant Manager / Production Manager

Attica Manufacturing

Jan 1996 - Dec 2008 (12 years 11 months)

Progressed through production management and plant leadership roles at a manufacturer of CNC components and complex assemblies. Oversaw production, scheduling, quality control, and human resources.

Production Management

Plant Leadership

CNC Quality Control Scheduling Human Resources Client Relations