Francesco Romano

Operations & Analytical Excellence Leader | Global Production Management | Data-Driven Services | 25+ Years

Milan, Lombardy, Italy

About

Seasoned operations leader with 25+ years in data-driven environments, combining hands-on team management with strategic oversight of global production workflows. I have built and led multi-continent organizations — up to 200+ associates across Malaysia, India, Europe, the US, and Mexico — managing operating plans of up to $5.5M and consistently delivering above target on quality, cost, and on-time delivery. Key achievements across Nielsen and NielsenIQ include a 50% YoY reduction in top-severe production issues, sustained OTD of 99% (target 95%), and 11–15% annual cost reduction over three consecutive years. I also defined the organizational blueprint for the global Control Tower consolidation (from 6 hubs across 3 continents to 1 super-hub). I am equally comfortable setting strategic direction, managing senior stakeholders across geographies, and driving change from the ground up. I believe operational excellence is, above all, a people matter. Currently leading Analytics and Reporting Services at New Line Ricerche di Mercato, a pharmaceutical sell-out intelligence company based in Milan. 📌 Open to senior leadership opportunities in Global Operations, Operational Excellence, and Data Services.

Experience

  • Analytics and Reporting Services Senior Manager at New Line Ricerche di Mercato
    Jan 2025 - Present · 1 yr 7 mos

    Leading the design, development, and delivery of analytics and reporting solutions for the pharmaceutical sell-out intelligence sector. Responsible for data output quality and consistency, KPI definition, and reporting standardization. Primary liaison between data production and client-facing stakeholders. Managing a team of analysts in a fast-paced, data-intensive environment.

  • NielsenIQ (Full-time · 26 yrs 1 mo)
    • Global Operations - Production Control Tower & Retail Daily Data Service Leader
      Oct 2020 - Jun 2024 · 3 yrs 9 mos

      Accountable for end-to-end 24/7 production monitoring and output data processing of deliverables to clients. 10 direct reports and 200+ associates across Malaysia, India, Europe, the US, and Mexico. Direct report to the Global Operations Head. Operating plan of $5.5M. ✅ On-time delivery: 99% (target 95%) | Quality: 99% (target 97%) — sustained 2021–2023 ✅ Led production stability program with Technology: –50% YoY top-severe issues ✅ 11–15% YoY cost reduction over three consecutive years ✅ Defined the blueprint for the global Control Tower evolution: from 6 hubs / 3 continents to 1 super-hub

    • Global Operations - Processing Hub Leader
      Apr 2017 - Sep 2020 · 3 yrs 6 mos

      Led 24/7 output data processing with 5 direct reports and 50+ associates in India, Europe, and Mexico. Designed the on-shore/off-shore organizational blueprint (–20% FTEs). Sustained OTD 98% / quality 99% through major platform transitions.

    • Global Output Operations Enablement Leader
      Sep 2013 - Mar 2017 · 3 yrs 7 mos

      Globally responsible for SOP/KPI definition, operational issue resolution, and cross-functional project execution with Technology. Led roll-out of Nielsen's first global product coding platform and migration of the primary global data processing platform (France → UK), with regional instances in LATAM, US, and APAC.

  • Head of Hypermarket Department at Coop Alleanza 3.0
    Oct 1996 - May 1998 · 1 yr 8 mos

    Commercial and HR manager for assigned departments - 20+ associates