Robert Ziegler

EVP Global Physical Operations Universal Music Group

Redondo Beach, California, United States

About

Experienced executive who has held global strategic and management positions in the areas of supply chain, operations, demand and production planning, manufacturing, customer service, distribution and transportation management. Broad-based experience in leading large departments including staff development and training. Extensive background in vendor selection and management in a first party and third party logistics model. Vast knowledge of the home entertainment, packaged media, consumer products and retail environment in the Americas and European markets.

Experience

  • EVP Global Physical Operations at Universal Music Group
    Apr 2016 - Present · 10 yrs 3 mos

  • President Global Platform Services at Sony DADC
    Jul 2013 - Mar 2016 · 2 yrs 9 mos

    Profit and loss owner for Sony DADC’s Global Platform Services Group (GPS). Focused on providing back office and supply planning outsource solutions for content owners in the packaged media and consumer packaged goods sector. Accountable for a total annual budget in excess of $48M. Other responsibilities include managing third party manufacturing and distribution networks, vendor management, contract negotiation, staff development and management, accountability for global, regional and local budgets, cost cutting prioritization, development and management of key performance indicators(KPI’s), forecasting and planning, sustainability programs, and customer service. Management and leadership of an employee population of 250 team members with 4 direct reports. Responsible for managing the strategy, development, and growth in three functional areas: • Retail Operations (customer service, order desk, vendor managed inventory (VMI)) • Credit and Cash Collections (credit worthiness, cash collections, deduction management) • Plan to Fulfill Services (demand planning, milestone management, inventory planning) European achievements • Development of shared service center concept reducing direct labor spend by over 30% • Process improvement programs resulting in a 10% labor savings • Client acquisition – development of sales strategy, pricing, and target account base • Successful onboarding of major games and video suppliers North American achievements • New business development – startup of services offering in the North American Market. Inclusive of sales strategy and support, pricing/cost model development, staffing requirements, definition of system capabilities and implementation. • Successful onboarding of a diversified portfolio of accounts • Led business from start up to profitable in 2 years

  • President at RZ Consulting, LLC
    Sep 2012 - Jul 2013 · 11 mos

    End to end supply chain planning and logistics support in building a global end to end outsourcing program for major manufacturing and distribution suppliers in the home entertainment arena. Focused on providing content companies a path to gaining synergies through placing tactical functions into a third party where multiple clients can be served by one entity. The scope of work included building financial viability models, program management, commercial engagement strategies, transition planning and development of staffing models.

  • SVP Operations, Americas at Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
    Feb 2007 - Sep 2012 · 5 yrs 8 mos

    Responsible for managing SPHE’s supply chain operations in North and South America. Other responsibilities included managing SPHE’s global distribution network, vendor management, contract negotiation, staff management, development of regional operational strategy, cost cutting prioritization, business plan management, development and management of key performance indicators(KPI’s), forecasting and planning, sustainability programs, and customer service. Accountable for a total annual budget in excess of $350M. Management and leadership of an employee population of 50 team members with 5 direct reports. • Developed a Global Account Management Team concept. Included ownership of the process and strategy in leveraging supply chain capabilities to further commercial opportunities between SPHE and its customers • Delivered $105M in supply chain savings through process improvement and contract negotiations • Implemented a mentoring program for high potential employees • Formulated future departmental strategy looking to drive internal change in all areas of expertise o Direct to Retail o Inventory Management o Returns Processing o Sony United physical supply chain Initiatives o Involvement with development & recommendations of Internal IT systems o Distribution/ERP (CDS/One World/JDEdwards) o Financials (SAP/JDEdwards) /Data Warehouse (Oracle) o Decision Support & Forecasting (I2/ITSS)

  • Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (Culver City, CA)
    • Vice President Operations
      Mar 2003 - Feb 2007 · 4 yrs

      • • Led the transition of distribution activities from Deluxe Video Services to Sony Entertainment Distribution • Managed the integration of MGM Home Entertainment into the SPHE organization and supply chain • Negotiated new distribution and reverse logistics contracts which resulted in significant performance improvements along with a 15% reduction in costs in the United States, Mexico, and Canada

    • Executive Director of Operations
      Mar 2000 - Mar 2003 · 3 yrs 1 mo

      Overall management of the Operations team Departmental owner in the design and delivery of SPHE’s new ERP system (JDEdwards One World) Negotiated print and corrugate agreements resulting in cost reductions of 20% Negotiated transportation contracts resulting in savings of 15%