Robert Cliffe
10 Bal Harbour Drive
Grimsby, Ontario L3M 4P7
Home: (905)945-0506
Email: rcliffe@cogeco.ca
Profile
A SENIOR INFORMATION SYSTEMS MANAGER with over 15 years of progressive experience in leading systems,
network and operations professionals. Has a strategic vision for information systems. Possesses a proven
track record in the development of quality teams and the successful management and delivery of information
systems projects.Displays sound judgement and the ability to make difficult but informed decisions. Has
consistently demonstrated strong technical expertise, a positive attitude toward work, a superior customer
service focus along with superb interpersonal and communication skills.
10 years in automotive(Gates) and 15 years skills in winery environment(Vincor/Jordans)
Information Systems Experience & Accomplishments
I.T. MANAGER – GATES CANADA INC. – BRANTFORD, ON 2000 – 2009
Is responsible for all information technology projects and expense/capital budgets. Leads I.T. and is an active
member on Canadian senior management team. Oversees a staff of up to 11 information system professionals
including outsourced contract personnel. Has experience with ISO implementation and practices, Quality Circles
(TQM and GPS), Lean Six Sigma and Sarbanes Oxley. Has experience with budgeting, AS400 and Oracle
Financials. Supports the following ERP applications: Manufacturing, Distribution (including RF/WMS),
Sales/Marketing and Financials systems. Reports directly to C.F.O. & Canadian President.
• Improved internal & customer communications medium to external customer base. The projects
involved several improvements including WEB access/sales, EDI/Van, telephone PBX, and internal
communications. All improvements yielded overall greater reliability and generated ongoing cost savings.
The solution proposed and implemented affected the car factories, the aftermarket and industrial customers
as well as internal employees. All the projects completed on time and on budget and many yielded an ROI of
less than one year.
• Proactively managed a departmental shift toward a customer service focus. The culture within the
department severely hampered its ability to arrive at a timely resolution to hardware and software issues.
The changes implemented resulted in a renewed confidence in the internal resources while delivering a total
savings in total IT spending of 30% over a 2-year period.
M.I.S. MANAGER - T.G. BRIGHT/VINCOR INTERNATIONAL - NIAGARA FALLS, ON 1987-2000
Established the corporate information systems five-year strategic directives ensuring compliance with corporate
business objectives. Developed and maintained information system standards for both systems professionals and
end-user computing (Windows 95-98, NT). Provided host application support (AS/400 and AT&T Unix) for the
complete corporation which consisted of multiple national locations. Applications supported include financials,
distribution, budgeting, internal/external reporting, POS, business intelligence/data warehouse, Internet
connectivity and human resources. Established and monitored departmental expense budgets. Formulated and
tracked all information systems corporate capital projects. Managed a staff of 8 information systems
professionals. Possesses JD Edwards applications experience in coexistent mode. Reported directly to C.F.O.
and Vice President of Finance.
 Championed the design and construction of a systems architecture capable of supporting rapid corporate
growth. Acquisitions and mergers had resulted in a three-fold growth in less than a three-year period.
Numerous incompatible systems were a serious obstacle to providing timely and accurate information
crucial to making informed decisions. Foresaw the need for a structured and well-documented information
system. Provided the direction and leadership in the final selection of the target architecture. The result of
the project was a success by providing a platform capable of supporting the company’s business objectives
and future initiatives.

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 Designed, purchased and implemented a national information system network. Personally designed and
developed a cost-effective systems architecture that was based on proven, stable technologies. Supervised its
installation and effective integration into nine different company locations. This radical change involved
risks and costs that were carefully assessed in advance. The result was a success that exceeded expectations
and provided tangible cost savings as well as numerous business benefits. The total project was completed
on time and within budget.
 Anticipated the requirement for a proactive approach in the standardization of end-user application tools.
The corporations’ swift growth resulted in a variety of end-user solutions incorporated throughout the
corporation. Organized and lead user/technology group whose mandate was to establish an optimum end-
user solution based on user needs and recent technological developments. The scope of the project included
operating platforms, personal productivity tools and business intelligence. The results were a well-accepted,
uniform approach which improved efficiencies, reduced costs, increased flexibility to meet future needs and
simplified training and systems support.
PROJECT LEADER - BROCK UNIVERSITY - ST. CATHARINES, ON
1986-1987
Provided strategic project management in the deployment of all university administrative systems. Reported
directly to the Director of Computer Services and interacted with key end-user personnel in developing final
system design specifications. Provided leadership and direction to a staff of five professional system developers.
DATA PROCESSING MANAGER - JORDAN & STE-MICHELLE CELLARS, ST. CATHARINES, ON 1984-1986
Prepared and monitored all corporate expense and capital budgets. Lead and directed nine information systems
professionals who supported three different winery locations. Set business systems procedures and standards.
Reported to the Vice President of Finance.
 Foresaw the need for improved end-user systems and tools. Lead, directed and approved the introduction of
a new technology following a careful and thorough assessment. All stakeholders initially did not embrace the
selected technology but through constructive discussion and proactive demonstrations the project was
successful.
 Restructured the data processing department in order to support business objectives. The result of the
change was a success resulting in improved efficiencies and throughput.
DATA PROCESSING MANAGER/PROGRAMMER ANALYST - CANADIAN VEGETABLE OIL PROCESSING
(Division of Canada Packers) - HAMILTON, ON 1982-1984
Delivered all analysis, programming and documentation for business systems installed at CVOP. Supervised
operations on daily procedures. Reported to the General Manager.
 Designed and installed newly-purchased IBM mid-ranged system.
 Architected and implemented four business systems.
ANALYST PROGRAMMER - CANADA PACKERS - TORONTO, ON 1980-1982
Developed and maintained systems installed in different corporate divisions utilizing IBM technology (370, S32,
S34 and S36).
 Maintained Cooked Meat mainframe system.
 Designed and Developed midrange systems (inventory, sales analysis and A/P) for 4 divisions
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Education
RICHARD IVEY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS (UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN ONTARIO)
- Executive Masters of Business Administration (MBA) 1997-1999
CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY - Bachelor of Science (Major in Mathematics) 1972-1976
DAWSON COLLEGE - CEGEP Diploma in Pure & Applied Sciences 1970-1972