INNOVATE, MAKE MORE, SPEND LESS
I’m thrilled to invite you to explore my work, skills and professional experience, and get to know a bit more about me. I am a results-driven executive with a proven record of rapidly building high-performing organizations, driving aggressive growth, improving operations, and delivering results. Please take a moment to look around, and contact me directly to learn more.
GLOBAL PRACTICE
I have had an amazing career that has allowed me to grow businesses around the world and over several industries including: Industrial Automation, Building Products, and Telecommunications/IT Services.
I can bring creative ideas and successful solutions to the table. Take a look through my CV site to find out more about what I have to offer - or get in touch to discuss how I can help you grow your business beyond your imagination.
ABOUT SEAN HIRKA
Dynamic, fast-paced, innovative, results-driven, leader, team player, competitor...These are just a few words that have been used to describe me. Creating a shared vision, developing and implementing growth strategies, building teams and supporting ongoing collaboration is critical. I am metrics-driven and I hold others accountable, driving them to exceed their own expectations.
Throughout my exciting career, I have had amazing opportunities to be involved with some of the most incredible projects such as the first Amazon.com automated facilities, automation of the DHL sortation facility in Guangzhou China, rebuilding of the World Trade Center, Building the New Panama Canal expansion, and the hosted voice networks for the State of Ohio and the State of Indiana.
Are you curious? Please contact me, and let's discuss how we can grow your business.
PROFESSIONAL HISTORY
DIRECTOR OF SOLUTION LIFECYCLE MANAGEMENT, CBTS (CINCINNATI BELL)
June 2015-July, 2017
Championed the strategy, execution, and life cycle management of a product portfolio that serves as the foundation of the company’s primary growth. Lead a team of Product Managers, Vendor Managers, and Expense Managers who oversee a $500M P&L for all Cincinnati Bell Business and CBTS product offerings, including VoIP, SD-WAN, Network as a Service, Cloud Orchestration, Disaster Recovery, and Unified Communication services.
DIRECTOR OF GLOBAL PRODUCT MANAGEMENT, DAYTON SUPERIOR
May, 2008-June, 2015
Held full accountability for P&L of $400M global product portfolio and strategy. Led global team of product management, marketing, and development professionals with four main objectives: align the portfolio for improved profitability; expand global footprint; accelerate growth of the portfolio; and drive innovation and new product development. Instrumental in streamlining global strategies with in-country market initiatives.
PRODUCT MANAGER, FKI LOGISTEX (NOW INTELLIGRATED, A DIVISION OF HONEYWELL)
January, 2000-May, 2008
Managed P&L for UniSort® line of sortation products representing $12M in annual sales. Developed annual business plans that outlined both strategic and tactical objectives for the portfolio of products.
"ONCE IN A WHILE YOU GET SHOWN THE LIGHT IN THE STRANGEST OF PLACES IF YOU LOOK AT IT RIGHT."
Robert Hunter
ACHIEVEMENTS
INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC SPEAKING
Multiple Speaking Engagements:
MVITA (Miami Valley International Trade Association)
Countries: United States, Panama, Colombia, Mexico, Chile, Spain, United Kingdom
"Sean is one of the most well rounded professionals I have had the pleasure to work with during my 20+ years in the workplace. When looking for a potential Leader, ideally you want someone who has been in the trenches and actually done the work. Furthermore, this individual must have the ability to develop Mid, Senior, and Executive level relationships to cut through red tape. Sean has all of these characteristics and more. He builds a solid Team and truly respects and cares for the personal and professional development of those around him. On top of all this, one of the most impressive things about Sean is his passion to continuously grow and learn. Sean would be an invaluable asset to any organization."
Tyler Shaner, Sr. Product Manager @ Dayton Superior
Confident, Resilient, Driven, and Hard-working are a few of the notable characteristics that Sean demonstrates as a manager. I had the pleasure of working with Sean for the past two years as he rebuilt our entire Business Product Management team. His ability to come into a brand new industry, adapt quickly and learn the technology, while building a strong team was both, remarkable and key to our success. Sean would be a desirable manager to any team and an asset to any organization.
Sara Meyers
Sr. Product Manager, Cloud & Digital Strategy @ CBTS
I worked with Sean very closely for eight years as we expanded our operations at Dayton Superior into Latin America. Sean led the effort to understand and analyze the market-specific requirements for our products and evaluate the market potential. This was done through traditional research as well as in the field. After completion, he led the team that presented the business plan to Senior Management that was approved and we were charged with executing.
Sean played a significant part in setting-up our manufacturing and distribution operations in Panama and Colombia. These were both greenfield operations and were the first of ever for our employer, Dayton Superior. In addition, Sean was an integral part in developing the sales channels in several countries throughout Central & South America. He has a great understanding of the complexities and dynamics of international business, and he was instrumental in the overwhelming success of the company's first expansion into a foreign new market.
Sean is one of the most well-rounded professionals I have had the pleasure to work with during my 20+ years in the workplace. When looking for a leader, ideally you want someone who has been in the trenches and has done the work. Sean is that person. He was very successful developing relationships at all levels of our organization.
Any organization seeking to expand internationally will benefit from Sean’s experience. He builds a solid team and truly respects and cares for the personal and professional development of those around him. Above all, one of the most impressive things about Sean, is his passion to continuously grow and learn. He acts with courage and his integrity is beyond reproach.
Rick Wilson
Vice President of Sales & Marketing @ Construction Materials
"Sean was an excellent communicator and leader. He easily translated very technical products into clear features and benefits for the market, partners and customers. His clear, detailed communication style mean we were able to create targeted marketing assets and programs that worked. His leadership with marketing expanded to his team which translated into more great relationships and solid program development for all."
Elena Kennedy, Business Development Manager @ Microsoft Alliance
"Sean and I worked together at FKI Logistex where we worked as peers in the Product Management group. We collaborated on product and go-to-market strategies frequently, most notably on the introduction of MXT technology which was selected as the “best in show technology” at the industry’s leading tradeshow.
Sean is a dynamic leader as demonstrated in his thought processes of accessing and pursuing opportunities, as well as working with teams to bring solutions market. I thoroughly enjoyed working with Sean, and highly recommend him."
Jerry Koch, Vice President of Product Management @ Intelligrated
"Sean is a visionary who knows how to execute both tactically and strategically with solid results. I thoroughly enjoy working for Sean and always found that he set and met high standards for his work. Sean did an excellent job in managing some very complex and difficult projects and/or personnel that required a high level of intra-organizational coordination."
Adam Walton, Sr. Vendor Manager @ CBTS
Sean Hirka is a brilliant mastermind who will probably take over the world if we don't stop him soon. Seriously, Sean has a great natural ability to look at all aspects of a business situation and develop a well thought out strategic plan. Beyond that, Sean has the people skills to get a diverse team behind him and working toward the same goal. I thoroughly enjoyed my time working with him and hope he does take over the world some day.
Tim Kraus, Manager of Product Management @ Intelligrated
"Sean is very high energy with a passion for product management. He is very creative, thinks outside the box and has a proven track record managing product development. I have seen his efforts yield unique solutions to complex issues, identify new markets and develop successful strategies to break into them. He has developed and implemented high quality stage gate processes to manage new product development as well as the complementary tools to drive it. In short, Sean possesses the drive and ambition to get the job done."