GWEN K. KATO

**** ******* 847-***-****

Morton Grove, Illinois 60053 ablghp@r.postjobfree.com

QUALIFICATIONS

Highly motivated individual who has shown a consistent history of success

in varied career paths. Achievements are the direct result of strong

problem solving skills, job dedication and exceptional interpersonal and

communication skills.

EXPERIENCE

Eastman Kodak, Wheeling, Illinois September 2009 - Present

Operations Manager

On September 1, 2009, Eastman Kodak purchased Bowe Bell + Howell Scanners,

LLC. As a member of the leadership team, we led the integration of BBH into

Kodak's processes and culture. In addition to my daily operations

responsibilities listed below, I assumed the management role to direct the

conversion process of Kodak's ERP system, SAP.

. Implemented SAP in 120 day period with process documented and

personnel trained.

. Met conversion date with no interruption of manufacturing, purchasing

and logistic processes.

BOWE BELL + HOWELL SCANNERS, Wheeling, Illinois February 2005 - August

2009

Manager Supply Chain

Responsibilities expanded to include supervision of a purchasing team of

two Planner/Buyers and a logistics team of four people, which included an

export logistics coordinator. In January 2006, manufacturing was

transferred back to the scanner division. In May 2006, I assumed the

responsibility for the manufacturing team consisting of a manufacturing

engineer, a failure analysis engineer and ten assembler/technicians. In

addition to purchasing duties which includes pricing/contract negotiations,

my management responsibilities consisted of performance

development/reviews, participation in strategic planning for long term

business planning, budget reviews, new product development, defining the

quality program, implementing 5S/lean manufacturing and developing vendor

scorecards.

. Realigned supply chain for rollers resulting in a cost savings of

$120K for the first year.

. Overachieving corporate cost saving goals by $125K in 2007.

. Decreased vendor base by 20% in 2007-2008.

. Established the kanban ordering processes for the manufacturing floor

increasing turns to 27 per year.

. Developed and implemented a quality program to achieve the goal level

of 4 Sigma.

. Consistently met or exceeded the year- end inventory goals.

BELL + HOWELL SCANNERS, LLC, Chicago, Illinois July 2001- January 2005

In January 2003, Bowe Systec GmBH of Germany made the initial purchase of

Bell + Howell Corporation. Scanner division was renamed Bowe Bell + Howell

Scanners. In addition to the below responsibilities, I led the conversion

process of the ERP system, IFS in October 2004 and remained the system

specialist for the division.

Sr. Buyer/Planner (June 2003- Jan 2005)

. Added new OEM partner increasing planning/purchasing from five to nine

models with a yearly spend of $8M.

. Designed and implemented the spare parts program for new OEM products.

. Reduced spare parts inventory by 20% without decreasing on time

shipping metric.

. Implemented IFS within 90 days with all processes documented and

personnel trained.

. Consistently met year-end inventory goals.

Buyer (July 2001 to May 2003)

Scanner division was reorganized under the Bell + Howell Corporation as a

result of the sale of B+H Imaging Solutions. Division consisted of sales,

marketing and engineering with the manufacturing under the responsibility

of the sister division Bell + Howell MMT. Returned to the Scanner division

as the sole buyer responsible for all purchases to satisfy: service parts,

OEM products, new product development and MRO support.

. Established a spare parts stocking program reducing late shipments by

85%.

. Implemented a reverse supply chain for cameras, power supplies and

boards

. Identified and recaptured a $90K billing error from our OEM partner.

BELL + HOWELL IMAGING SOLUTIONS, Chicago, Illinois May 2000 - July 2001

Telesales Representative

Bell + Howell Imaging Solutions, a division within the B+H Corporation, was

a leader in providing information services and solutions for document

management of micrographic equipment. Drove sales for low end micrographics

equipment and was responsible for supporting the western territory account

managers to develop/qualify leads for mid/high end equipment, consumables

and accessories. Division was sold to Eastman Kodak in July 2001.

. Established a stable point of contact for the Territory, improving

customer satisfaction.

. Negotiated contract pricing for supplies resulting in increased

autoship orders.

. Closed sales on core products resulting in total combined sales of

equipment and supplies exceeding $1.5 million.

BELL + HOWELL IMAGING COMPONENTS, Arlington Heights, Illinois August

1997 - May 2000

Buyer

Responsible for procuring/planning of production and service parts for

CopyScan II line, two OEM product lines and MRO items. Additional

responsibilities included controlling branding on packaging and printed

literature and representing the purchasing group on ISO audits.

. Re-negotiated parts pricing, established kanban system meeting

production requirements and inventory goals.

. Decreased back log for service parts by establishing better vendor

relations and accurate forecasts.

BELL + HOWELL SCANNER DIVISION, Chicago, Illinois September 1996 -

July1997

Distribution Associate

A division of Bell + Howell, Scanners is a manufacturer of high production

scanners used in industries with high volume of paper handling requirements

such as banking, insurance and freight companies. Responsible for

distribution/logistics of scanner parts for domestic and international

accounts.

. Decreased losses by 30% through the establishment of RMA and depot

processes.

. Increased inventory turns for service parts by implementing inventory

control measures and accurate forecasts.

KATO, Inc. DBA Bead It! Chicago, Illinois October 1992 - February 1996

Owner/Operator

Co-owned a retail business selling beads, findings and miscellaneous items

for jewelry making. Responsibilities included sales,

advertising/marketing, finance, staffing, purchasing, inventory control and

coordinating jewelry classes.

KATO, Inc., Chicago, Illinois February 1987 - April 1993

Owner/Operator

Co-owned manufacturing company specializing in high priced costume jewelry

for eveningwear. Operations partner responsible for finance, purchasing,

inventory, staffing of four assemblers and directing production schedule.

. Increased profits by approximately 25% through managing production and

controlling purchasing.

BELMONT COMMUNITY HOSPITAL, Chicago, Illinois June 1977 - December

1987

Microbiology Department Supervisor (1983 to 1987)

Responsible for supervising three technologists and a clerk. Performed

scheduling, performance reviews, purchasing capital equipment, reviewing

quality control/quality assurance procedures, budgets and was the

microbiologist consultant for the Infectious Disease Committee reviewing

nosocomial infections.

. Developed Serology section within a 2 month period meeting CAP

standards and budgetary requirements.

Microbiology Department Bench Supervisor (1977 to 1983)

Responsibilities included routine testing, assigning daily workload,

reviewing approving test results, purchasing supplies, participated in

performance review and coordinated Oakton College's Medical Laboratory

Technical student rotation.

BELMONT COMMUNITY HOSPITAL, Chicago, Illinois June 1974 -

August 1976

Microbiology Department Staff Microbiologist

Performed routine tests in all sections of microbiology: bacteriology,

parasitology, mycology and mycobacteriology.

EDUCATION

Certification, 1977, Evanston Hospital School of Medical Technology,

Evanston, Illinois

B.S, Biology, Western Illinois University, Macomb, Illinois, 1974

Minor in Education

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS

CSCP, Certified Supply Chain Professional #1602381

APICS, 2006

SM (ASCP) Specialist Microbiologist #SM 917,

American Society of Clinical Pathologists, 1982

MT (ASCP) Medical Technologist #MT 118276,

American Society of Clinical Pathologists, 1977

Elementary Grades 6-12 Teaching Certificate #998504, State of Illinois,

1974

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