KURT W. VEDDER

**** ******** ***** ***********, ** 44026

LinkedIn Profile: http://www.linkedin.com/in/kurtwvedder

440-***-**** acr9rf@r.postjobfree.com

QUALITY ASSURANCE, SUPPLY CHAIN, OPERATIONS, R & D, DIRECTOR Contributing Excellence through Diligence and Integrity SUMMARY

Highly accomplished Quality Assurance, Supply Chain, Operations and R&D Director with over 20 years of experience in the general manufacturing and specialty chemical industries incorporating a wide range of technologies and applications. Consistently delivered against organizational effectiveness and efficiency goals. Decisive and results oriented with a proven track record of maximizing resources and partnerships to optimize corporate, functional and financial performance in all areas of the business. Extremely reliable, possessing a strong work ethic as well as a dedicated team player, ensuring top quality operational performance.

Technically savvy and a quick study in emerging technology, able to quickly assess and utilize the appropriate response to meet the specific needs of the business requirement at hand. A seasoned professional with extensive laboratory, operations and manufacturing experience who enjoys the synergies of idea exchange, collaboration and shared learning.

Known for strong client, supplier and stakeholder relationships, a high level of enthusiasm for business success and consistently demonstrating integrity.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Quality System and Quality Assurance Management • APQP • PPAP Procurement, Supplier and Inventory Management • Strategic Partnerships, Acquisitions and Alliances • R&D Management • Product Development • Regulatory Compliance • Health & Safety • Logistics Management • Resource and Personnel Development • Stakeholder Training • Technical Sales • ERP Systems • Laboratory and Project Management • Technical Manufacturing Optimization and Support • International Business Protocol • Global Delivery • International Travel • Team Building and Leadership PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Liberty Steel Industries, Inc.

Senior Quality Systems and Improvement Director April 2015 – September 2015 Manage all Quality and business improvement activities for this ~$50 million stamping company as an Executive Team Leader reporting to the President. In April of 2015, Liberty Steel Products, Inc. spun off its Stamping and Assembly Division and formed Liberty Steel Industries, Inc. a new standalone company. The new company has steel service center, manufacturing, stamping, assembly and warehousing capabilities in facilities located in Ohio and Mexico. The Company’s primary customers are globally based OEMs or companies in the Heavy Truck, Automotive, Oil and Gas, Lawn and Garden and Appliance industries. Primary roles are to manage and lead the corporate quality group consisting of a Director, Engineers and Manager. Responsibilities include collaboration with the functional areas of the corporation to streamline and improve all business activities that directly or indirectly impact the quality assurance system, organization responsiveness and our customers’ perception of the company.

Accomplishments include:

Facilitated the successful transition and separation of the Quality Management System (QMS) for Liberty Steel Products and Liberty Steel Industries establishing a separate and complete QMS for each new company. Working with both organizations simultaneously, prepared and insured all activities and preparations were accomplished to allow the successful splitting of the original corporate ISO Registration into separate registrations for each new organization successfully avoiding registrar non-conformances or lapses in certificate coverage.

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Facilitated the successful renewal of the ISO Registration for the company’s Mexico manufacturing plant in May, one month after the company separation was finalized.

Facilitated the successful ISO 17025E surveillance audit by the third party registrar, resulting in no non- conformances and continued Laboratory accreditation.

Re-tasked the activities of the Quality Group to support the customer imposed LEAN Program initiative while maintaining existing department duties and activities without needing to increase department staffing levels.

Facilitated and managed the successful transition of the QMS for the Ohio Operations from the old company’s system to a new and complete QMS ready for third party registrar renewal in November.

Modified and strengthened the online measurement equipment control program for the entire organization. This further improved equipment control, calibration, communication, equipment tracking and record keeping across the organization.

At the request of the President, developed and rolled out a Microsoft Access based Customer Claims / Debit Memo Management Database for the Organization.

Developed and rolled out a Microsoft Access based Corrective and Preventive Action Database for the Organization. The database’s purpose is to manage and facilitate all responses and closure activities in a more organized and timely manner. Eliminating the existing paper system, it provides management reporting functions as well as one stop access to necessary records and evidence needed for closure verification and historical review.

Liberty Steel Products, Inc.

Senior Quality Systems and Improvement Director October 2011 – April 2015 Manage all quality assurance and business improvement activities for this $250 million steel company as an Executive Team Leader. The company consists of two business units: a Steel Service Center Group and a Stamping and Assembly Group with manufacturing and warehouse facilities in Ohio and Mexico. Primary customers were Automotive and Heavy Truck OEMs, Tier 1, 2, & 3 companies, Oil and Gas, Lawn and Garden and Appliance industries

Primary roles were to manage and lead the corporate quality group consisting of a Director, Engineers and Manager and to collaborate with the functional areas of the corporation to streamline and improve all business activities that directly or indirectly impact the quality assurance system, organization responsiveness and our customers’ perception of the company .

Accomplishments include:

Successfully guided the implementation of a performance goal directed, metric based continual improvement process for key business process and operational areas.

Led the project to upgrade the existing quality management system in the USA from ISO 9001 registration to being TS 16949 compliant, resulting in elevated customer satisfaction and new business opportunities in the Stamping Group.

Led the project that resulted in the registration of an ISO 9001 quality management system in the recently opened Mexico facility that is TS 16949 compliant. This was accomplished in less than 7 months.

Led the project that resulted in the accreditation (ISO 17025) of the Physical Testing Laboratory for the Steel Service Center Group. This was accomplished in 6 months. Resulted $115K of savings annually to the company.

Spearheaded and led the effort to implement a more robust product realization process (APQP, PPAP) in the Stamping Group. This resulted in increased new business as well as improved and more efficient product launches, better production efficiencies and enhanced customer and supply chain relationships. The cycle time required to achieve product realization was accelerated which lead to better financial and commercial results and minimal startup issues.

Spearheaded the effort to develop an internal container labeling program that improved product identification and indicated operational as well as inspection status for all inventory in the stamping operations. This reduced part and operational identification errors and improved inventory accuracy.

Implemented an Access Database application for incoming part receiving activities which improved communication and inventory accuracy.

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Implemented an automated, on line measurement equipment control program for the Corporation. This eliminated an existing paper system prone to issues. The online system improved equipment control, calibration, communication, tracking and record keeping across the organization. Operational and Marketing Consultant 2010 – October 2011 University Hospitals of Cleveland, OH

Supply Chain Management Consultant

Responsible for recording and coordinating receiving, directing inventory control processes and stocking of daily shipments. Responsible for inventory reconciliation, review of daily Oracle MRP orders submitted by departments, order fulfillment and delivery. Working with department managers to improved resource allocation, supply chain area performance and increase service levels and order fill response time. Averaging 10 hours per week. Howell Marketing

Digital Marketing Account Executive

Responsible for the execution of online marketing plans within a variety of industries: Home & Garden, Building and Construction, Interior Design, Commercial and Hospitality. Experience includes communication planning, content development and posting, retail site planning and development, search engine optimization, and the execution of online networking programs. Averaging 10-15 hours per week. BioMed Startup

Business Plan and Operational Consultant

Researched BioMed market opportunities and competitive environment. Reviewed business plan and quality program, developed and presented recommendations for business plan changes and operational and supply chain system improvements.

Etna Products Inc. 2004 – 2010

Technical, Purchasing and Quality Assurance Director Managed quality assurance, regulatory compliance, R & D, product development and realization, ERP, technical service, and supply chain as Executive Team Leader of this $10 million dollar global company. Major products designed and manufactured were industrial lubricants, greases, corrosion inhibitors, coating system components and adhesives.

Collaborated with operations, sales and management to streamline and improve all related performance areas. Supervised all technology transfers between global partners. Led 5 member laboratory team to improve testing procedures and result tracking leading to improved design process cycle times, customer sample testing and overall lab performance.

Led corporate effort to gain ISO/TS 16949 and maintain existing ISO 9001 registrations. Quality System Management Representative (QMR) and chairman of the Environmental, Health and Safety Committee working cross functionally to ensure regulatory compliance and safety was maintained in all functional areas and products and services provided to customers. ISO compliance requirements stimulated the development of new disciplines that streamlined business processes, improved communications and departmental cooperation resulting in higher performance and improved job satisfaction at all levels. As a result, customer satisfaction levels increased by 20% and there were no lost time accidents and no compliance incidents in six years. Managed all activities associated with regulatory and health and safety compliance. Implemented procedures and processes to insure compliance with all local, state, federal and international regulations relative to the environment, health and safety, shipping and customer use of company products. These included researching, advising, and working collaboratively with Operations, Sales, Marketing, R & D and Manufacturing to write and update company policies and procedures as necessary related to REACH, GHS, M.S.D.S and label creation, OSHA, Dept. of Homeland Security, DOT, and NAFTA.

Also developed and revised as necessary the company’s SPCC, Emergency Action, and SWPPP plans as well as made periodic contact and filings with the state and federal levels of the EPA, OSHA and United States Customs. Kurt Vedder Page 4

Oversaw installation, maintenance and use of ERP/MRP system to achieve corporate goals and objectives in product planning, manufacturing, procurement, inventory control, order entry and customer satisfaction. Created ERP / MRP related performance and ad hoc reports for management using ERP / MRP and Crystal Reports™ report writing software. Led to fewer raw material outages, lower purchasing cost, better inventory turns, improved quality and greater order fill rates for orders being shipped to customers. . Managed a $ 2 million procurement budget. Impacted procurement partnerships and alliances to stabilize and lower procurement costs and improve delivery lead-time while maintaining overall supplier delivery and quality performance at greater than 98%.

Leveraged logistic and 3PL partnerships to reduce inbound LTL freight costs ($200,000 budget) by 25% and thereafter 6% annually while maintaining carrier on-time performance and service levels at 98%. Setup systems and procedures with customs brokers, freight forwarders and customs to facilitate proper product classification, labeling, smooth and efficient shipment processing and customs clearance for imports and exports. Setup Laboratory project tracking system (LIMS) to manage and track more than 65 R&D, New Business, Technical Service projects annually completing more than 99% before their deadlines and averaging 10-20 new cost competitive product launches per year. Completed projects were either to save existing business, $10 million in sales or to address new business opportunities which averaged $900,000 annually. Average ROI on a project cost was less than two months. Lowered average raw material costs for products by 10% generating a 10% improvement in product profit margin.

Established technical service sample testing, tracking and reporting system resulting in “Best in Class” sample turnaround time. Contributed to 10 – 20% sales growth and increased customer satisfaction. Member of Strategic Business Acquisition Team. Evaluated a $ 6 million metal forming lubricant business and made recommendations regarding the viability of quality, product technology, procurement and logistic processes. Was an Enta-Bechem Board Member.

Milacron Inc. 1985 – 2004

Quality Assurance Manager (Consumable Products Division) 1999 – 2004 Managed and facilitated all aspects of the quality control and assurance activities for this $200 million, 500 employee, global, multi-site, design and manufacturing division. Major products designed and manufactured were industrial grinding wheels, lubricants, corrosion inhibitors, and greases. Assessed and provided council on Quality Control, Quality Assurance, Procurement and Logistic activities, processes and performance for new acquisitions. Oversaw the registration and integration of new acquisition quality management systems. Acted as the Division Management Representative to Quality and Environmental System Management Review Board. Member of Strategic Business Acquisition Team, resulted in the purchase of $6 million Producto Chemical and $12 million Oak International businesses. Managed 10 member cross-functional team developing and implementing an integrated business management system resulting in the first dual registration of a company to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards. Slashed internal management and registration costs by 50%. ISO compliance requirements stimulated the development of new disciplines that streamlined business processes, improved communications and departmental cooperation resulting in higher performance and improved job satisfaction at all levels. Contributed to 20% sales growth. Quality Assurance and Supply Chain Manager (Industrial Products Division) 1990 – 1999 Managed and facilitated all aspects of the quality control and assurance activities for this $200 million, 500 employee, global, multi-site division. Led purchasing negotiations and buying staff in the procurement of goods, services, freight and raw materials while maintaining strong supplier partnerships to achieve high product quality and performance. Member of Strategic Business Acquisition Team, resulted in the purchase of the $7 million SL Abrasives business.

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Managed a $40 million procurement budget using strategic partnerships and alliances to consolidate the supply base, develop suppliers, extend payment terms, improve lead-times and lower purchasing expenditures. Managed a $5 million annual freight budget. Member of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System Installation Team. Implemented a new strategic inventory program to improve accuracy and management practices.

Introduced a program to consolidate/improve carrier service performance by 20% and reduce inbound and outbound LTL and TL freight costs by 10% utilizing feedback practices, performance metrics and effective negotiating skills.

Increased inventory turns by 20% and reduced working capital. Negotiated favorable terms and improved cash flow of operating group by 30 days.

Achieved inventory accuracy target greater than 98% for accurate MRP involving a 15,000-item inventory. Led to fewer raw material outages, lower purchasing cost, better inventory turns, improved quality and greater order fill rates for orders being shipped to customers. Named Corporate “Best Practice” Benchmarking Techniques Expert, driving process improvements through the use of measurable performance metrics compared to best in class companies. Provided training and consulting to Milacron’s three Operating Groups and 100 mid and senior managers. Quality Assurance Manager (Industrial Products Division) 1987 – 1990 Aluminum Product Manager and Quality Assurance Manager 1985 – 1987 EDUCATION

Master of Science, Industrial Microbiology and Biochemistry of Microorganisms Wayne State University Bachelor of Science, Biology, Minor Chemistry Central Michigan University PUBLICATIONS

Completed Master Thesis through in plant work and consultation at the Ford Motor Company Engine Plant in Essex Ontario., Thesis: The Detection of Airborne Sulfate Reducing Bacteria from Metal Working Fluid Environments.

Publication: The Detection of Airborne Sulfate Reducing Bacteria from Metal Working Fluid Environments. 1986 Biodeterioration 6, Proceedings of the Sixth International Biodeterioration Symposium, Co-developed a recovery method for airborne sulfate reducing bacteria. TRAINING AND CERTIFICATIONS

Hazardous Material Waste Practices – Management • Material Safety Data Sheet Authoring • Process Control Plans Steven Covey’s Seven Habits of Highly Effective People Course for Managers • LEAN Manufacturing Principles Lead Quality System Auditor • Measurement System Evaluation and Improvement • Statistical Process Control Failure Mode and Effect Analysis, Design and Processes • Production Part Approval Process • Six Sigma Techniques Experimental Design Techniques • APQP • STLE Certified Metalworking Fluid Specialist • IMDS Sub. & Admin. TECHNICAL SKILLS

MS Office Suite • Visio • Access • MS Project • ERP/MRP Software • Crystal Reports

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