Eric Handler

** ***** ******, *******, ** *****

Email: acrt4q@r.postjobfree.com

Senior Manufacturing Leadership

* 30 years of leadership and management experience with 20 years in manufacturing and engineering.

* Expertise in manufacturing, general management, strategic planning, and day-to-day execution.

* A change agent with experience in problem/turn-around situations requiring employee development and process improvement using Lean concepts and Theory of Constraints (TOC).

* Project management and scheduling of manufacturing assets to accomplish project goals.

* Complex custom and engineered-to-order capital equipment; hydraulic, electronic, and electro-mechanical products and systems; and consumer goods and products.

* Extensive experience in metal working and woodworking environments.

* Member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers and the Lean Enterprise Institute.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree (BS) - United States Military Academy, West Point - Engineering 1978 - 1982

Master’s Degree (MBA) - University of Georgia - Business Administration 1990 - 1992

Professional Experience

Plant Manager – Morgan Corporation – Morgantown, PA 2014 - Present

Led a custom truck body manufacturing and parts fabrication facility of four plants and associated warehouses. Manufacturing and mounting 30 truck bodies a day. Over 400 direct and indirect hourly and salaried staff on multiple shifts. This, the company’s flagship location, faced significant problems of inefficient layout, materials shortages, and a culture of poor discipline brought on by constant senior leadership turn-over. * Responsible for safety, quality, delivery, cost, continuous improvement activities using Lean, all regulatory requirements, and employee involvement.

* Introduced new visual truck tracking and scheduling system to increase control and decrease non-productive leadership time spend away from the production floor.

* 35% increase in measured efficiency in 3 months.

Plant Manager/Manufacturing Engineer - PRIDE Enterprises - Polk City, FL 2010 - 2014

Leadership of one plant and engineering/marketing for a second for this non-profit furniture manufacturer providing training, job skills, and mentoring to enable inmate workers to become productive citizens upon release from prison. A combined workforce of almost 200 inmate workers and civilian supervisors at the two locations.

* Rescued/turned around one plant in disorganized free-fall bringing it from a loss in excess of $1M in 2011 to break-even in 2013.

* Developed a marketing plan, defined a product line and engineering processes, and implemented strategy for future development for a second plant establishing the necessary foundation for future development and improvement.

VP/General Manager - Petersen Industries - Lake Wales, FL 2005 - 2009

Full P&L responsibility for this manufacturer of solid waste/refuse (trash) collection truck bodies and heavy hydraulic loaders including engineering, production, assembly, quality, marketing, national sales management, dealer relations, customer service, finance, HS&E, and HR. Strategic planning as well as day-to-day operations and execution.

* Maintained profitability during a four year 50-60% industry-wide market contraction brought on by changing regulatory and economic conditions that shut down several direct competitors.

* Provided crucial leadership during the company’s transition from a first generation/founder’s leadership to an independent GM’s direction and control.

* Recruited and trained new sales and engineering leadership and implemented new sales and engineering systems that improved results.

Machining Manager - Impressions Marketing Group - Lorton, VA 2004 - 2005

Responsible for CNC machining & fabrication department of a manufacturer of custom and short-run wood retail store fixtures and fittings serving major clients such as Walmart, CVS, and Home Depot.

* Reduced machining times vs estimate 30% in 6 months while also increasing throughput.

* Introduced scheduling & inventory concepts that enabled company to surpass on-time delivery goals.

Plant Manager - Suncoast Aluminum Furniture - Fort Myers, FL 1998 - 2004

Leadership of a 120,000 sq. ft., multi-shift aluminum furniture manufacturer in a short lead-time, make-to-order environment. Product design, introduction, and engineering; process improvement; employee hiring, training, and development; safety; maintenance; quality; production and inventory control, purchasing, and scheduling in an MRP/ERP environment; and customer service support.

* Successfully led plant through two major expansions and 30-50% annual growth. 75% in 2 years.

* Introduced CNC machining and automation to areas never before automated within the industry.

* Redesigned every aspect of manufacturing process and work flow utilizing Lean Manufacturing and Theory of Constraints (TOC) continuous improvement concepts.

* Significantly improved quality, throughput, productivity, and lead-time.

Production Manager - Garvey Corporation - Blue Anchor, NJ 1996 - 1998

Manufacture of complex custom and engineered-to-order material handling & packaging machinery and conveyor systems for high-volume pharmaceutical, food & beverage, and industrial customers. Execute projects to $3M for customers such as Campbell Soup, General Mills, and Corning. Schedule manufacturing processes: metalworking, machining (metal & plastic), welding, assembly, and troubleshooting. Coordinate and conduct installation and repair services nationwide.

* Increased finished equipment shipment by 65% with only a 5% increase in personnel.

* Improved productivity, product quality, throughput, delivery time, cash flow, and profitability.

Operations Director/Plant Manager - Production Svcs - Middlesborough, England 1992 - 1996

Design, manufacture, and installation of complex electronic public address (PA) systems. Strategic planning and process design. Negotiated with government agencies, banks, etc. Established engineering structure, Bills of Materials, manufacturing jigs and fixtures, and process work instructions. Hired and trained staff and sourced equipment and materials. Managed all operations and functions except sales.

* Planned and executed the successful start-up of a small manufacturing firm marketing speaker cabinets/sound equipment worldwide.

Infantry Officer - United States Army 1982 - 1989

Operational military command and staff positions at company, battalion, and division level: training and operations management and planning, maintenance and logistical support, budget responsibility, personnel management, development of junior leaders, supervision, discipline, and leadership.

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