JOHN T. SLUSSER

*** ********** ****** **** ** Salem, MA 01970 910-***-**** acwarn@r.postjobfree.com

Https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-slusser-644279

Sr. Plant Operations Executive

I leverage analytics and forecasting to identify operational opportunities, win stakeholder buy-in and exceed the growth mandate for the company. Decisive, pro-active leader with a balanced approach to managing overall plant operations. Skilled professional with proven track record of motivating, engaging and creating a positive team environment.

EXECUTIVE ASSETS

HIGH VOLUME MFG. OPERATIONS

LEAN CELLULAR SIX SIGMA 5S TPS

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

HIGH VOLUME LOGISTICS SHIPPING

PROCESS CONTROL & IMPROVEMENT

QUALITY ASSURANCE BRC G. MILLS

TEAM LEADER CHANGE MANAGEMENT

STAFF LEADERSHIP & TRAINING

HACCP-CERTIFIED SQF LEVEL 3

USDA-EXPERIENCED CGMP COMPLIANT

COMMUNICATION SKILLS BILINGUAL

CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS

JACQUELINE’S GOURMET COOKIES – Salem, MA 2015 – 2016

PLANT MANAGER

Drove Maintenance downtime corrective action plans which included PM Programs, MSOP’s on major machinery, critical spare parts identification, and OEM Technical visits to implement training and offer consistent repair protocols.

Championed time based standards that controlled efficiency gains. Major departure from simple weight analysis as total operational time was captured. Used by finance to measure and report where production showed successes.

Directed the installation and implementation of Focus Works, “Plant Efficiency Reporter” on the processing lines to capture true weight analysis on a batch by batch basis. This allowed for tighter control and identified idiosyncratic recipe variances.

Promoted line leads to supervisors and implemented cross training and succession planning in Mixing department and processing lines. Backups were identified, trained, and utilized to ease rotation and insure consistent leadership.

Developed scheduling department protocol in order to maximize plant efficiency by planning a 3-day lock in plant schedule to facilitate longer runs and minimize operational DT. This allowed for tighter control of finished goods inventory levels.

Initiated OEM engineer visits to partner with both production and maintenance staff on machine methodology, process set up, control and fundamental operational guidelines with HMI alignment for consistent running and reference.

Worked with Logistics manager to complete major addition and expansion of raw material and ingredient storage to eliminate 3rd party storage expense. Major coup for organization. Added 1500 pallet spaces

Lead capital projects which included installation of a pressurized delivery system to speed ingredient deliveries to mixers and construction of a new office mezzanine which housed management for production, maintenance, SQF, inventory control, and conferencing / training. Drove new HVAC and facility air make up systems to stabilize erratic air flow.

Propelled efficiency up 14% and sustained constant up-time by orchestrating OEM technical training for both maintenance and production teams. Improved machine set-up, critical SOP’s, process engineering, and enhanced team development.

SQC / SPC Minitab Statistics was implemented to track performance of certain SKU’s that needed close weight / margin control. This data was tracked and presented in graph form to display hourly ranges that co-drove process control.

MOUNTAIRE FARMS – Lumber Bridge, NC 2010 – 2015

MANAGER OF 2nd SHIFT QUALITY ASSURANCE & OPERATIONS 1st and 2nd PROCESSING

Poultry processing company with retail, food service and institutional clients in 40 countries 6,000 employees spanning 3 states. 2200 employees at this NC facility 3.5 million lbs. /day. 530K daily kill

Revamped quality assurance and NS operations by leading an end-to-end team rebuild via detailed change management. Hired, trained, and developed team from internal ranks and external hires. Led company USDA liaison group and regulatory adherence meetings for corrective actions.

Refocused inspection procedures with newly defined QA metrics to expand CCP’s and control process defects at the source. This reduced total in process rejections by 65%.

Drove cross training in QA to fully develop the capacity and mobility of the QA workforce. This covered all process technicians, HACCP techs, Lab testing, and audit technicians.

Bolstered operations as plant-wide 5S subject matter expert. Strategized 5S solutions, designed departmental programs, trained teams, and presided over cross-functional execution. Revised auditing protocol with in depth QA team training on auditing & inspection. Weekly scoring achieved success and results showed in major foreign material reductions.

Driving operational agility in the dark meat and breast debone departments, operator incentives were added to insure yields were consistent and the quality of work was at optimum levels. Rotation of operators kept line speed maximized.

Initiated daily internal product presentations to bring operators, inspectors, mid & senior level QA & Production management together to review process effectiveness and what customers were receiving in the marketplace. Highly successful program.

JT SLUSSER LLC. – Wilmington and Whispering Pines, NC 2006 – 2011

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS & RESEARCH SERVICES

Executive domestic and international research and consulting group Retained recruiting for special clients.

Bowe Bell & Howell – Retained to recruit 5 highly specialized Senior Commodity Managers for new corporate division.

Viking Range – Retained to locate and recruit a Director of Quality Assurance for prestigious, well known company.

Daikin Global – Retained to recruit 4 Lean Engineering Specialists in the manufacture of large capital industrial HVAC equipment for various locations.

GOT STUFF? – Wilmington, NC 2004 – 2006

VP OF OPERATIONS

Franchise start-up with an eBay drop-off store business model 15 on staff Brick and Mortar options with territorial buy-in.

Launched regional and national rollout plan for franchise territories.

Drove strategic plan and training for “Marketplace Manager” as proprietary software for franchisees.

Developed and authored the Operations Manual / Business Plan / Protocol for prospective franchisees.

CF MARTIN & COMPANY – Nazareth, PA 2001 – 2003

VP OF GLOBAL MANUFACTURING

Selected to fuel next-level performance of global manufacturing at US & Mexican facilities via detailed operational agility with capital investments, labor allocations, material usage, new product introductions, scheduling advancements, and COGS awareness with sub-ordinates.

Drove the design and introduction of the “Little Martin” guitar series and re-tooled Martin Mexico to accommodate capital equipment, redesigned plant layout, personnel training, cellular manufacturing, and full lean procedures. Finished product was an instant success with sales & marketing allowing CF Martin entrance to a previously untapped market.

Championed creation of order management system to balance sales & production coordination. Lead times were reduced by 35% and sales increased by 20%. This was accomplished with an allotment by style / model to be both produced and sold in tandem according to plant capacity.

Launched company-first robotic varnish / spraying / buffing system using Fanuc agility robots with enhanced PLC’s. Bested competitors, upheld quality, carved out $1.2M in material and labor savings with a 2-year ROI payback. Increased efficiency 18%, cut lead times 15%, and saved $500K in varnish and finishing chemicals.

Reduced overtime in US facility by 70% with elimination of Saturday work. We experienced an 30% increase in schedule adherence through the introduction of work flow & time management. Brought, Lean, Cellular, QRM, and JIT elements into play to boost throughput.

Directed revenue increases at Martin Mexico of 120% by increasing strings output and addition of “Little Martin” guitar. Equipment transferred from US and reengineering lean layout drove rigorous, well communicated deliverables.

Early Career Experience

THE HOLMES GROUP – Milford, MA

DIRECTOR OF GLOBAL MFG. OPERATIONS

CONAIR/CUISINART CORPORATION – Cartago, Costa Rica

CORPORATE PLANT MANAGER – OPERATIONS

EDUCATION Candidate for BS in Biology & Chemistry WHEELING JESUIT UNIVERSITY – Wheeling, WV

CERTIFICATIONS HACCP Six Sigma Green Belt Six Sigma Lean Manufacturing B.P.C.S., Oracle, SAP, Navision

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