J. Rhett Cathcart

§ 828-***-**** (c); 828-***-**** (home); acwdif@r.postjobfree.com;

§ 177 Majestic View Ct, Hendersonville, NC 28791

SUMMARY

A seasoned manufacturing professional with solid operations experience in production, quality, MFG engineering, safety, and lean MFG. Reinforced with an MBA, have broad experience with leading cross-functional teams to sustainable operational excellence at multiple MFG locations. A results oriented manager leveraging strong communication, leadership, interpersonal, PC, and management skills. EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL

MBA, Montreat College, Montreat, NC (Earned while employed full time.) BS ChE, Clemson University, Clemson, SC

Professional Accreditations: CQE Certified as a Quality Engineer (2003) PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE

SR Operations MGR Fletcher, NC 2013 – 2016

Served as a senior staff manager responsible for all aspects of machining, plating, and assembly production for Continental’s flagship North American brake plant. Continental’s Henderson facility employs over 700 associates, operates a 24/7 schedule, and ships over 30K calipers a day. Customer base includes Honda, Subaru, Ford, VW, and many other automotive OEMs.

§ Responsibilities included leading area managers, coaching supervisors, facilitating cross-functional operational improvement initiatives, managing day-to-day production requirements, ensuring workforce safety, ensuring production quality, and managing MFG cost.

§ Key accomplishments include successful implementation of PSM (Process Safety Management) at the facility and flawless launch of the Honda Civic EPB caliper. SLPT GLOBAL PUMP GROUP

Director, Operations Sallisaw, OK 2008 – 2013

Served as a senior staff manager responsible for all aspects of production and facilities management including maintenance. Customer base included OEMs Ford and BMW, and several other key Tier 1 Automotive suppliers.

Successes included:

§ Leveraged Oklahoma MFG Alliance to drive a plant-turn around

§ Driving safety results to Zero lost time accidents

§ Development of flex manufacturing teams to maximize direct workforce during economic downturn

§ Driving 100% on time PM performance

§ Driving 100% OTD to Customer performance

§ Facilitated Zero PPM Plant Quality Initiative

§ Established GM QSB (quality system basic) tools such as Fast Response, Error Proofing, and Layered Audits

§ Chaired and facilitated Plant MFG Strategy Council which sets MFG direction for year including benchmarking and lean initiatives across 2 continents. BORG WARNER AUTOMOTIVE

Business Unit MGR Fletcher, NC 2003 - 2007

Responsible for product line management over Fletcher automotive and commercial fan business. Toward the end of tenure, served over the Fletcher Commercial Fan and Drive Business as the business unit manager with P&L responsibility. Achievements include driving cost down, launching products, and assessing profitability of new and existing products with our sales and product engineering teams. Key successes included:

§ Driving fan business from a 0.5% net income business to over 7% o Responsible for monthly business unit P&L

o Developed a fan profitability database which tracked profitability of individual fan part numbers o Drove cross-functional cost reduction projects resulting over $1M of savings

§ Driving customer on-time delivery from 70 to 100%.

§ Chaired Global Plastic Council for BorgWarner Thermal Division tying in multiple plants around the world meeting the objectives of sharing best injection molding practices and facilitation of lean events.

§ Chaired Fletcher plant United Way fundraising activities in 2006. Despite downturn in employment, committee accomplished a record setting fundraising year.

§ Chosen for implementation team for SAP business and quality system deployment in the facility. Quality Systems Engineer, Fletcher, NC 2000 – 2003 Responsible for oversight of plant quality system including internal audit program and corrective action system. Facilitated plant internal cross-functional problem solving teams. Key successes included:

§ Launched TS16949 quality registration at the facility… one of the first US automotive facilities to be registered by UL

§ Launched BorgWarner safety management system for the facility.

§ Key resource for successful launch of site ISO14000 environmental registration. Early MFG Experience 1993-2000

Valenite, Inc., Seneca, SC

§ Plant Superintendent – served as plant leader responsible for daily operations including direction of workforce, staffing, and facilitation of plant safety initiatives

§ Quality Systems Engineer –served as ISO9000 quality system coordinator for 6 MFG locations.

§ Process Engineer – served as coating engineer over MFG line providing daily production, quality, and continuous improvement support.

OTHER NOTABLES

General. Married; active in leadership in local church; excellent health; enjoy hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities.

Big Brother. Actively participated in the Big Brother / Big Sister program in Henderson County, NC. Little Brother helped coordinate church activities including hiking trips for youth.

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