Richard S. Merk

***** ** ***** *****, ***********, WA 98072

SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT

Proven abilities in formulating and guiding significant improvements in diverse, extreme growth, fast moving, high volume environments within publicly traded, international corporations, achieving organizational goals and corporate objectives. Global expertise applicable to a wide range of products and applications. Demonstrated ability to quickly identify strengths and weaknesses building cohesive and productive teams and spearhead operational improvements that optimize productivity and raise profitability. Problem solver, comfortable in managing environments through rapidly changing conditions. Persuasive negotiator and communicator, effective in representing organizations to all public levels.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Supply Chain Management • Multiple Site Management

• Outsource Management • Product Management & Rollout

• Strategic Planning • Revitalization & Organizational Development

• Business Development • Infrastructure Development

• Profit/Loss • Manufacturing

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

UPSWING GOLF, WOODINVILLE, WA. 2005 - Present

Principal

 Created a unique national marketing approach to drive “direct to consumer” golf club sales through fundraising golf tournaments.

 Generated sales of over $1million in second year

 Developed a prodcut line that competes with top brands on performance but not the price.

ENTERBRANDS (PORSCHE DESIGN SUBSIDIARY), CARLSBAD, CA 2004 - 2005

Consultant

Overall responsibilities included: Consulting services providing evaluation, analysis and recommendation to corporate wide functions.

 Assist in the creation and execution of the company business plan.

 Research, develop and recommend start-up sales, marketing and distribution plan.

 Assess, recommend and develop potential service(s) and strategic partners.

PLAY BIG ENTERPRISES, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 2003 – 2004

Executive Vice President – Chief Operating Officer

Overall responsibilities included: P & L, sales & marketing, Operations, strategic planning, information systems, manufacturing, supply chain, product management, product development, quality & testing, distribution.

 Start-up situation. Developed marketing plan, distribution efforts and call center operations. Successfully increased sales volume & revenue by double-digit percentages.

 Developed operational partners and reorganized company to streamline operations and maximize operational efficiencies.

 Initiated a 2-year business plan, established sales and marketing strategy to move to retail sales business model from current “direct to consumer” effort. Created a unique grassroots-marketing plan, driving millions of golfers to selected partner retailers.

MCS CONSULTING SERVICES, Vista, CA 2002

Principal

Overall responsibilities included: Consulting services providing evaluation, analysis and recommendation to corporate wide functions.

 Review, analyze and recommended improvements and method modifications to inline manufacturing activities, customization processes, quality assurance, demand planning, and production scheduling.

 Projected double-digit percentage productivity improvements, increase in daily unit volumes and operating cost reductions by millions of dollars.

CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY, Carlsbad, CA 1993 – 2000

Senior Vice President of Manufacturing Operations, Senior Vice President Operations & Planning, Product “X” Development Manager (Development of Big Bertha Iron), Consultant

Overall responsibilities included: Supply chain management, distribution, product management and development, manufacturing, quality & testing, engineering, operations & strategic planning, information systems, environmental safety, facilities, office services, security, travel & events. A member of the CEO’s advisory council and appointed to the Executive Level Review Board by the Board of Directors, providing guidance to a successful revitalization plan.

 Implemented Material Requirements Planning (MRP) and initiated aggressive inventory reduction plan. Initiated worldwide sourcing plan. Introduced Advanced Planning & Scheduling (APS) methodology. Developed distribution center, utilizing Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), Radio Frequency (RF) state-of-the-art replenishment systems. Developed a capacity flow management system, set groundwork for Distribution Resource Planning (DRP), processing 6+ million units per year (5x24). Administered annual purchasing budget of $250 million.

 Managed company efforts to move a stagnating product development project from concept to market, resulting in one of the largest and most successful introductions in industry history. Accountable for identification, tracking and corporate wide communication of critical issues including, internal and external concurrent engineering activities, quality and performance testing, manufacturing and supplier readiness. Orchestrated changes to departmental structures and methods, providing ability to rapid design, develop and prepare new products for market. Managed executive product group, which defined corporate product life cycle strategies and steered product development activities.

 Directed efforts of multiple manufacturing plant revitalization and established a world-class manufacturing environment. Implemented transition to lean manufacturing and introduced company’s first cell assembly, reduced operating space requirements and set groundwork for increased flexibility in seasonal manufacturing demands. Increased manufacturing performance by double-digit percentages, processing 6+ million units per year (5x24). Reduced “custom order” lead-times by 75%. Administered an annual operating budget of $400+ million.

 Managed corporate infrastructure while realizing personnel growth of 300 to ~2500 in a 4-year period. Acquired contiguous properties accommodating a growth rate of 150,000 sq. ft. to approximately 1,000,000 square sq. ft. in 9 locations. Developed strategic growth/redevelopment master plan and managed all public representation and communication.

 Initiated driving force behind operating system review, successfully presented executive management with a strategic business plan to restructure department and provided executive level guidance in start-up issues involving the approved new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) operating system.

 Developed a Disaster Recovery & Business Resumption plan and oversight committee, establishing emergency operating procedures, executive duty officer and redundant critical operating equipment and systems. Contingency operating procedures were successfully implemented on several occasions.

TAYLOR MADE GOLF, Carlsbad, CA 1986 – 1993

Logistics & Industrial Administration Manager, Global Logistics Manager, Plant Manager, Purchasing/Materials Manager

Overall responsibilities included: Supply chain management, materials and distribution, product management, manufacturing, planning and global logistics. A member of the senior management council.

 Created a Global Logistics department, established global inventory guidelines and analyzed worldwide forecasts. Determined and recommended corrective actions to counter extreme worldwide inventory imbalances and over-stock risks. Redistributed inventories world wide as deemed appropriate.

 Developed internal processes and managed manufacturing production & procurement planning throughout rapid corporate growth of $15 - +$100 million in a 3 year period. Nurtured communications between sales, manufacturing and suppliers resulting in increased procurement and distribution performances. Created and managed a computerized materials management system and authored the corporate purchasing policy. Formulated a replacement part numbering system and total revamp of “bill of material” structure. Administered annual purchasing budget of $+30 million.

 Reduced product development timeline from +1 year to less than 9 months, maximizing concurrent engineering efforts and collaborated with suppliers.

WORLD CLASS PRODUCTS, Albany, OR 1979 – 1986

Vice President Operations, Plant Manager, Purchasing/Materials Manager

Overall responsibilities included: Supply chain management, materials and distribution, manufacturing, P & L, sales & marketing, customer service, order entry, and planning.

 Developed a production and inventory control department, introduced kanban, created perpetual inventory system eliminating the need of annual physicals. Responsible for time & motion studies, establishing groundwork for performance measurements and process improvements. Introduced a production performance bonus system and increased employee efficiencies by double-digit percentages.

 Managed Maquilidora processing facility in Mexicali, Mexico, employing 100+ people.

 Directed company relocation to Oregon, closing down the California facility employing 100+ personnel. Hired and trained new production staff and quickly normalized operations.

TRANS UNION CREDIT, FULLERTON, CA Consumer Fraud Manager 1978 – 1979

BULLOCKS DEPARTMENT STORE, LAKEWOOD, CA Assistant Merchandise Handling Manage 1973 – 1978

EDUCATION & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Bachelor of Arts – Marketing (Emphasis in MRP), California State University at Fullerton, Fullerton, CA

AED - CPR - Community First Aid Instructor; Red Cross Blood Service Drive Volunteer; Fundraising events and volunteer for Church and Parish School

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