Customer Service Manager

JAMES D. MCCURN

*** ******* ***** ● Midway, KY **347

*****.******@*****.*** ● 816-***-****

Dynamic, results focused Leader with proven abilities to consistently deliver results in cost, system, performance,

safety, customer service & quality. Talent for proactively identifying and resolving problems utilizing CI based

systems. Passionate about providing solid leadership to motivate, develop, focus and drive individuals as well as

teams to common objectives. Team based management style & excellent interpersonal /communication skills.

CORE COMPETENCIES

●Operations Management ●Turn around Management Strategy ●Change Management

●Strategic Planning ●GMP Guidelines & Procedures ●Lean Manufacturing

●P&L Accountability ●Process Simplification & Redesign ●Cost Controls Strategies

●Respected & Visionary Leader ●Safety Standards/Compliance ●Mentoring & Coaching

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

PLANT MANAGER Graham Packaging 2/2006 – 7/2013

Lexington, KY 7/12 – 7/13, Minster, OH 7/09 – 7/12, York, PA 6/07 – 7/09, Kansas City, MO 2/06 – 6/07

Within seven years established a proven track record of leading four distinct blow molding manufacturing plants,

three of which were problematic operations. Successfully improved key performance indicators in all locations

though decisive leadership, clear vision and effective communications. Key performance improvements included:

Significant increases in line utilization ● Reduction on cycle time’s ● Quality performance improvements

Established and implemented cost control mechanisms ● Implemented safety practices which reduced accidents

Reduced unscheduled downtime ● Improved bottom line performance ● Increased plant throughput

A key part of each plants successful turn around included selecting and developing a strong, cohesive leadership

team. This was accomplished by providing coaching and guided development of team members in all roles,

ranging from scheduling, raw material ordering and manufacturing to warehouse, distribution and management

leadership. Among union and non union plants, managed up to 20 exempt associates and led an operation with up

to 350 non exempt associates. Also critical to the success was establishing a rapport and working relationship

with customers, as well as interfacing with them on a regular basis. Customers included P&G, Clorox, DANONE,

Church & Dwight and JM Smuckers.

While leading the Minster, OH plant, took on a secondary role as a Continuous Improvement Trainer for the

division. Studied under the Milliken Performance System and used this knowledge to identify needed

improvements, create tailored programs and provide training for each targeted plant.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

Increased production output up to 35% through implementation of standard work

Established regimented PM programs into daily plant discipline with 90 100% completion rates

Successfully defeated a union drive & implemented plans to ensure plant remained union free

Reduced IRR up to 60% through newly implemented safety programs and EE reward & recognition systems

Increased EBIDA contributions on average by 25%

Successfully installed four production lines & 47 qualifications of molds/tooling in parallel to plant recovery

JAMES D. MCCURN ● page 2

DEPARTMENT MANAGER General Mills, Inc 01/1998 – 02/2006

One of the world’s largest food manufacturing companies with annual sales of $17.8 billion

Merged management of two departments and achieved turn around year in system and cost performance.

Led “NASCAR Changeover” effort which reduced change over time by 23% in five months.

Drove capital improvements to enhance flexibility which lowered finished goods inventory by 35%.

Delivered cost savings, scrap rework & performance initiatives to bring $25MM budget in under target

Managed installation and start up of three major packaging lines. Projects were executed on time & under

budget.

Transitioned the mix department into a self directed work system. Developed plan, generated buy in and

support, negotiated with union and drove to implementation. This led to increased system performance by 7%.

PRODUCTION MANAGER Peacock Engineering 11/1996 –

10/1997

Packaging and food processing contract manufacturer

Radically changed the way this contract packaging facility conducted operations by implementing standard work

processes. These changes increased this facilities throughput by 90% with very little capital investment.

Designed and implemented procedures to efficiently store, locate, track and assemble components. This process

significantly increased customer service performance and production rates.

Provided leadership to reduce accidents by 50% and finished product quality complaints by 38%.

AREA MANAGER Gould Packaging, Inc. 07/1995 – 11/1996

Manufacturer of mailing industry supplies and secondary packaging

In the first three months of establishing two brown field operations, planned, coordinated and installed

equipment & supporting systems on time and under budget. Executed on time start up/ramp up of full

production / distribution to exceed customer service. Operation surpassed cost savings initiatives in the first six

months.

Developed and executed plans to open a second location to facilitate additional cost savings & volume increase.

SUPERVISOR / RESEARCH TECHNICIAN The NutraSweet Co. 11/1989 – 07/1995

Manufacturer and developer of sweeteners and secondary applications

Successful process of scale up of numerous dairy products, primarily cheeses, ice creams, yogurts & Simplesse.

Supervised a cross functional Pilot Plant team to re invent the schedule process. Reduced pilot trial lead times

by 50% which yielded greater flexibility to meet the demands of the business.

Developed a process to increase communication, clarify expectations and outcomes of pilot trials. This format

enhanced the effectiveness and data collection process from pilot trials, which shortened the scale up time lines.

EDUCATION

MASTERS OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (MBA) 06/2003

Keller Graduate School of Management Kansas City, MO

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE (BS in Biology) 06/1989

Northeastern Illinois University – Chicago, IL

MILITARY

STAFF SERGEANT – AIRBORNE RADIO OPERATOR / LOADMASTER 12/1980 – 05/1990

United States Marine Corps

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