Joseph Balest, PHR

objective

Senior level position with an emergent organization and add value through utilizing

my combined experience in Human Resources, Operations, Manufacturing Management, and

Continual Improvement.

CAREER SNAPSHOT

Sr. Group HR Business Partner

Plant Human Resources Manager

Operations Manager

Continuous Improvement Manager

AWArds/Certifications

*Professional Human Resources (PHR)

*Continuous Improvement Greenbelt: Standard Operations

*Continuous Improvement Greenbelt: Value Stream Mapping

*Continuous Improvement Greenbelt: Setup Reduction

*Operational Excellence Certification

*FY08 Kennametal KVBS Lean Project Award Winner-1st Quarter.

*2008 Steel Manufacturers Community Involvement Award

*Dale Carnegie Graduate

Experience

V&M STAR INC, YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO AUGUST 2008 - JULY 2010

Sr. Human Resources Business Partner-Youngstown Group/North American Relocation

Manager

Plant and group responsibility in support of annual sales of 1.1 Billion 500

employees and a multi-facility compound with 930,608SQ under roof. Designs, plans,

and implements group human resources programs and policies, including staffing,

compensation, benefits, visa/green card processing, employee relations, training,

relocation and health and safety programs. Ensures compliance with all federal/state

employment regulations and statutes. North American Relocation Manager: Responsible

for employee relocation throughout V&M North America to include 20 facilities, 2500

employees and revenue over 2.5Billion.

Deliverables:

*Led and executed strategic 2009 Workforce Adaptation Plan.

*Develop and implemented hourly variable compensation system.

*Partnered to develop new plant start-up staffing plan

*Partnered with Kent State University to receive educational Grant

*Led Vallourec Employee Stock Program

*Partnered with MYCAP to receive 2.7M tax abatement.

*Developed and implemented employee scholarship program.

*Led Youngstown State/V&M STAR partnership program.

*Led Value Stream Mapping of NA relocation process.

*Developed satelitte Human Resource program

Kennametal Inc., 1993 - 2008

December 2007-August 2008, Kennametal, Orwell, Ohio

Operations Manager, Precision Grinding

Shipment plans in excess of $150M annually. Fixed assets with book value in excess

of $5.2M including 65 machines. Capital Spending budget in excess of 6M in FY08.

Prepare and manage a one year operating budget including capital investments and

inventory control plans that support the following: a) production plan for carbide

and ceramic inserts provided by Division level Production and Inventory Control; b)

Plant, Division and Corporate strategy; c) Local, State and Federal policies and

laws. Establish, maintain and communicate plant, environmental health and safety,

production, manpower, quality, expenditures, Lean strategies and continuous

improvement initiatives that become the basis for all Focus Factory level

objectives. Identify and monitor performance indicators that measure how well the

Focus Factory level objectives are supporting the basic strategies. Initiate

corrective programs as required.

Deliverables:

*10% productivity increase in first 3 months.

*Exceeded monthly production requirements March and April 2008: First production

improvement in back-to-back months over a 14-month period.

*Lead Continuous Improvement 5S + 1 drive: First area to receive an audit score over

100.

*Reduced supply spending by 30%.

*Developed Precision Grinding Training Program.

*Developed Operator Training Manual

*Tooling U. Project Manager

April 2007-December 2007, Kennametal Abrasive Flow Products, Traverse City, MI

Human Resources Manager/ Manufacturing Manager

Manage daily and annual (25 Million annual sales) plant operations with respect to

goals for service, quality, and costs. Set up standards of performance, measure

progress, control workflow, analyze delays or serious problems and take remedial

action. Develop and maintain a competent staff of (65 Direct reports) team

leaders/supervisors. Foster an environment and working relationships that contribute

to and encourage development of technical ability and continual improvement of

process. Apply Manage work force diversity with sensitivity and appreciation for

differences among employees with the goal of providing opportunities for all

employees to work to their potential. Manage and apply the operating budget to meet

goals. Provide assistance to the engineering team to achieve technical

accomplishment within planned costs and schedules. Establish and maintain positive

customer relations by meeting schedule and performance requirements and maintaining

open communications. Provide assistance as requested for special projects. Monitor

operating performance by reviewing production reports, visual cell metrics, closed

order files, variance, scrap, and inventory, on-time delivery data, lead time and

any other Key Performance Indicators (KPI) to identify opportunities for

improvement.

Deliverables:

*Increased EBIT 9% from Q3 to Q4.

*Reduced lead-time from 2.1days to 0.6 days for standard products.

*Improved Custom Solutions On-Time Delivery from 69% in April 2007 to 94% in

September.

*Facility record for productivity in June 07.

*Increased production efficiency in all departments an average of 10% from Q3 to Q4.

*Reduce EDM product defects by 10%.

*Drafted and implemented Attendance Policy Handbook.

*Implemented a material identification system.

*Co-sponsor of facility food drive for local charity.

*Facility United Way pledge drive sponsor for three consecutive years.

September 2006-March 2007, Kennametal Abrasive Flow Products, Traverse City, MI

Human Resources Manager /Production Supervisor Off shifts/KVBS Lean Enterprise

Coordinator

The Production Supervisor responsibilities were added to the KVBS Lean Enterprise

Coordinator/Human Resources Manager position responsibilities.

Production Supervisor

To oversee the off shift operations of the Kennametal Traverse City Manufacturing

Production processes. Ensures that production schedules are maintained and costs

controlled within budgetary parameters. Position is responsible for KVBS training

and continuous improvement initiatives focusing on, focusing on facility KPI's and

25 Keys as well as adherence to all Environmental Health and Safety issues. This

position is also responsible for product expediting to ensure on time delivery.

October 2005- September 2006, Kennametal Abrasive Flow Products, Traverse City, MI

Human Resources Manager/KVBS Lean Enterprise Coordinator

Charged with the responsibility for Plant Human Resources to include two

manufacturing facilities. Including strategic management, workforce planning, human

resource development, compensation and benefits, employee relations, payroll and

change management etc. Direct responsibility Continuous Improvement initiatives

leading large-scale continuous improvement and manufacturing projects utilizing

standard continuous improvement training tools and best manufacturing practices.

Most projects have value of $200K or greater in business scale effect. Leading and

coordinating products associated with new process installations or major operational

improvements including project planning and definition. Direct responsibility for

expediting production orders to improve OTD. Responsible for Precision Grinding

Department from April 06 - July 06.

Deliverables:

*Improved customer OTD from 60% to 98%.

*Project Champion for Kennametal Value Business System Lean Project Award winner.

*Realized FY06 Lean project savings objective first three months in new position.

FY06 Savings to date of $963,000 hard & soft combined.

*Designer, editor, and publisher of the Traverse City Lean News; a group level Lean

manufacturing publication.

*Selected to represent the Engineered Products Group in the design and development

of Kennametal's Art of Lean program.

*Selected to represent the Engineered Products Group in the Lean Reporting Standard

Operations Project.

*Sponsored and authored Engineered Products Group FY06 safety initiatives; Foot

Protection and Proper Work Attire.

*Facility Environmental Health and Safety support.

*Increase Finish Grind Department productivity and efficiency by 20%.

July 2003-October 2005, Boride Products/Kennametal, Traverse City, MI

Plant Human Resources Manager

Charged with all aspects of Human Resources for two manufacturing facilities to

include strategic management, workforce planning, human resource development,

compensation and benefits, employee relations, payroll and change management etc.

Charged with all aspects of Environmental Health and Safety to include: occupational

illness prevention programs, EHS policies and procedures, and Kennametal's EHS

Pathways program. Coordinate and, at times, conduct management training in

interviewing, hiring, terminations, promotions, performance review, diversity,

leadership, and harassment. Identify legal requirements and government reporting

regulations affecting HR functions and ensure policies, procedures, and reporting

are in compliance. Oversee all immigration and visa matters. Advise management in

appropriate resolution of employee relations' issues. Administer performance review

program to ensure effectiveness, compliance, and equity within the organization.

Lead Continuous Improvement initiatives including project facilitation and training

and sustainment.

*First Kennametal facility to develop a Human Resources program where employees

access all Human Resource Policies and Programs at CASCO Ice Stations via the

intranet.

*CETEC project leader, a manufacturing time and attendance information system. The

CETEC project was completed on schedule without delay.

*Security System project leader: developed and implemented new security policy.

*Pathways (Corporate EHS program) project leader, completed on time as realized FY05

goals and objectives in FY04.

*Partnered with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth to provide cost

free health & safety training.

*350,00+ hours without a lost-time accident; Manpower Safety Partner Award

*SAP/Manufacturing (MRP) Project Leader.

*Corporate SAP/HR Training Project team member.

*Supported manufacturing operations in Arnhem, Holland facility.

*Facilitated management-training programs to include: Communication, Problem Solving

& Decision Making, Motivation, and Counseling to Improve Employee Performance.

*Participated or facilitated 5 Lean Projects to include, standard work processes,

value stream mapping and total productive maintenance.

*Negotiated vendor agreements with annual savings of $23,000.

*Implemented Individual Development Plans for KMT-TC managers.

*Developed key manufacturing positions to increase productivity and increase the

flow of information.

*Developed cross-training program to increase efficiency and lower overtime in all

manufacturing areas: increased efficiency by 89% in first month.

*Implemented new staffing and training program to reduce hiring costs and position

requirements.

*ISO-9001: 2000 implementation and member of Quality Management System Management

review team.

*Zero Workers Compensation claims during tenure with Kennametal-Traverse City.

Successfully defended a carpal tunnel claim.

*Created weekend crew and overtime policy to maintain 24/7 operation and reduce

overtime.

*Developed training programs on Compact Discs with voice overlays to ensure

efficient and effective training.

*Implemented a performance planning management program for all positions.

October 2002 - July 2003 Carbidie Inc./Kennametal Irwin, PA

Human Resource Representative

Coached and counseled managers, supervisors and employees with respect to

administration and interpretation of Corporate and Locale HR policies, procedures

and programs. Manages, counsels and audits managers and supervisors on performance

management issues and the Performance Review Process. Makes recommendations and

counsel's employees, supervisors and managers regarding leaves of absence,

terminations, layoffs, recalls, promotions and transfers. Executes all Human

Resource functions.

OCT 1993- OCT 2002 CARBIDIE INC./KENNAMETAL IRWIN, PA.

Powder Processor, Powder Processor Shift Supervisor.

*2001 Governors Award for Labor-Management Cooperation

*Labor-Management Committee member.

*Represented employees in Alternative Dispute Resolution, arbitration experience.

*Negotiated Collective Bargaining Agreement, conditions of employment, and employee

severance agreements.

*Counseled and represented employees at all levels of grievance process.

*Developed reduced work schedule to fit business needs.

*Negotiation Committee, Inventory Crew, Attendance Committee, Workers Compensation

Committee, Grievance Committee.

Education/Awards

*Seton Hill University Greensburg, PA B.S., Human Resource Management

*G.P.A.: 3.80, Magna Cum Laude

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