Customer Service Manager

NICHOLAS K. CRAY

**** ******** **. *******, ** 53717

Cell: 847-***-****

Email: *********@*****.***

Residence: 608-***-****

SENIOR OPERATIONS LEADERSHIP

General Manager with extensive experience in manufacturing and operations

management having P&L responsibility. Outstanding achiever using continuous

improvement and lean manufacturing principles to establish a track record

of profitability improvements and success. Skilled leader and effective

communicator adept at fostering teamwork and implementing change, having

proven capabilities of:

Lean Manufacturing Implementation Management Teambuilding

Manufacturing Operations Management Six Sigma Implementation

Continuous Process Improvement International Business Fulfillment

Budgeting and Capital Expenditures Outstanding Customer Service

Profitability / Productivity Labor-Management Relationship Building

Improvement

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

HANDY INDUSTRIES, LLC Marshalltown, IA

2008 - Present

($10M manufacturer & distributor of professional shop products for the

power sports industry)

President/CEO

Reporting to the BOD and having full P&L responsibility for a $10M / 50

employee company, directing sales, operations, financial and administrative

functions. Actively leading a turnaround of all business aspects to restore

profitability at reduced revenue levels, and implement a strategic plan to

grow revenue at higher profitability levels.

RATHGIBSON Co. Janesville, WI

2004 - 2008

($350M International manufacturer of stainless and nickel alloy welded and

seamless steel tubing)

Vice President & General Manager

Reporting to the President / CEO and having P&L responsibility for a $200M

/ 150 employee business unit, directed manufacturing, purchasing, inventory

control, materials management, quality control, shipping, warehousing,

distribution, budgeting and capital expenditures. Developed a culture of

continuous improvement that yielded significant increases in profitability,

productivity, service and quality.

. Delivered $3 million of annualized margin improvements from process

improvements, cost reductions and material utilization improvement

projects in each of the last 3 years.

. Implemented lean manufacturing strategies (e.g. Value Stream Mapping,

Demand Flow, KanBan and Visual Management) as part of driving

productivity, quality and service improvements.

. Provided crisis management support to a second plant site during

management transition, attaining significant improvements in service

levels and employee involvement.

. Satisfied the needs of stable domestic demand while ramping up and

servicing international markets experiencing 30% year-over-year growth

representing 25% of total revenues.

. Developed constructive and cooperative employee relations committee to

address conflicts and policy implementations.

. Achieved significant inventory reductions and increased turns from 6 to

12 on $22M of raw material utilizing custom-developed planning and

ordering tools with major suppliers.

. Introduced new manufacturing technology that achieved 250% productivity

increase.

R.S. OWENS & CO., INC. Chicago, IL

2002 - 2004

($20M industry leader in development and manufacturing of high profile

award and promotional products, including the Oscar and Emmy awards)

Vice President of Manufacturing

Reporting to the President and Owner, led the efforts to modernize

inadequate manufacturing practices and processes to achieve improvements in

quality, customer service, and introduction of new products. Directed the

efforts of production, quality, purchasing, inventory control, engineering,

warehousing and distribution.

. Modernized manufacturing practices with introduction of new processes and

equipment.

. Improved Service Levels from 85% to 95+% while introducing new products

and processes.

. Increased inventory turns and reduced levels of slow moving products

. Managed the introduction of numerous new products and processes needed to

support sales growth.

. Negotiated a collective bargaining agreement with the Teamsters union,

maintaining positive relations and preventing work stoppage

WERNER CO., Franklin Park, IL

1992 - 2001

(World's largest manufacturer of ladders, scaffolds, and climbing

equipment)

Director of Technology - Reinforced Plastics, 2000 - July 2001

Reporting to the COO, directed the efforts of key material scientists,

engineers, and technicians in R&D, productivity improvements and cost

reduction activities. Developed the next generation structural composite

material for future products.

. Led cross-functional team in development of thermoplastic composite

process and material, achieving prototype levels and validating concepts

prior to funding cessation.

General Manager, Franklin Park, IL, 1998 - 2000

Reporting to the COO, managed a $200M multi-business unit manufacturing and

distribution operation. Led a manufacturing workforce of 650 hourly and 125

staff associates, materials management, shipping, distribution, controller,

human resources, IT, quality, EHS, and maintenance.

. Initiated and implemented a continuous improvement process that achieved

over $3 Million of annual savings over the first two years.

. Achieved operational stability by reducing staff turnover from 18% to 8%

and plant turnover from 24% to 14%.

. Led quality efforts to successfully retain ISO/QS 9000 certification.

. Managed an annual $40 million operational budget and a $3 million capital

improvement budget.

. Accomplished the highest corporate-wide safety record with injury and

incident rates well below industry averages.

. Achieved highest productivity operating division while reducing

conversion costs 8-10% annually.

. Initiated Six Sigma program training and implementation to support

material and labor utilization efforts.

EDUCATION

MBA, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 1997

Masters of Mechanical Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology,

Chicago, IL 1988

Bachelor of Science Mechanical Engineering, Illinois Institute of

Technology, Chicago, IL 1980

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