Manager Plant
Resume:
DON G. FICKEL
Scottsdale, Arizona 85255
480-***-**** *********@***.***
SUMMARY
Plant Manager with proven success leading production teams to meet aggressive
manufacturing goals in a high volume facility. Skilled at leading teams of entry level
employees combined with highly trained engineers or technical employees in problem solving
efforts. Able to effectively communicate and address concerns of hourly work force with the
goals and needs of top management. Intuitively analytical leader known for personal credibility,
integrity and effective communication. Demonstrated proficiencies include:
• High Speed Assembly • Problem Solving
• Lean Manufacturing & • Self Directed Work Teams
Six
Sigma
• Safety Leadership • Leadership Assessment &
Coaching
• Cost • Plant Layout
Containment &
Reduction
• Budget Development • Skill Based Pay Initiatives
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
MEADWESTVACO CALMAR, Grandview, Missouri 1980 – 2010
World leader in the manufacture of dispensers, sprayers and pumps for the healthcare,
cosmetic, auto, home and garden, and personal care industries.
Plant Manager (1996 – 2010)
Responsible for all manufacturing operations in a 500,000 square foot facility with over 450
employees working a 3 shift/7 day a week schedule. Production department included 57
injection molding machines and 25 sub and final assembly lines.
• Helped lead efforts in the successful startup of a new plant in Grandview, Missouri which
reduced labor cost by over $1,000,000.
• Instrumental in the development of a predictive maintenance program which reduced down
time by 20% on Calmar’s largest volume product line.
• For the past 5 years have submitted and implemented cost saving programs in excess of
$100,000 annually. These included operational, labor reduction and machine improvement
ideas.
• Leadership responsibility for the plant safety committee which helped reduce the accident
rate and workman compensation claims by over 60%.
• Involved in the introduction of AGV’s in the manufacturing department which reduced labor
cost by over $500,000.
• Developed and implemented self directed work teams within the manufacturing department
which increased productivity numbers by 15% to 35%.
DON G. FICKEL PAGE 2
Assembly Operations Manager (1985 – 1996)
Managed a production department consisting of over 200 employees including 4 salaried
assembly supervisors, 11 hourly team leaders and 6 maintenance lead persons. Accountable
for all Assembly activities including scheduling, manning, training, quality, line efficiencies,
problem solving and cost improvements.
• Developed and maintained SPC program in the manufacturing department which reduced
major AQL’s from .42% to .15% or less for all product lines.
• Leader in the efforts which successfully certified Calmar as an ISO 9001 facility.
• Completely responsible for the layout of equipment in the Assembly Department
which reduced material handling cost and delayed the need for a plant expansion.
• Involved in a corporate lean manufacturing program which reduced product lead
times from over 8 weeks to 3 weeks.
• Introduced skill based pay initiatives for the manufacturing, maintenance and
machine building groups.
• Instrumental in the set-up and organization of the Employee Disciplinary
Committee. This committee of hourly employees helped maintain a non-union plant and
improved management / hourly relationships.
Quality Control Supervisor (1982 – 1985)
Supervised a shift of 12 injection molding and assembly quality control inspectors.
Assembly Supervisor (1980 – 1982)
Supervised a shift of approximately 35 assemblers which included 3 hourly team leaders.
EDUCATION
Master of Science, Industrial Management
Central Missouri State University (1996)
Bachelor of Science, Operations Management
University of Missouri – Columbia (1980)
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Corporate Training in Six Sigma problem solving
Training in 5S procedures and events
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
American Management Association
American Society for Quality (ASQ)
Academic Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi
Contact this candidate