Manager Six Sigma

JOHN M. GROSS

*** **** **********

Washington, MO 63090

Cell: 636-***-****

abmph8@r.postjobfree.com

QUALIFICATIONS SUMMARY

Operations Executive and Six Sigma Master Blackbelt with over 15 years

experience in domestic and international manufacturing environments

including industrial, automotive and food industries. Recognized as a

visionary leader able to facilitate change that improves the bottom line

while developing and communicating at all levels of the organization.

Experience includes leading multiple sites driving Safety, Delivery,

Quality and Cost improvements utilizing a Hoshin strategy planning process

to continually raise the bar on performance. Also proven expertise in

building teams and empowering leaders in start-up operations as well as

successful implementation of Lean and Six Sigma programs to eliminate waste

and reduce variation.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

WATLOW ELECTRIC - St. Louis, Missouri

2004 to Present

($300 Million custom designer and manufacturer of industrial electric

heaters, sensors, controllers and software with offices and manufacturing

facilities around the world.)

Enterprise COI Manager - World Headquarters (2008-Present)

Responsible for implementing lean strategies into the Corporate Sales and

Marketing function. Provided coaching and facilitation on both lean tools

and cultural implementation.

. Generated over $1 Million in savings through sales transaction

improvements in 2009.

. Developed and deployed Value Stream Mapping Standard Work to

facilitate breakthrough thinking, transformation plans, and goal

achievement by our Value Stream teams.

. Re-energized other functional teams (IT, Supply Chain & Quality) to

pursue lean programs.

Director of Operations - Hannibal, Missouri (2004-2008)

Responsible for the leadership and operation of the Hannibal Tubular Heater

Manufacturing Plant and a startup Heater Plant in Shanghai, China (with

combined annual sales of $55 Million). Led staff of 240 hourly and 160

salaried associates with responsibility for Inside Sales, Customer Service,

Finance, HR, Engineering, Manufacturing and Shipping.

. Improved annual operating profit from 3% to 15% and on-time delivery

metrics by 20%.

. Reduced conversion cost by $1.4 Million in 2007 and $2.1 Million in

2008 through lean manufacturing practices. (Accomplishments were

highlighted in two Industry Week articles.)

. Achieved 20% yearly productivity improvement using Lean Six Sigma

tools.

. Achieved ISO 9001 certification for both the Hannibal and China plants

in 2007.

. Achieved over 1 million man hours without a lost time accident from

2007-2008.

GDX AUTOMOTIVE - Detroit, Michigan

1995 to 2004

($500 Million manufacturer of vehicle sealing systems.)

Six Sigma Master Blackbelt & Manager, Lean Manufacturing (2001-2004)

Traveled extensively implementing "Common Sense Manufacturing" (GDX's Lean

Enterprise program).

. Created the Division's Six Sigma program which established 5 fulltime

Blackbelts and trained 22 Greenbelts. (Program achieved $2.1 million

in first year savings in 2003.)

. Implemented Kanban scheduling in all 5 plants, increasing inventory

turns from 7 to 18 per/year.

JOHN M. GROSS

Page 2

(Professional career continued)

. Gained hands-on implementation experience in Value Stream Analysis,

Cellular Manufacturing, TPM, SMED, and Kanban.

. Successfully implemented Common Sense Manufacturing Program that saved

over $100 Million by reducing labor, scrap, and inventory handling

costs over a three year period.

Extrusion Business Unit Manager - New Haven, Missouri (1999-2001)

Managed the plant's extrusion production operation with a staff of 70

associates (production technicians, facilitators and engineers) with

operations in two separate locations on a 24/5 schedule.

. Restructured production and supervisory team to improve S, Q, D, C

performance.

. Reduced process scrap by 50% and increased productivity by 25% saving

$750k annually.

. Managed the successful expansion of the original 'Greenfield' site to

5x the original size.

Plant Engineer - New Haven, Missouri (1995-1999)

Responsible for facility maintenance, capital projects, and environmental

compliance. Built "Greenfield" plant which created an offsite warehouse

and manufacturing facility.

. Certified as a Six Sigma Blackbelt (certification projects saved

$140K/annually).

. Turned around environmental compliance program which resulted in the

plant receiving the Governor's Award for Environmental Management in

2000.

BORDEN PASTA - St. Louis, Missouri

1991 to 1995

($800 Million Subsidiary of Borden, Inc. acquired by New World Pasta in

2001.)

Manager, Engineering/Maintenance

Responsible for all plant maintenance, engineering and capital projects for

North America's largest pasta plant and 2 satellite warehouses. Managed a

staff of 50 union mechanics and salaried associates on a 24/7 schedule with

an annual operating and capital budget of over $5M.

UNITED STATES AIR FORCE - Wright Patterson and Eglin Air Force Bases

1984 to 1991

Program Manager

Managed research and development projects for the Cruise Missile and

Special Operations Ammunition Programs. Clearances: TS-SCI, Crypto,

CNWDI. Rank: Captain. Awarded Meritorious Service Medal.

EDUCATION

MS Administration, Central Michigan University - Wright Patterson AFB

BS Electrical Engineering, Washington University, St. Louis, MO

CERTIFICATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS

Licensed Professional Engineer in Illinois, Missouri and Ohio

Certified Master Blackbelt (2003)

ASQ Certified Six Sigma Blackbelt (2003)

ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (2000)

Co-Author of 'Kanban Made Simple', AMACON Books

Author of 'Fundamentals of Preventive Maintenance', AMACON Books

Published in ASQ 'Quality Progress' Magazine, IIE 'Solutions' Magazine, AFE

'Facilities Engineering Journal', 'Business, Industry, and Construction'

Magazine, 'Advanced Manufacturing' Magazine (Canada), and 'Manufacturing

Monthly' Magazine (Australia)

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