MARK A. BLACKBURN

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

Fairview Heights, Illinois 62208-5415

Home: 618-***-**** • Mobile: 618-***-****

Email: abnlr9@r.postjobfree.com

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

Senior Operations Professional with broad experience in the chemical/plastics industry including

facilities management, cost management, project management, engineering, maintenance,

logistics, supply chain, human resource, labor relations, contract negotiations and ESH.

Particularly effective developing team collaboration contributory to organizational objectives by

employing strong technical, leadership, facilitation and interpersonal skills.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

SOLUTIA INC - ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI 1997-2009

Plant Manager / Plastic Products (2004-2009)

Managed all aspects of the plant operations including manufacturing, supply chain, purchasing,

engineering, safety, maintenance, budgeting and HR with particular focus on achieving budget

commitments and reducing fixed cost.

• Revised, edited and amended the plant policies and procedures. Published these policies

and procedures electronically on the local web page for employee access.

• Initiated and implemented a policy change regarding short term illness that virtually

eliminated absenteeism and thus the need to track and administer discipline.

• Implemented the use of an Access Data Base for vacation tracking and scheduling which

is maintained on the local web page for employee viewing and planning purposes.

• Administered the overtime system including tracking and payroll.

• Developed the annual manufacturing/engineering/maintenance budget including

compensation adjustments for both exempt and non-exempt employees.

• Utilizing “Success Factors” established annual goals and conducted performance

reviews

with all salaried exempt employees.

• Provided employee benefit information, assistance and claims resolution in coordination

with corporate HR and Blue Cross Blue Shield.

• Administered the Substance Abuse Policy which included monthly random testing in

coordination with Quest Diagnostics Inc.

• Established and maintained a relationship with the local Barnes Care Clinic which

provided emergency service as well as annual hearing certification and return to work

approvals.

• Provided direct contact and coordination for the Workman’s Compensation

administrator.

• Established a strong working relationship with Spherion Corporation who provided

regular temporary contract employees.

• Coordinated recruitment of salaried exempt and non-exempt employees utilizing

corporate staffing assistance as well as contract employment agencies.

• Provided claims and eligibility information for Missouri Employment Security.

• Re-established safety as a first priority achieving 1069 consecutive work days without an

OSHA recordable injury. Had achieved 548 safe days upon my departure April 30,

2009.

• Successfully initiated Lean Manufacturing techniques to improve efficiency and

profitability of the operation including reorganizing workflow, developing work cells

and a 5S strategy.

• Introduced the Perfect Warehouse concept (Kanban organization), which enabled a 15%

improvement in inventory record accuracy and lead to an overall 25% reduction in

inventory of raw materials, goods in process and finished goods.

• Implemented an electronic data collection system to better track and manage operations,

reduce waste and increase production capabilities. Tracked these metrics daily and

published results monthly. Yield gains and operating efficiencies from this effort lead to

a $200K annual savings.

Manufacturing Team Leader (2003-2004)

Overall operational responsibility for the Chlorobenzenes family of products.

• Worked in coordination with HR to address personnel issues and to develop and

implement the necessary staffing adjustments before and during those periods leading up

to our exit of the CBz business.

• Developed and implemented a manufacturing exit strategy which included the shutdown

and decontamination of three operating units and a reduction in force of 63 hourly and 6

salaried employees. The successful execution of this project lead to a savings of ~$500K

vs. plan.

• Managed an annual operating budget of ~$30M. Accountable for delivering fixed cost

control, continuous cost improvement and capital management. Successfully forecasted

and delivered on budgeted manufacturing costs.

• Consistently maintained ESH compliance and ISO certification.

Manufacturing Supervisor (2001-2003)

Managed a complex chemical manufacturing unit that required stringent safety and

environmental compliance.

• Negotiated with the local union and implemented 2 workforce re-organizations that

included a 20% reduction in staffing, leading to an annual savings of approximately

$375K.

• Responsible for the daily production planning and inventory control.

• Accountable for budget development and cost management.

• Record of leading and motivating others to achieve business goals.

• Maintained an environment of open communication and employee involvement.

Vice President/Chairman - Local 12C International Chemical Workers Union (1997 – 2001)

Responsible for the administration of the collective bargaining agreement covering 230+

employees, which included coordinating the grievance process and providing advice,

assistance and contract interpretation to the members of the Grievance Committee. Investigated

the merit of grievances seeking mutually beneficial resolutions.

• Proven track record of resolving disputes and achieving equitable results; reduced the

backlog of submitted annual grievances by 50%.

• As Chairman of the negotiations committee, lead the successful contract negotiations of

2001 reaching an agreement in 2 weeks and avoiding a potential work stoppage.

• Responsible for drafting numerous contract revisions that were both amicable and

beneficial to the union and management.

• As Recording Secretary - National Pension and Insurance contract negotiations of 1997

and 2000 provided historical research and argument to better position the Unions during

discussions.

MONSANTO CO – ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI 1979-1997

Unit Controller

Responsible for the operation of a continuous chemical processes, which included the operation

of distillation columns and reactors, and the transferring of material as needed, using both manual

and automated equipment controlled by a state of the art computer integrating ProVox system.

• Regularly performed process control testing using Gas Chromatography, and standard

laboratory sampling procedures such as PH, titration, crystallization point, color evaluation

etc.

PUBLIC SERVICE

Planning Commissioner, Village of Caseyville, Illinois 1979 – 1981

Vice Chairman/Secretary 1989 – 1993

• During my tenure on the Planning Commission I developed and authored a comprehensive

land use and development plan for the Village of Caseyville. This was prepared in

conjunction with my Senior Synthesis for Urban Affairs at St. Louis University.

• Liaison to the Village Board

Elected Trustee for the Village of Caseyville, Illinois 1981 - 1985

Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Committee

• Successfully negotiated union labor contracts with Laborers Local 100, Teamsters Local

50 and the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge # 137.

• Successfully managed the annexation of real property equal to approximately 25 percent of

the existing village tax base without the need for litigation or dispute resolution.

• Member of the Police Committee

• Member of the Finance Committee

• Member of the Negotiating Committee

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Urban Affairs and Community Service, Administrative Management

Saint Louis University - St. Louis, Missouri

Graduated Magna cum Laude

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• Dale Carnegie - Completed Leading a High Performance Culture and Effective Public

Speaking.

• Media Training - Completed corporate sponsored training in preparation for potential

media interaction.

TECHNICAL TRAINING

• Attended the George Meany Center for Labor Studies - Studied Negotiating Techniques

and Writing Contract Language.

• Missouri Enterprises – LEAN manufacturing training.

COMPUTER SKILLS

• Proficient in the use of Microsoft applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint,

Access and Outlook. Also have experience in the use of SAP applications.

Contact this candidate