THOMAS KOTAL

** ******** ***** (H) 217-***-****

Decatur, IL 62522 (M) 217-***-****

abntsw@r.postjobfree.com

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Results-oriented Manufacturing Manager/Project Manager with expertise in:

Identifying future requirements and planning, organizing, scheduling, and directing activities that

ensure products are delivered on time and that meet the highest quality standards

Building consensus and negotiating agreements that provide win-win situations for internal and

external customers.

Knowledge of Mechanical design, detailed component assembly, machining, gaging, material

selection, 3D and 2D CAD mechanical layout, bill of material, documentation presentation and

manufacturing processes.

Hiring, training, developing, and mentoring and training staff to ensure highest productivity,

efficiency and cost savings for the organization.

Driving the organization to achieve success by reducing costs, improving productivity, and

achieving profit.

Preparation of project budget, cash flow projections, resource scheduling, milestone planning,

meeting customer requirements for successful project completion.

Core competencies include:

P&L Responsibility Operations Management Program Management

Budget/Forecasting Inventory Management Total Quality Management

Customer Relations Process Improvement Policies/Procedures/ISO/QS9000/SPC

Employee Development Mechanical Layout/Design Technical Expertise

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Prudential Securities LLC. June 2008 – Dec. 31, 2008

Financial Services Advisor

Provide financial planning and advice for businesses and individuals.

Series 6, Federal Securities & Series 63, Illinois Securities Certifications

Accident, Health & Disability Insurance Licensed

BUTLER INTERNATIONAL, Decatur, IL 2007 –Feb. 2008

Engineering Consultant

Provide technical consulting services to Caterpillar in the platform packaging/shipping area.

Provide practical solutions that increase product quality upon delivery to customers.

Collaborate with internal Engineering staff, external Consultants, and Senior Management to

implement costs savings and quality improvement processes.

Utilize 5S, Lean, and Six Sigma principles to organize platform and shipment processes.

MECHANICAL INDUSTRIES, LLC, Milwaukee, WI 2006 - 2007

Operations Management

Directed all manufacturing and facility operations and identified and implemented improvements

for a plant that produced specialty machined parts for companies such as Harley Davidson,

Mercury Marine, Hayes Brake, and John Deere.

Evaluated existing processes, systems, and people with a “hands-on” approach to identify ways to

smooth out unproductive gaps in production schedule, correct inventory confusion, and reduce

excessive overtime for cost savings.

Provided owner with recommendations to improve and correct existing problems in production,

financial/accounting, inventory management, purchasing, and product distribution.

Used mechanical machining experience in concert with the Quality Manager in advancing and

implementing Lean concepts to the manufacturing floor.

Facilitated increased communications between disciplines by forming cross-functional teams that

worked together to solve problems.

Worked closely with existing employees, improving morale, empowering decision-making, and

rewarding performance. This significantly decreased turnover and improved employee retention.

Developed strong working relationships with both customers and suppliers to identify and

improve problems with erratic scheduling demands.

Entrepreneurial Venture, Decatur, IL 2004 – 2006

Owner

Researched, invested in and led entrepreneurial venture. Directed start-up, sales planning,

financial reporting, marketing, accounting, employee hiring/training, supervision, and budgeting.

Researched real estate prospects and negotiated favorable real estate rentals.

Utilized entrepreneurial skills to evaluate opportunity and successfully managed the business.

Provided outstanding products and services to multiple large stores and businesses.

PHIPPS PATTERNS, INC., Decatur, IL 1980 – 2004

Plant Manager /Project Manager/Controller

Oversaw operations for 3 facilities that produced machine tooling for the highly competitive

automotive industry. Accepted as a Tier 3 supplier based upon quality standards, QS 9000,

customer relations, and technology capability.

Assisted GE in nuclear power facility machining during plant outage on 24 hour basis. Personally

verified mechanical work on material where “zero defects” was essential.

As project manager, collaborated with the Engineering staff of a Tier 2 supplier to design and

deliver a new product to meet the customer’s needs. Quoted design time, additional

manufacturing machinery, tooling equipment to be manufactured. Assisted customer in tooling

equipment mounting specifications on their new equipment. Manufactured fixtures for robotic

trimming of product gating. Manufactured checking fixtures for quality verification. Managed

production life cycle schedule to maintain and expedite shortest delivery time amid customer

continual changes. The product exceeded expectations of Key Executives for both Ford and GM.

Identified a need to increase efficiency in the production process. Researched technologies and

selected the most appropriate equipment. Installed new equipment and modified existing

equipment, oversaw employee training that resulted in improving efficiency by up to 60%.

Initiated a program to solicit input from employees on processes that could improve efficiency and

quality. Met with employees, listened to their recommendations, and implemented new

approaches. These new approaches significantly improved processes, in addition to improving

employee morale.

Identified a need to purchase and install cutting edge software and hardware in order to fulfill

customer needs. Purchased, installed, and trained on new CAD/CAM and CNC equipment in

order to utilize software to meet product specifications. This resulted in maintaining Tier 3

supplier status and acquiring additional business from the customer.

Reduced time to market from 10 weeks to 5 weeks.

As project manager, worked with design build firm to layout manufacturing and office areas, size

electrical service and equipment relocation for a new facility. Relocated manufacturing to a new

10,000sqft location with a minimal impact to production.

Developed variable budgeting for both capital and expense for manufacturing and administrative.

Developed standards, used in cost analysis of production jobs.

Responsible for all general accounting, cost accounting, budgeting, monthly and annual physical

inventory, variance analysis, payroll using Peachtree, and assisted outside tax preparation.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Bachelor of Business, Finance – Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL

Coursework toward M.B.A. –Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL

Coursework in Accounting – Millikin University, Decatur, IL

Series 6 Federal Securities Certification for Variable Contracts

Series 63 State Securities Certification for Variable Contracts

Illinois State Life Insurance License

Illinois State Medical and Disability License

Illinois State Real-estate License--expired

Six Sigma Green Belt Certification

Lean/DFSS Certification

CAD AND Software Experience

Pro-E, Camax, Unigraphics, Ideas, AutoCAD 2009, some Solidworks, Microsoft Word, Excel, Financial

Spreadsheet Custom Software, Microsoft Project, Visio, ERP Software, some SAP, some Oracle.

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