Operations, Distribution, General Management Manager Business
Resume:
STEVEN C. SAVARA Rockford, MI 49341
Mobile: 616-***-****
*********@*****.***
OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY TEAM LEADERSHIP STRATEGIC PLANNING
OPERATIONS MANAGER / GENERAL MANAGER
High-performance, business-savvy management professional acknowledged for reflecting strong leadership
qualifications coupled with hands on expertise. Known change agent recognized for employing drive, determination, and
outstanding leadership talents to realize transformational and strategic advancement. Combine talents to create
proactive business environments where others can be successful, and where synergy can be achieved in support of
business objectives. Motivational leader and communicator, capable of building cohesion and project engagement across
all levels of management, vendors, and customers.
Demonstrated Core Competencies
Leadership/Motivation Project Management Training/Development
Inventory Management Procurement/Purchasing Process Improvement
Strategic Planning Work Team Facilitator Change Management
Consulting Restructuring Vendor/Customer Relations
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
TECHNICAL AIR PRODUCTS, INC., Belmont, MI 2006–2011
A small technical company that designs and builds clean-room environments for high-tech manufacturing and
research organizations. Annual revenues total $2M in sales annually.
General Manager
Directed and coordinated operations positioning the organization to achieve profit and OSHA safety compliance.
Established job costing through MRP documentation, linking accounting tasks to day-to-day job functions. Held
accountable for return on investment reporting for new equipment purchases for a 70,000 square foot plant.
Leveraged innovation and consistently introduced new customer-specific products between Sales, Design,
Production, and vendors, ensuring high quality and on-time shipments.
Selected Achievements:
Proactively evaluated operations and reorganized 70% of the plant, paving the way to improvements in
material flow, assembly productions, inventory accuracy, with reductions in inventory levels of vendor-supplied
sub-assemblies and packaging.
Improved order fulfillment from 80% late to 85% on time by cross-training employees to perform in diverse
roles, including assembly, metal fabrication, welding, curtain fabrication, packaging, and shipping and receiving.
Drastically decreased company freight costs 50% through investigation, standardization, and
implementation of discount programs with specific carriers and customers.
Reduced on-hand inventory of filters, components, steel, aluminum, electrical parts, MRP management
costs, and shortened turn-around time on standard orders.
Ensured goal achievement and financial flexibility by creating forecasting and goal benchmarks, reporting
of weekly, monthly, and yearly results with increased detail and success year over year, including profitability.
PROPERTY MAINTENANCE SYSTEMS, INC., Rockford, MI 2005–2006
An independent property maintenance, repair, and renovation company.
Founder, Contractor
Relaunched company from earlier successful property maintenance practice. Held accountable for all aspects of
operations including sales and marketing, and financial performance. Leveraged extensive network of contacts to
expand client base, and provided primarily painting, plumbing repairs, carpentry and renovation services.
STEVEN C. SAVARA PAGE TWO
THE OFIS BY POWELL, INC., Houston, TX 2000–2005
A top 10 leader of all the Knoll furniture dealerships nationwide, averaging yearly sales between $18M and $24M.
Manager, Vice President of Operations
Implemented programs to ensure attainment of business plans for growth and profit. Provided direction and
structure for operating unit. Improved processes and management methods to generate higher ROI and workflow
optimization. Held accountable for sales, marketing, quotes, performance, and profits with regard to distribution,
delivery, and installation of all products and services.
Selected Achievements:
Instrumental in building all aspects of the business from the ground up, maximizing potential for success
by attracting, recruiting, hiring and training up to 100 action orientated employees and relocating a distribution
center to a new facility, increasing capacity from 40,000 square feet to 100,000 square feet.
Maintained day-to-day installations for more than $18 million dealership standard orders, while simultaneously
inventorying, bar coding, moving, and placing 80 semi trailers of client products in the new distribution center.
Planned, executed, finalized the layout, construction, and facilitated the move of a new 100,000-square-foot
facility within triple constraints of delivering on time, 20% under budget, and within scope objectives.
Profitably sold and built a major account base by adding asset management and reconfiguration services for
Enron, Chevron, DTE Energy, and Panhandle Energy. Led a team that provided on-site inventory asset tracking,
including placement of service installers who worked in some of the largest buildings in the country.
CUSTER OFFICE ENVIRONMENTS, INC., Grand Rapids, MI 1993–1999
Recognized as a top 10-Steelcase furniture dealership, providing service across West Michigan and nationwide.
The company achieved growth from $10M in 1993 to $43M in 1998.
Operations Manager
Directed numerous aspects of strategic planning and execution to enhance profitability, effectiveness, and
efficiency of five distribution/installations groups located across Western Michigan totaling more than 140,000
square feet, including 85 associates and contractors. Played a key role in achieving and managing the 75% growth
rate from 1994 to 1997, including financials, human resources, facilities, processes, employee morale, continuous
improvement measures, and customer satisfaction.
Selected Achievements:
Distinguished for positioning the Operations group for success seven years in a row, exceeding $5M in
sales per year, and earning the Steelcase Exemplary Quality Award in 1993 and 1996.
Integral role in amplifying operations sales from $500k annually to $5M annually, netting profits of sales
from 1.3% to 3.5% while expanding.
Established and grew the Corporate Services Division from zero to $2M in three years, restoring and
reselling all brands of commercial furniture, which included broker services, restorations, chair/ panel /carpet
cleaning, wire management, and wood touch-up services.
Successfully planned, organized, and launched two operational centers in Battle Creek, Michigan and
Kalamazoo, Michigan, generating $2M to $10M a year in product sales and services annually, while delivering
exemplary service to Kellogg Corporation, Upjohn Corporation, and Stryker Corporation.
Established Quality Circle Teams and fostered a positive work culture, paving the way for growth, while
eliminating obstacles to quality control and improving the overall performance of operations.
Pioneered implementation of an innovative leadership development program for group members to
accelerate career advancement. The Program achieved Best Practice recognition and was recommended by
Steelcase as a Human Resource management tool to dealerships nationwide.
STEVEN C. SAVARA PAGE THREE
EDUCATION / TRAINING / CERTIFICATIONS
Master of Management, AQUINAS COLLEGE, Grand Rapids, MI
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, AQUINAS COLLEGE, Grand Rapids, MI
Production Management, FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY, Big Rapids, MI
Integrated Architecture Management, Steelcase, Inc.
Project Management Certification, Steelcase, Inc.
Authorized Lead Installer Certification, Steelcase, Inc.
State of Michigan Contractors License, Property Maintenance Systems, Inc.
DOT Regulations Training, Custer Office Environments Inc.
ADDITIONAL CERTIFICATIONS & PROFESSIONAL TRAINING:
Individual and Organizational Development, Custom Learning Systems, Inc.; Asset Management and Bar-
coding Systems Implementation, Snaptracker, Inc.; Certified Managers I and II Certificates, Michigan
Manufacturers Association; Synchronous Organization Training, General Motors Corporation; Industrial
Problem Solving and Quality Management, Grand Rapids Community College; Labor Relations and
Organizational Psychology, Human Systems Inc.; Quality Circle Leadership, Association of Quality Circles;
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People with Dr. Stephen R. Covey.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Michigan Manufacturing Association (MMA)
International Association of Quality Circles (IACC)
Grand Rapids Transportation Club
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Volunteer Teacher and Coordinator, Junior Achievement in Grand Rapids and Houston Chapters
Coordinator, United Way Campaigns Michigan Special Olympic Events; Adopt-A-Highway programs
Facilitator, Senior Neighbors, Heartside Ministries, Downtown Management Board
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