Manufacturing/Production Management

James G. Sulton

Cell: 404-***-**** ~ *** Northwood Hills Drive, Hernando, MS 38632 ~ Email: ***********@***.***

OPERATION MANAGEMENT

Production Management / Lean Management / Customer Service Management

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

A lead-by-example manager with over 20 years of experience managing and supervising operations. Managed Teams 300+, Led High-Profile Projects to successful results and directed complex projects from concept to fully operational status. A change agent recognized for exceptional talents in training, revitalizing operations and reinvigorating under-performing cross-functional teams to drive strong and sustainable productivity gains, cost reductions and quality improvements. Fully computer literate in the following programs: MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, MRP, VISO and AS400. Core knowledge and skills include:

Safety Standards/Compliance

Start-up/Turnaround Strategy

Lean Six-Sigma Practices

Union/Non-Union Experience

Continuous Improvement

Total Quality Management

Cost Reduction Strategies

Complaint Handling & Resolution

Leadership & Management

Budgeting & Planning

Training & Development

Inventory Management

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

GREENTECH AUTOMOTIVE - Chinese automotive manufacturer of electric vehicles.

Production Manager - Robinsonville, MS 2015 to Present

Responsible for MyCar plant production launch. Managed 75 employees.

Achieved 20% budget reduction of $245,000 through hoshin, W3I and 5 why’s problem solving tools.

Created 6S process which supported safety, working conditions and overall plant operations.

Oversaw start-up of MyCar production line and passed international certification audit the first time.

Interact with China in automotive launch and developed process improvement plan.

Trained supervisors, team leaders, assembly techs on (KPI’s) key performance indicators and visual management.

Implemented 6S program, managed development of Standard Operating Procedures and Job Breakdown Sheets.

Trained Supervisors and Team Leaders on lean practices and created a new hire orientation training program.

Developed cross-training matrix, escalation process to eliminate excessive downtime and improve plant communication.

Created Standard Leadership Worksheet for Supervisors to manage daily, weekly and monthly operation activities.

HAWORTH INC. - Furniture manufacturer of seating and office products.

** Reason for leaving: Large amount of business being relocated initiating plant downsizing.

Operation Manager - Bruce, MS 2013 to 2015

Responsible for managing a two shift operation with 347 employees.

Key Contributions & Achievements

Oversaw and approved plant standard work processes.

Implemented check book approach to get overhead costs back in line.

Conduct bi-weekly continuous improvement meetings.

Created critical cross training matrixes for high volume work cells and develop training processes.

Created plant 5S program and rolled out Team Based Safety Awareness Program.

Reduced manufacturing cost $284,000 utilizing lean tools.

HAYASHI TELEMPU NA - (Formerly Amtex Inc.) Japanese automotive tier-one supplier of interior carpet and acoustical products.

** Reason for leaving: Company restructure due to buyout by Japanese Company.

Plant Manager - Jasper, AL 2011 to 2012

Successfully oversaw the start-up and development of a 50 employee manufacturing operation.

Key Contributions & Achievements

Created and implemented standard operating procedures and standard work instructions for all assembly processes.

Trained pre-hires on safety, just-in-time, teambuilding and lean manufacturing.

Exceeded goal of $335,000 in cost reductions and passed all internal and external audits during operation start-up.

Established KPI’s for department heads and trained staff on meeting their goals through lean practices.

Achieved 100% on time delivery and zero OSHA recordables during plant start-up.

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MATSU ALABAMA, INC – Canadian tier-one automotive supplier of metal stampings, welding and seat riser assemblies.

**Reason: Promotional opportunity to start-up plant.

Production Manager - Huntsville, AL 2007 to 2010

Responsible for managing a two shift welding assembly operation 2 supervisors, 3 team leaders and 220 production associates.

Key Contributions & Achievements

Increased efficiency from 70% to 99.6% by reducing complex machine set-ups and relay out of assembly work cells.

Organized and facilitated Quality Circle Teams to improve plant quality, productivity and team spirit.

Led continuous improvement team which, reduced scrap rate 20% resulting in an $187,000 yearly savings.

Implemented 5S concepts and one-piece flow throughout 100% of assembly operation.

Eliminated external rework and reduced internal rework by 40% creating a cost savings of $510, 000 yearly.

CARMAX - Retailer of new and used vehicles.

**Reason for leaving: Workforce and car sales reduction due to economic decline.

Technical Production Manager / Customer Service Advisor, Norcross, GA 2005 to 2007

Managed 26 ASE technicians, performed vehicle inspections and approved engine repairs.

Key Contributions & Achievements

Rotated throughout all operation to gain overall knowledge in retail, customer service and sales.

Resolved customer complaints interacting with all retail operations through an intense corporate training program.

Completed Daimler-Chrysler Certified Customer Service Training

Created charts to track customer complaints and follow-up customer satisfaction rating.

MOBIS ALABAMA, LLC – Korean tier-one supplier of automotive cockpit modules, front and rear chassis’s for Hyundai.

** Reason for leaving: Opportunity to apply lean practices and learn retail and customer service operation.

Production Manager, Montgomery, AL 2004 to 2005

Successfully started-up the cockpit module, front and rear chassis assembly operation. Responsible for 250 personnel.

Key Contributions & Achievements

Oversaw production staff and team members training in Korea on Hyundai and Kia Motors chassis and cockpit modules.

Developed work standards KPI’s and managed assembly processes for all production lines in the module plant.

Saved company $474,000 during start-up through continuous improvement projects and kaizen events.

Contract instructor for AIDT pre-hire candidates on safety, lean practices and team building during plant start-up.

Reduced shipping and packaging cost $27,500 monthly to Hyundai by redesigning transport containers and racks.

FLEETWOOD ENTERPRISES - Manufacturer of Manufactured Homes, RV’s and Travel Trailers 1999 to 2004

**Reason for leaving: Company filed bankruptcy causing company to sale off part of business

Production Manager (07/99 to 08/01) Longview, TX / District Service Manager (08/01to 04/03) Waco, TX

Oversaw a multi-operation of 380 employees in manufacturing housing across two shifts. Selected later by corporate to oversee the start-up operation of a travel trailer plant. Promoted to District Service Manager with the responsibilities of managing a customer service call center team and service technicians. Provided service to 60 retail operations in Mississippi and Louisiana.

Key Contributions & Achievement

Improved customer service index from 82% to 95% customer satisfaction and increased annual sales 30%.

Developed a program that reduced retailers service cost 40% resulting in a $320,000 cost savings annually.

Reduced cost of plant start-up by $600,000 utilizing in-house resources and employee suggestions.

Slashed OSHA recordables by 78% and achieved 275 consecutive days with zero OSHA recordable injuries.

Increased efficiency by 40%, reduced manpower by 25%, reduced material cost 20%, saving the company $850,000.

Received company award for most improved quality and for achieving 98% on time delivery.

Chaired Job Process Committee responsible for developing standard job procedures for all plant personnel.

PRIOR POSITIONS / EMPLOYERS

Manufacturing Supervisor, Manufacturer of exhaust systems, Tenneco Automotive, Harrisonburg, VA 1997 to 1999

Production Supervisor, Delco Remy, Manufacturer of starter motors (General Motors Division), Meridian, MS 1984 to 1997

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EDUCATION

B.S. Business Administration - Chadwick University

Industrial Engineering Technology Course - Penn Foster College

Tools to Improve Efficiency and Productivity - University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Engineering

Ergonomics and Accident Investigation - University of South Florida

Total Quality Management - Holmes Community College

CERTIFICATIONS

Certified Lean Trainer - Management Training Institute

Six Sigma Green Belt - ExpertRating Certified Professionals

Lean Management Certification - ExpertRating Certified Professionals

Basic Life Support Certification: (CPR, First Aid, Bloodborne Pathogens, A.E.D)

Disaster Response Certification - Homeland Crisis Institute

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

Business and Operation Management - Masters Class Management

ISO/TS16949 Policies and Procedures - GRT Consulting and Training

Daimler Chrysler Customer Service Selling Strategies and Service Write-ups - Daimler Chrysler Academy

Management and Leadership Development - Haworth Leadership Institute

Leadership and Supervision - Alabama Industrial Development Training Institute

Service Advisor Fundamentals and Leadership Lab - CarMax

Behavioral Task Assignment and Chain Analysis - National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

FEMA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TRAINING

Task Force and Strike Team Leader, Disaster Response, Introduction to Hazardous Materials,

Managerial Safety and Health, Introduction to Incident Command System, Workplace Violence Awareness, Single Resources and Initial Action Incident, Fundamentals of Emergency Management, Community Emergency Response, National Incident Management, National Response Framework, Active Shooter: What You Can Do

MILITARY - U.S. ARMY RESERVE (Honorable Discharge)

Non-Commissioned Officer Academy - Camp Shelby, MS

Vehicle Wheel Mechanic - Honor Graduate, Ft. Jackson, SC

Petroleum Supply Specialist - Ft. Lee, VA

PROFESSIONAL & PERSONAL AFFILATIONS

Continuous Improvement, Six Sigma & Lean Group

Automotive Industry Professionals Worldwide

International Conference of Police

International Critical Incident Stress Foundation

Mississippi Civil Defense Emergency Management Association

Mississippi Law Enforcement Alliance for Peer Support - MSLEAPS

National Center for Crisis Management and American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress

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