Jeffrey H. (Hayes) Kern

**** ********* ***, ****** ****, FL 740-***-**** ac3dz9@r.postjobfree.com

Operations Leadership

Program Management Manufacturing Logistics & Deliverables Strategic Planning Team Leadership & Development ERP M&As Multi-Site, Cross-Functional Operations Management & Communications Stakeholder Engagement Continuous Process Improvements Quality Assurance P&L, Cost Control & Budgeting Staffing, Hiring & Performance Management

Results-focused Management Professional with 20+ years of experience leading/directing teams, delegating tasks, instructing/training staffs, and monitoring KPIs and performance to ensure optimal productivity. Resourceful employee advocate and customer liaison with an ability to manage multiple operational projects simultaneously, streamline operational efficiency, develop goals, drive continuous process improvement, cultivate client rapport to improve engagement, and establish customer-focused policies and procedures. Solutions-oriented, top-performing team builder seeking to leverage background into a leadership role for a progressive organization.

Key Contributions

Engineered plant turnaround from $15M+ in annual losses to profitability by building top-performing management teams at 2 plants.

Improved industry standard KPIs from among an industry worst to among the best.

Cut worksite injuries 75% by implementing and maintaining safety protocols.

Optimized production costs and processes by allocating resources from research-based into merchant production.

Secured partnership with BP Solar to win an initial $10M investment.

Supervised 265+ employees, delegated tasks, scheduled manpower, and monitored performance, ensuring productivity.

Trained new staff members on best practices, operational protocol, and tactics to maximize performance.

Ensured headcount levels met operational demands by monitoring staffing initiatives, recruiting and interviewing top talent, and coordinating manpower to drive workflow.

Minimized financial discrepancies by ensuring on-target compliance with labor budget limitations.

Partnered with leadership team to devise strategies for meeting operational and budgetary goals.

Aided the executive team by sharing insights and operational statistics to measure KPIs for continuous improvement.

Mentored and motivated staff, and led operations to ensure attainment of optimal performance standards.

Set manufacturing expectations and held team accountable for meeting expectations to increase productivity.

Formulated and implemented departmental and organizational policies and procedures to maximize output.

Mitigated operational risks by monitoring and enforcing staff adherence to rules, regulations, and procedures.

Professional Experience

General Manager/Chief Technical Operations Officer Georgian American Alloys 2012-2017

Implemented change management procedures into the structure for optimizing consistency into the US division of a multi-national manufacturer.

Built management teams, standardized processes, instituted training programs and tailored workforce to match-up with production requirements.

Championed initiatives, yielding a 10%-25% improvement rate in KPIs.

Identified alternative raw material sources to drive 50%+ in annual cost savings.

Fostered relationship with UAW and USW, leading to removal of restrictive contract language.

Managed up to $20M in annual capital project plans with focus on zero profit erosion.

Orchestrated cross-training program to improve plant staffing flexibility and productivity.

Identified areas for potential outsourcing to reduce WIP and changeover times.

Traveled internationally to advise overseas division, direct vendors on major capital projects and provide recommendations on prospective acquisitions.

Vice-President Operations Northwest Silicon, LLC (currently Mississippi Silicon) 2009-2012

Served as part of a 3-member management team working to finance and start-up a new $240M Greenfield silicon metal facility in the United States.

Drove financial activities by coordinating efforts with potential investors and financiers.

Realized cost savings by identifying and negotiating profitable contract options with vendors to deliver raw materials and utilities, and arranged qualification processes with customers.

Interfaced with engineering firm to design and optimize facility construction.

Mitigated regulatory risks by developing and documenting SOPs and JSAs.

Identified an environmental consultant to help develop modeling processes for EPA approval requirement mandates.

Jeffrey H. (Hayes) Kern – Page 2

Vice President Operations/General Manager Solsil, Inc. (Subsidiary of Globe Met) 2007-2008

Assumed control of a struggling start-up supplier to the solar industry.

Improved operations by leading teams to cut costs, advance quality, expand customer base and minimize high injury rates.

Partnered with customers and vendors to build long-term relationships.

Managed full P&L and capital project planning activities to enhance ROI.

Drove a 70% reduction in production costs utilizing Lean manufacturing techniques to identify waste.

Achieved 65% reduction in process treatment times by utilizing root cause analysis.

Leveraged new potential business with State Government to obtain $14M in grants and low interest financing for new site construction.

Fostered safety-first culture and empowered employees in safety program, reducing OSHA recordable rate 75%.

Planned and initiated a new $60M plant capital project.

Reduced plant liabilities by spearheading the ISO certification process.

PREVIOUS WORK HISTORY:

Due Diligence/New Plant Transition, Globe Metallurgical, Corporate, 2005-2006

Human Resources & Safety, Globe Metallurgical, Corporate, 2004-2006

Operations Analyst/Planning Manager, Corporate, Globe Metallurgical, 2003-2006

Plant Manager, Beverly Plant, Globe Metallurgical, 2000-2002

Production Manager, Silicon Metal, 1998-1999

Education & Training

MBA, Concentration in Finance and Accounting, Regis University

BA, Mount Union College

Kaizen Event Training, University of Dayton

HAZWOPER 40-Hour Training

Contact this candidate