Kostas Konstantelos, P.Eng, M.Eng
* ****** *****, *******, ** M3C 1Y2 647-***-**** *******@******.***
Senior Level Manufacturing Operations Executive
—Experienced, results-focused and knowledgeable senior level Manufacturing Operations Executive with International experience in Canada, Europe and the United States. Actively pursuing a new leadership opportunity with a world-class employer who provides professional growth and career challenge.
—Highly adept at leading business analysis, process improvement, procurement, supply chain, inventory management and production enhancements using Lean Six Sigma principles.
—Demonstrated success in driving significant improvements in waste reduction, efficiency improvements, On Time Shipping/Customer Service and quality standards with the ability to troubleshoot and resolve production issues impacting business success.
Core Competencies
Broad Manufacturing Operations Experience
Supply Chain Management / Procurement
Management of Budget Expenditures
Workflow Optimization Strategies
Exceptional People Skills / Strong Motivator
Keep Current on all Production Improvements
Cost Effective Inventory Management
Black-Green Belt-Lean Six Sigma Certifications
Strong Budget Development & Oversight
Quality Assurance / ISO 9000 Implementation
Effective Maintenance Programs
Excellent Negotiation Strategies
Ongoing Safety Inspections and Adherence
Develop-Maintain Vendor/Customer Relations
Professional Experience
2013 to present: GM/Plant Manager-Hollander Sleep Products LLC, Toronto, Canada
Leads plant operations (production/manufacturing, inventory, shipping, quality, maintenance, engineering, human resources) for a North American leader with 13 manufacturing facilities in the textile/bedding industry, in a CPG high mix/high volume/short lead time, fast paced environment.
Employs lean/GMP/continuous improvement initiatives, change management & morale enhancement strategies resulting in improvement of KPI’s/metrics set by corporate. Examples include but not limited to:
Awarded as the Best Overall Performing Plant of the group (13 plants) for 2015-2016-2017-2018
Awarded as the Best Quality Performing Plant of the group (13 plants) for 2015-2016-2017-2018
Awarded as the Best Customer Service Plant of the group for 2015-2016-2017-2018 (Improved On Time Shipping Rate from 80% to 100%)
Walmart Canada Award as the Best Vendor for the years 201*-****-****
0% customer quality incident rate for 36 consecutive months (ranked best in the company)
Improved the labor efficiency from 77% to 100%
Lowest direct labor (as a % of sales) in the company
Assembles and develops a high-performance team to meet & exceed customer demands and corporate goals in a dynamic-transformational environment
Reduces customer compliance charges by 98% with significant impact to the bottom line
Improves production capacity up to 100% to meet customer high season demand by using low cost-quick set up mobile work cells to enforce the existing heavy duty, stationery equipment
Heads corporate engineering improvement and negotiation efforts for the purchase and installation of new equipment in all plants of the group, resulting in savings of approximately $1M/year corporate wide due to significant reduction of raw material (fiber) required per unit impacted by the new technology
Travels to other plants to advise local management and implement Best Practices, on assignment as needed.
Corporate representation to external regulatory and governing bodies (Health Canada, Ministry of Labor, etc.), customer compliance on site audits, as well as in North American Manufacturing Summits
P&L responsibility, CAPEX, wise-cautious preparation of manufacturing budget and continuous monitoring
Fosters a strong workforce team environment and ensures all staff understands corporate policy and business goals while assists in personnel professional growth.
Identification of hiring needs and implementation of appropriate hiring strategies in cooperation with HR and department managers
Collaborates with on site HR Manager as well with corporate HR for the development and implementation of training, safety, succession planning, employee performance assessment and recognition programs
Coaches and mentors staff, inspires honesty, transparency, fairness at all levels and leads by example
Kostas Konstantelos, P.Eng, M.Eng – Page 2
2004 to 2013: Plant Manager - Crown Food Service Equipment, Ltd., Toronto, Canada
Provide multi plant operations management, direction and cost-effective workforce utilization strategies that significantly increase product output by up to 40%.
Develop organization budget and effectively monitor budget expenditures, production and sales.
Foster a strong and managed plant work ethic that increases production output and quality assurance standards.
Established, developed and implemented quality assurance systems, leading to ISO 9000 certification.
Implement Lean Six Sigma and continuous improvement tactics that provide improved delivery schedules, reduced production cycle and lead times from 4 weeks to 2, and effectively eliminated overdue orders from 6 weeks to zero.
Successfully utilize lean initiatives to minimize/eliminate materials and personnel resources waste and provide increased organizational effectiveness.
Perform personnel recruitment, training and development processes that include all manufacturing staff, stockroom-warehouse and procurement personnel; implement staff evaluations, reward programs and discipline as needed.
Implement effective preventative maintenance polices/procedures that result in minimal down time for manufacturing processes and increase longevity of equipment.
Ensure regulatory/audit compliance following ASME, TSSA, NSF, CSA to name a few and ensured established guidelines are adhered within the manufacturing environment.
Facilitate the plant’s health and safety standards with supervision for the Health and Safety Committee; conduct monthly safety inspections, identify potential hazards that result in reduced accidents and personnel time lost—company keeps well below the industry average.
Collaborate and communicate with WSIB and Ministry of Labor officials to ensure manufacturing regulatory compliance is adhered according to OHSA.
Interacts with direct reports, Supply Chain-Purchasing-Suppliers to assure preferred service, and Sales-Customers to ensure customer satisfaction.
2000 to 2004: Ingenia Polymers Corp., Houston, TX / Toronto, Canada
Corporate Purchasing & Supply Chain Manager /North America, Houston, TX (2001 to 2004)
Corporate Purchasing & Logistics Manager, Head office, Toronto, Canada – (2000 to 2001)
Provided leadership and manufacturing direction regarding procurement and supply chain management for the North American multi plant operations and supervised a team of buyers and logistics coordinators.
Successfully negotiated critical corporate agreements/contracts that reduced raw materials, capital equipment and parts pricing using consolidation/consignment tactics and strategies.
Significantly reduced freight costs up to 40% with direct savings of 2 cents/lb of product shipped, packaging costs by up to 20% and plant and maintenance supplies up to 35%.
Fostered strong business relations with suppliers and freight providers across North America and in global segments that resulted in supply chain improvements that positively impact production efficiency and revenue growth.
Devised and implemented corporate purchasing, supply chain excellence and policies/procedures that ensured vendor procurement cost effectiveness and introduced direct/indirect cost reductions, quality assurance, supplies delivered on time, operating and maintenance and terms of payment cost containment strategies.
Collaborated with production, master schedulers, sales and finance teams to maintain inventory within budget constraints while successfully meeting all consumer demands.
Monitored competitive market and pricing trends and kept current on competitive market intelligence for proactive process implementation.
Partnered with R&D, marketing/sales, and production for successful development of new product and competitive customer pricing strategies.
Effectively solved all issues and concerns with suppliers and providers and settled product claims regarding quality, contract, late delivery costs and other reported issues.
Early Career
Plant Manager – Crown Food Service Equipment, Ltd., Toronto, Canada
Production & Quality Assurance Manager – Air Cool Air Conditioning S.A., Athens, Greece
Production & Quality Assurance Manager – San Fillip Group of Companies, Athens, Greece
Kostas Konstantelos, P.Eng, M.Eng – Page 3
Education / Professional Development / Affiliations
University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada – 2000
Master’s in Industrial Engineering – M.Eng
Technical University of Crete, Chania, Greece – 1994
Bachelor’s in Production Engineering & Management
Professional Development
Villanova University – 2009 to 2014
Lean Six Sigma-Master’s Certificate
Lean Six Sigma-Black Belt Certification
Lean Six Sigma-Green Belt Certification
Lean Six Sigma Certification
Industrial Accident Prevention Association - 2009
Management’s Responsibilities & Due Diligence
Express Personnel – 2007
Managing Conflict and Change to Enhance Morale and Team Building
Karrass Institution – 2002
Effective Negotiating
The Procurement Center of Houston – 2002
Strategic Procurement
American Management Association – 2000
CMC’s Course in Purchasing & Supply Chain Management
Member - Scientific/Professional Association: Professional Engineers of Ontario