Manager Quality

Steven L. Cochran

***** * **** ***** ***** S ( Independence Mo. 64057 ( Cell 816-***-****

( **************@*****.***

Operations/Manufacturing Senior Management Profile

20+ years of experience in manufacturing/plant operations leadership.

Summary of achievements includes 6-figure cost savings, record sales

performance, lean initiatives, and 14-60% quality, productivity, and

inventory gains with Stens, Ariens and HNI. Toyota Production System

expertise.

Quality-driven leader with an extensive background and field knowledge in

manufacturing environments. Able to manage complex, multimillion-dollar

projects to success. Skilled trainer, coach, and motivator for diverse,

cross-functional teams. Paved the way for a complete culture change within

employer company that has celebrated over 1,000 Lean events since beginning

of tenure. Recognized as a highly effective change agent through Lean

Implementation and Value Stream Leadership achievements with the Ariens

Company.

SKILL AREAS:

Toyota Production System ( Continuous Process Improvement ( Safety

Turnaround Performance

Lean Implementations ( Multi-Department Strategy Planning ( Management

& Workforce Leadership

Professional Experience

Milbank Manufacturing - Concordia, MO

Technical Services Manager, 02/2012 to 10/28/2013

Leading Continuous Improvement, Safety, Quality, Maintenance and Tooling.

$60k in implemented cost savings over first 6 months within the plant.

Established flow through plant and pull from final assembly, greatly

reducing in-process inventory and increasing floor space.

AdviCoach, Independent Franchisee of Greater Kansas City

Owner, 6/10 to 2/12

ARIENS COMPANY (including Stens, a Division of Ariens) - Brillion, WI/

Jasper, IN

Value Stream Director, 2003-2010

Held multiple Value Stream Director positions throughout my tenure with

Ariens. Oversaw multiple teams (ranging from $11 million to $50 million)

across several departments. Overview of tenure:

2008-2010: Managed Sourcing, Purchasing, Receiving, Warehousing,

Fabrication, Assembly, and Distribution, supervising team of 35-70 and

reporting to the Stens Company President. Additionally oversaw operations

at J. Thomas (Michigan) for 9 months and Bynorm (Australia) for 4 months.

2006-2010: Set strategic direction for the Ariens OEM Parts Value Stream

and led employees using team-focused approach and A3/Value Stream Mapping

tools. Tracked results on a daily and monthly basis.

2003-2006: Oversaw team of 8-10 salaried and 20-80 hourly employees within

Purchasing, Product Development, Fabrication, and Assembly. Planned and

executed strategies for Value Stream.

KEY CONTRIBUTIONS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

. Led Stens to a $345,000 cost savings in 2009 by renegotiating with

suppliers, developing new suppliers, managing international freight,

and shifting manufacturing from Europe to Mexico for major product

category. Oversaw consolidation of OEM parts and attachment production

that led to record sales in 2009.

. Guided the company to double-digit improvements that included a 14%

productivity gain, 18% inventory reduction, and 15% quality

improvement. Achieved zero recordable accidents in 2009, including

80/20 cell (fabrication, welding, press work, mill and drill).

Steven L. Cochran - Page 2

18304 E 30th Steet Court S ( Independence Mo. 64057 ( Cell 816-***-****

( **************@*****.***

. Outlined new product launch and set an aggressive goal from design to

launch of 300 units in 30 days in 2006 (in response to declining

sales). Led team in accomplishing goal, with the unit representing the

highest sales product for the team and setting direction for expanded

product line in 2007.

. Led 3P Kaizen team in developing articulating arm rest with 1 of 2

patents pending (one of the top-selling accessories for the Service

Parts department).

THE ARIENS COMPANY - Brillion, WI

Lean Manager, 2001-2003

In charge of leading the company's conversion from a batch production to a

lean manufacturing environment using the Toyota Production System.

Introduced processes and procedures to improve internal operations,

including Policy Deployment to review monthly metrics and weekly Friday

Letter summary used to share information.

KEY CONTRIBUTIONS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

. Instituted Kaizen Implemented Program to replace suggestion program,

with as many as 300 implementations per month. Conducted 1st employee

survey relating to Lean tools and Kaizen participation.

. Delivered instruction and coached team on lean principles/tools for

167 events in Standard Work, Quality, Ergonomics, Set Up Reduction,

Value Stream Mapping, Administrative, Lean Product Development, Total

Productive Maintenance, and 3P events, with 35.7% employee

participation in Kaizens.

ALLSTEEL (HON Industries) - Verona, MS

Quality Manager/Skilled Trades Manager, 1998-2001

Ensured fulfillment of quality production goals on panel systems within 250-

member plant; additionally functioned as Skilled Trades Manager to

supervise Maintenance and Tooling areas. Guided standard work, quality, 6S,

and 3P lean manufacturing teams. Created tool room, equipment, and

processes to support plant operations.

KEY CONTRIBUTIONS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

. Reduced customer quality issues by over 60% and developed/taught Poka

Yoke course to ensure lean quality and reduce issues.

. Rewrote Quality Policy and ISO Manual in order to incorporate lean

manufacturing methodology and maintain ISO 9000 Certification.

** Prior positions with HON Industries as Corporate Quality Engineer,

Quality Assurance Test Lab Manager, and Assistant Quality Control

Supervisor, starting in 1978.

Education & Credentials

Bachelor of Science Degree - MARYMOUNT COLLEGE, Salina, KS

Certified Quality Engineer - AMERICAN SOCIETY OF QUALITY ENGINEERS (1990

to 2001)

Professional Training - ISO 9000 Lead Assessor Training, Stat-a-Matrix (

Introduction to Quality Management, American Society of Quality ( Quality

Function Deployment, Productivity Inc. ( The Executive Committee, Senior

Management Program: Courses in Leadership ( Association for Manufacturing

Excellence, 20th Annual Conference ( Toyota Production System Training by

Shingijutsu for 100+ Kaizen Events ( Certified Business Coach - FSBI

Professional Affiliation - Sustainable Hope International, Board Member

(Current); Scoutmaster, 9 years

Classes Taught - "QPIP" (Quality and Productivity Improvement Process),

taught 10-week class 4 times with savings booked of $120k per class,

"Strategic Planning", "Shop Floor Kaizen Breakthrough", "Value Stream

Mapping", "Poka Yoke", "The Kamishibai Process", "Ergonomic Kaizen

Process", "SMED" and other lean tool training.

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