Manager Customer Service
Resume:
MICHAEL E. STOKES
Kansas City, MO 64114 Cellular: 913-***-****) ************@*****.***
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
SENIOR MANAGER with 20+years of experience in operations, distribution, manufacturing, planning and general
management. Has met and exceeded company objectives in the areas of productivity, customer service, cost control,
safety and quality. Successful leader who is talented in the arts of subordinate development and empowerment. Proven
accomplishments in:
Distribution Management Strategic Planning
Operations Management Project Management
Manufacturing Management Inventory Control
Cost Control General Administration
Budget Development Production Management
Contract Negotiations KPI Development
Safety Management Establishing Vendor
Relationships
EXPERIENCE AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
LANGLEY/EMPIRE CANDLE COMPANY Kansas City, Kansas March 2009 to
Present
A rapidly expanding poured candle manufacturer. A $50+ million enterprise specializing in the manufacture
of scented and citronella candles for all seasons and occasions. Located in one facility with an excess of
360,000 sq. ft.(150,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing; 210,000 sq. ft. of warehouse/distribution).
VP of Operations
Senior manager in charge of all operational aspects of the business including but not limited to
manufacturing, distribution, maintenance, O.S.H.A. compliance, safety management, internal reporting and
general administration. Responsible for a total of 8 direct reports and up to 300 indirect reports.
Established KPI’s for manufacturing, distribution, purchasing and quality assurance
Implemented monthly safety training and OSHA compliance program.
Implemented 5S, work cells and other lean philosophies.
Moved freight contract negotiations to a 3rd party broker netting a 19% reduction in freight costs.
Developed and implemented numerous capital projects to enhance productivity.
Implemented cycle counting procedures.
Reduced operations labor/gross sales%
AMERICAN CRANE AND TRACTOR PARTS, INC., Kansas City, Kansas June 2008 to February 2009
A rapidly expanding, $65 million wholesale distributor, servicing the heavy equipment industry by providing a
wide range of replacement parts for CATERPILLAR brand equipment. A subsidiary of GB Group, Inc. with a
total of six strategic locations across the country with a total warehouse/distribution space in excess of
300,000 sq. ft.
Director of Operations
Senior manager reporting directly to the president. In charge of all distribution and warehousing activities,
logistics management, capital project management, operations planning and budgeting, Federal, State and
local compliance, safety management and general administration activities. Responsible for a total of 7 direct
reports and up to 150 indirect reports. Downsized out of the position after the 2008 economic slow-down.
Implemented “5 S” lean program.
Implemented monthly safety training and OSHA compliance program.
Established operations based KPI’s and metrics in order to measure productivity and quality.
Negotiated phone service contract with new provider netting a 32% reduction in phone costs.
Reduced overtime to less than 1% from an average of 7%.
Michael E. Stokes Page 2
ARROW SPEED WAREHOUSE, INC., Kansas City, Kansas January 2000 to June 2008
A $90 million wholesale distributor, servicing the specialty automotive aftermarket industry with high
performance parts and accessories. Comprised of seven Midwestern distribution centers totaling over
400,000 sq. ft.
Director of Operations
Senior level manager, providing overall operations management and leadership. In charge of all distribution
and warehousing activities, logistics management, customer service, capital project management, operations
planning and budgeting, Federal, State and local compliance, safety management and general
administration activities. Responsible for a total of 9 direct reports and up to 225 indirect reports.
Developed strategic growth by analyzing opportunities, which resulted in the opening and
expansion of multiple facilities in Dallas
Achieved a major increase in productivity by increasing accountability and improved material
handling procedures.
Implemented a company wide auditing procedure; improved on time and accurate shipments
from 86% to 98%.
Established key indicator benchmarks in the areas of productivity tracking, service level and
inventory variance, which provided a focus on departmental accountability and cost control.
Developed standard operating procedures for receiving, stocking, order selection and shipping.
Established formalized employee orientation and safety training program.
Implemented cycle counting procedures.
EMPIRE CANDLE, INC., Kansas City, Kansas 1998 to 2000
A major poured candle manufacturer and a subsidiary of Diamond Brands, Inc. A $20 million enterprise
specializing in the manufacture of scented and citronella candles for all seasons and occasions.
Plant Manager
In charge of all manufacturing, distribution, purchasing, human resources, maintenance, O.S.H.A.
compliance, safety management, internal reporting and general administration. Recruited to improve a
difficult turnaround situation created by an LBO from Parent Corporation. Responsible for 7 direct reports
and up to 200 indirect reports.
Improved on time and accurate deliveries.
Orchestrated a dramatic (100%) improvement in productivity during the first three months of
employment.
Dropped customer returns due to quality defects.
Lowered raw and finished goods inventory.
Eliminated lost time accidents during the entire term of employment
Reduced operational costs.
Managed a team of direct reports including Human Resource Manager, Director of Purchasing,
Production Superintendent, Maintenance Superintendent, Warehouse Manager, Inventory
Coordinator and Master Scheduler.
Presented monthly business review to parent company senior management team and CEO.
EDUCATION
M.A. Management, Webster University, 1991
B.S., Industrial Technology, emphasis is Machine Parts Drafting, Southwest Missouri State University, 1982
* Six Sigma/Lean Black Belt, Villanova University
February 20, 2013.
Contact this candidate