Gregory A. Norris
*** ****** ***** *** **********, Kentucky 40223
859-***-**** ******@***.***
MANUFACTURING MANAGER
Lean / Six Sigma / Toyota Production System / JIT / Heijunka / Judoka /
Welding / Robotics / Plant Startup / 5S
Product Launch / Quality / Union & Non-union / Process Design / Kaizen /
Supervision / OEM
I excel at developing, implementing and managing high volume, high quality
production systems to ensure continuous manufacturing successes. My strong
experience in project life-cycle management allows me to be an expert in
anticipating problems and setting corrective actions to overcome production
roadblocks. I am known for...
. Launching and managing near perfect production processes
. Maximizing production, eliminating material waste and lowering labor
requirements
. Building high productivity, low turnover production teams
. Introducing quality and safety controls
. Integrating new product manufacturing into existing facilities
With dedication and a never ending supply of energy, I think outside the
box to get the job done right the first time. I am an exceptional
communicator and problem solver. My hands-on leadership approach is
balanced with my high performance team management. I posture assets to do
more with less, a talent others admire.
CAREER HISTORY
Daiwa America, Inc./Mitchell Plastics Charlestown (January 2013-December
2013)
Pre-production Engineer in an injection molding facility (contracted
through Aerotek Engineering)
. Charged with launching major model change for Toyota Corolla
o Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada
o Toyota Motor Manufacturing Mississippi
. Introduced minor model change of Toyota Tundra
o Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas
o Toyoda Gosei Texas
o Johnson Control
. Laredo, Texas
. Ramos, Mexico
General Electric Appliance Park (October 2011-January 2013)
. Continuous Improvement Leader in Refrigeration Division
. Coach and develop first group of Team Leaders in GE history
. Implement principles of TPS into a union environment
. Launch latest technology French door refrigerator
NHK Spring Precision of America (November 2010-August 2011)
. Manufacturing Supervisor
o Supervise daily production in a manufacturing environment
People Strategy Consulting (August 2009-November 2010)
. Senior Consultant
. Provide strategic solutions to manufacturing and office environments
using principles of TPS
TPS Solutions LTD (February 2005-July 2009)
Senior Consultant, a $1M Lean management consulting company, 2005 to 2009.
Delivered Lean productivity program solutions for government, aeronautic,
transportation, automotive and golf product clients. Managed projects from
value stream mapping to feasibility to final completion. Introduce the
Principles of Lean Manufacturing and the Toyota Production System in a
classroom setting.
. Chrysler Corporation: Led the instruction/introduction of 1700 union
and salaried employees in Chrysler's Smart Manufacturing System
teaching the principles of the Toyota Production System and Lean
Manufacturing. Administered a two day simulation using Standard Work
Instruction, Practical Problem Solving, Kaizen, Just in Time delivery,
Waste Reduction and Inventory Control.
Belvidere Assembly Plant, Belvidere, Il and Newark Assembly Plant,
Newark, DE.
. United States Air Force: Lead classroom instructor in Toyota
Production System and Lean Manufacturing principles for while
streamlining maintenance operations on the home front.
Instructor/trainer in practical application of Lean Principles
(Practical Problem Solving, Kaizen, Inventory Reduction and Just in
Time Delivery.
Dover Air Force Base, Dover, DE and Travis Air
Force Base, Fairfield, CA
. Textron Corporation: Augusta, GA. Led reorganization of manufacturing
facility for E-Z GO Golf Cart Division through introduction of Toyota
Production System principles. Reduced manufacturing footprint by 60%
and increased quality acceptance rate 55% in six months.
. Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Led reorganization of maintenance work
processes through introduction of Toyota Production System principles.
Increased Operation Efficiency by 25% while eliminating need for
headcount addition. San Francisco Transportation District, San
Francisco, CA
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky, Inc. (December 1987-January 2005)
. SEVENTEEN YEARS PERFECT ATTENDANCE
. TWO YEARS TRAINING FLAGSHIP FACILITY IN JAPAN
. CERTIFIED PROBLEM SOLVING INSTRUCTOR
Assistant Manager of Production and New Model Launch (April 1997-January
2005)
. Project manager for introduction and launch of Solara Convertible Line
. Process engineering; layout development
. Approve development and implementation of Standardized Work, Just-In-
Time delivery, manpower requirements and SQCP standards
. Design, review and approval of Japanese sourced equipment
. Supervise Body Operations Pilot Group machine trials in Japan
. Integrate new product line into current production assembly line
. Project manager for relocation of existing assembly processes to
facilitate the introduction of GBL
. Manage SOP of relocated processes including complete Standardized Work
revision and Team Member re-training
. Supervise daily operations of Body Operations
. Establish organization for Body III, a new unit of Body Operations
Group Leader of Body Operations Pilot Group and Production (January 1990-
April 1997)
. Assistant Production Project Manager for three major model change
projects
. Completed five month Pilot Group Training in Japan
. Supervised introduction of three major model launches
. Selected and trained Pilot Group Team Members
. Authored internal publication, Pilot Team Member Handbook, to guide
Team Members working and traveling abroad
. Mentored Group Leader candidates
. Supervised launch of second shift production
. Initiated shift to shift communication system
. Scheduled Team Member training and development, vacation and
production scheduling, OSHA and Toyota certifications
. Trained Team Members in the philosophy of Japanese work and societal
culture
. Supervised daily operations of group
. Accepted voluntary transfer to underperforming groups to improve Body
Operations productivity
Team Leader of Production (December 1987-January 1990)
. One month training in Japan for introduction of Toyota Production
System philosophy and process training
. Eight month class room and practical training
. Trained first shift Team Members in process Standardized Work,
Quality, Safety, Cost and Productivity standards
Education
University of Louisville BS Workforce Leadership 2014
Villanova University
Northwood University
Bishop David High School
Training
Toyota Certified Training:
Standardized Work Active Listening
Quality Control Speaking So Other Will Listen
Workplace safety Meeting Facilitation
Kaizen Problem Identification
Andon Problem Resolution
Visual Control Practical Problem Solving I and II
Job Instruction Training Inventory Management
Kanban Jidoka
Work Flow Heijunka
Takt Time 5S
Just-In-Time delivery Conflict Management
Philosophy of Efficiency Progressive Corrective Action
Coaching for Performance Workplace Violence
Targeted Selection