Paul McKnight

**** ******* ****** ***** ● Shelby, NC 28150

● Mobile 704-***-**** ● accfty@r.postjobfree.com

Senior Manufacturing Manager / Business Unit Leader / Technical Leader

Results oriented Senior Operations Leader with proven track record of exceeding goals and

providing innovative solutions to business and technical challenges. Highly effective leadership

and motivational skills support the development of cohesive teams in the achievement of strategic

goals.

● Core Competencies ●

Six Sigma Green Belt ~ Business Planning ~ Contracts Administration ~ Cost Management

LEAN Manufacturing ~ Financial Analysis ~ Project Management ~ Safety Programs

Quality Assurance (ISO9000) ~ Logistics ~ Supplier / Vendor Management ~ Customer Service

Facilities Management ~ Sales Team Management ~ Environmental Compliance

● Professional Experience ●

Manroy Defense Systems – Spindale, NC 2012 – Present

Director of Facilities and Corporate Compliance

Maintained overall responsibility for all corporate facilities and assets, including security, safety, IT,

outside contractors, and the maintenance of government property. Chief officer overseeing

compliance with all government agencies and contracts. Responsible for ISO 9001 certification,

internal auditing, and compliance.

Nilit America, Inc. - Ridgeway, VA

Plant Manager 2008 - 2011

Maintained full responsibility for 30MM lbs. Nylon fiber facility including Manufacturing,

Engineering, Maintenance, Quality Assurance, Logistics, Customer Service, and Warehousing.

• Increased effective capacity of key product line by 35% through debottlenecking and

Improved Maintenance practices.

• Designed and installed process water recycling system that reduced utilities costs by

$150,000 per year.

• Implemented and managed quality initiative with key joint venture customer. A 50%

reduction in visual defects and packaging issues was achieved via process mapping and

follow up emphasis on key problem areas.

AZDEL, Inc. [a G. E. Plastics / PPG Industries joint venture] – Shelby, NC

General Manager – Global GMT 2006 - 2007

Served as Global Business Unit Leader for GMT (Glass Mat Thermoplastic) product line ($25MM

business). Also maintained full management responsibility for US GMT manufacturing facility.

• Coordinated training and provided leadership for implementation of LEAN Manufacturing.

Realized first year’s savings of over $250,000.

• Designed business reorganization and product rationalization.

General Manager – GMT North America 2002 – 2006

Leader of the GMT Business Unit in North America with full P/L responsibility in addition to full

management responsibility for US manufacturing plant operations.

• Oversaw implementation of Six Sigma Methodology in US Manufacturing, Sales, and

Customer Service.

• Re-staffed and re-trained US Sales and Marketing Team.

• Achieved 25% sales increase in first year through staffing re-alignment and focus on key

products / customers.

Plant Manager 2001 - 2002

Maintained overall responsibility for the US GMT manufacturing facility. Responsibilities included

Production, Maintenance, Safety, Quality Assurance, Logistics, Raw Material Purchasing,

Production Scheduling, and North America Customer Service.

• Established tolling relationship with natural fiber company to utilize excess capacity.

Managed all aspects of this relationship (pricing, customer service, engineering quality,

etc.).

• Established Customer Service measurable to track Total Inventory Value and Order to

Fulfillment Span.

• Expanded use of recycle material at an annual cost savings of $700,000.

Operations Manager 1997 - 2001

Provided manufacturing leadership for US GMT manufacturing facility including, Safety,

Maintenance, Quality, Logistics, and Production Planning.

• Reduced OSHA Recordable Rate from >25 to 2.5 during 4 year initiative which focused on

hazard awareness and personal responsibility.

• Achieved G.E. Plastics Six Sigma Green Belt status.

• Improved Manufacturing yields to 91% from 86% with key initiatives focusing on operating

philosophy, process control practices, relationships with raw materials suppliers, and key

operating parameters. Achieved $600,000 annual savings.

Production Superintendent 1992 - 1997

Maintained overall responsibility for Manufacturing operations and Quality.

• Achieved ISO 9002 registration. Served as primary Manufacturing resource for

maintaining the Quality System.

General Electric Plastics / Borg-Warner Chemicals – Washington, WV

Process Manager – Finishing 1991 - 1992

Direct operations responsibility for ABS (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene) compounding, including

color formulation, QC, and packaging. Budget and staffing responsibilities; planning.

Site Color Control Manager 1987 - 1991

Responsible for all aspects of finished product (ABS pellets) color quality control. Budget and

staffing responsibilities, long-range planning, significant customer interface.

Manager – Standard Resins 1986 - 1987

Direct operations responsibility for standard resins (ABS emulsion polymerization) produced at the

site; roughly 50% of plant capacity. Budget and staffing responsibilities, long-range planning.

Process Manager – Polymerization 1984 - 1986

Direct operations responsibility for ABS resin plant (roughly 25% of plant capacity). Budget and

staffing responsibilities, long range planning.

Group Engineer II – Polymerization 1982 - 1984

Responsible for general engineering support to polybutadiene and ABS resin plants, including the

implementation of SPC methodology, trouble-shooting, and process optimization.

Project Engineer 1979 – 1982

Responsible for the design, cost estimating, procurement, and construction phases of expense

and capital improvement projects at the plant level.

● Other Qualifications ●

Past member of The Cleveland / Rutherford County Executive Roundtable. Provided support

and counseling for local businesses on legislation related to labor relations and business

development.

Past volunteer to the Cleveland County Chamber of Commerce Work Force Development

Council. Advised local Community College (Cleveland Community College) on curriculum and

programs to better prepare graduates for success as they entered the local work force.

Served on the Board of Directors for the Life Enrichment Center and The Arts Council, both

in Cleveland County, NC.

● Education ●

M.B.A. – West Virginia University

• Honor Graduate

B.S. Chemical Engineering – Ohio University

• Honor Graduate

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