Luis N. Cuevas

*** ****** ** ** / **** **** 217-***-**** / 217-***-****

Grand Rapids, MI 49504 acd1lx@r.postjobfree.com

MANUFACTURING EXECUTIVE

OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN / PLANT MANAGEMENT / SINGLE & MULTI-FACILITY

**BILINGUAL SPANISH**

A bilingual Spanish U.S. Citizen with over 15 years of combined operations, plant management (single and multi facility, incl. Mexico), and

manufacturing engineering experience working in high volume, high speed assembly operations for the commercial and military light, medium,

and heavy duty vehicle markets and automotive industry; a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering; knowledge reading and interpreting blueprints

(GD&T) and customer specifications; a background in sales and business development, financials ( P&L), operational metrics (KPI), global

sourcing, materials, inventory control, quality, auditing, six sigma, kaizen/continuous improvement, TPS/lean manufacturing processes, and

HR/employee relations; and a command of the Spanish language (fully bilingual). Accomplished professional with an outstanding achievement

record focused on high value added processes, minimal inventory requirements, cost effectiveness, waste reduction, fast reaction, efficient floor

space, throughput time reduction, and material flow optimization. Excellent customer interaction and strong presentation skills with demonstrated

experience training all levels of staff. Highly developed project management skills and proven success of multiple program launches. A well

respected leader, acquainted with The U.S./Mexico border multi cultural environment, who leads by example with a “roll up your sleeves and get it

done” mentality.

PROFESSIONAL CAREER PATH

GENERAL MANAGER –NA & MEXICO OPERATIONS

RSB TRANSMISSIONS NA Homer, MI / Silao, MEXICO 2011 – 2014

A manufacturer of Automotive Transmission components (Machined Steel and Aluminum Casting, Axles, and Prop Shaft Assemblies)

with more than $400 million in annual revenue across facilities in India (HQ), Europe, US, and Mexico.

Manage the overall operational performance of the facility and hold full responsibility for safety, environmental, quality,

production, maintenance, purchasing, supply chain, engineering, program management, and employee relations.

Maintain close supervision over operations to assure coordination and integration of work flow, budgetary conformance, schedules

and optimum utilization of personnel, machines, equipment and facilities.

Lead operations with department heads to review customer production requirements and analyze performance data related to

productivity, utilization, efficiency, downtime, scrap, manning, inventory levels (raw material, in-process, and finished goods), and

property auditing, including factory, warehouse, and offices.

Responsible for P&L performance, financial statements reporting (MIS, IS, BS, and CF), budgets, and gap analyses. Define

objectives in each area of responsibility, direct and coordinate major projects such as expansions, acquisitions, installations of new

equipment, plant layout changes, and review the organization’s key metrics ( KPIs), including sales, EBITDA, material cost, labor

cost, manufacturing cost, etc.

Develop capital expenditure justifications/CAPEX, continuous improvement initiatives, action plans, prioritize short and long

term goals, assess status, and determine appropriate courses of actions.

Provide strategic leadership and oversight of all operations and manufacturing processes, including equipment, tooling and

infrastructure during the start-up and expansion of our Mexico facility, with USD 20 million of investment in two years.

Responsible for business development initiatives increasing sales revenue at our Mexico facility by 513% from start-up

operations of USD 2.2 million in 2011 to USD 13.5 million during FY 2012-13. Recently awarded programs are projected to

increase sales revenue another 26% from USD 13.5 million to USD 17 million during the 1st Quarter of FY 2014-15.

Plan, direct, and coordinate actions with purchasing and supply chain across the organization’s manufacturing facilities to develop

a global sourcing strategy, assess company's current spend and supply market, analyze total cost, identify suitable suppliers and

vendors, both domestically and in Low Cost Countries (LCC), and implement new supply structures at a global level within the

organization.

Conduct Kaizen and Lean Manufacturing meetings, presentations and training sessions in English and Spanish in order to

educate employees about internal auditing practices and the meaning of operational metrics (KPI), Gemba concepts, Chaku Lines

(Efficient Cell Arrangement), KanBAn Systems, etc.

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As a key player of the President's executive staff, I report out to the Board of Directors quarterly to disclose and review financial

information, budget deviations, gap analyses, additional investments and proposals, and impact of measures with respect to the

development and execution of strategic plans.

Direct Reports: Operations Manager, Controller, Sales/Business Development Manager, Human Resources Manager (at both

locations, US & Mexico), Quality Manager, Production Manager, Supply Base/Purchasing Manager, Program/Engineering

Manager, Maintenance Manager.

Report to: President/CEO

**Cofounder and Investor of Mini Indi, LLC in 2010. Grand Rapids, MI / Cornelius, NC.

OPERATIONS MANAGER/CORPORATE

FUEL SYSTEMS, LLC. Chicago, IL / Grand Rapids, MI 2007 – 2009

Fuel Systems SHUT DOWN operations in 2009, due to the crisis that has been devastating our economy.

A manufacturer of welded steel and aluminum fuel tanks, pressure vessels, and associated metal and plastic/injection molding components for

the commercial and military light, medium, and heavy duty vehicle markets.

Promoted and transferred to Corporate Headquarters in Grand Rapids, MI to provide strategic leadership and oversight of all

manufacturing and distribution processes across five (5) manufacturing facilities located in Chicago, IL, Springfield, OH,

Charlotte, NC, Wytheville, VA, and Saltillo, MEXICO.

Planned and directed senior management meetings with the Vice-President and Plant Managers across all manufacturing facilities

to review the overall status of organizational operations, including capital investment projects, in terms of safety, environmental,

quality, production, cost control, delivery, and employee relations.

Monitored P&L performance and led daily operations with Plant Managers to review built-to-schedule (BTS) production

requirements and analyze performance data related to productivity, utilization, efficiency, downtime, scrap, manning, and

inventory levels (raw material, in-process, and finished goods). Define and recommend objectives in each area of responsibility,

direct and coordinate major projects such as expansions, acquisitions, installations of new equipment, plant layout changes, and

review the organization’s key metrics (KPIs), including sales, EBITDA, material, labor, and supply costs. Develop capital

expenditure justifications, continuous improvement initiatives, action plans, prioritize short and long term goals, assess status, and

determine appropriate courses of actions.

Managed and lead a multidisciplinary team across the manufacturing site to ensure that facility operations are consistent with

OSHA health and safety standards. Identify initial environmental aspects of relevant significance in order to improve and reduce

the impact of operations, activities, products, and services on the environment by complying with applicable environmental laws

and policies, regulations, codes of practice, and other requirements to which the company subscribes. Conduct safety meetings,

presentations and training sessions in English and Spanish in order to educate employees about the hazards of an unsafe work

environment and improved housekeeping practices by maintaining a clean, orderly, and sanitary workplace.

Tier-1 Automotive Supplier to: GENERAL MOTORS, FORD, VOLVO, TOYOTA, FREIGHTLINER, OSHKOSH DEFENSE

PROGRAM MANAGER

THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA DIVISION Danville, IL 2002 – 2007

A manufacturer of Automotive engine powertrain / drive-train camshafts, crankshafts, steering-shafts and associated steel components

with more than $400 million in annual revenue

Directed and coordinated multiple TIER-1 programs and associated budgets for the automotive industry, using APQP/NMR

project management controls, tools, and processes to direct the organization and supervision of team-members throughout all

program phases. Effectively established multi-layered program schedules and event-driven plans to complete the work effort via

development of IMP (Integrated Master Plans) and IMS (Integrated Master Schedule) program structures, and proactively

monitored all program phases from inception to completion.

Tier-1 Automotive Supplier to: GM, FORD, HONDA, DAIMLER-CHRYSLER, HARLEY-DAVIDSON, VOLKSWAGEN.

PLANT MANAGER

AUTECH / NAVESA CONTROLS McAllen, TX / Radolfzell, Germany 1997 – 2002

A manufacturer of special machine, lean manufacturing assembly processes, and testing technology for the automotive and electronics

industries with facilities located in Europe and along the Texas/Mexico border

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Transferred from Autech GmbH in Germany to The U.S. to manage the overall operational performance of the facility and held

responsibility for all functions, including safety, environmental, quality, production, finance, purchasing, supply chain, and

employee relations. Led daily operations with department managers to review the production schedule and analyze performance

data related to productivity, efficiency, downtime, scrap, manning, and inventory levels (raw material, in-process, and finished

goods). Defined and recommended objectives in each area of responsibility and reviewed the organization’s key metrics, including

sales, EBITDA, material, labor, and supply costs. Monitored P&L performance and worked with German colleagues and senior

management at Corporate to identify new business development and operations initiatives.

Direct Reports: Five (5) Department Heads: Human Resources Manager, Production Manager, Supply Base/Purchasing Manager,

Engineering Manager, and Maintenance Manager.

PROFESSIONAL STRENGTHS & SPECIALTIES

Plant/Operations Management Single/Multi Plant P&L EBITDA Startup/Consolidations/Turnarounds Union & Non-

Union Strategic & Tactical Planning TPS/Lean Manufacturing/Continuous Improvement (Kaizen) Six-Sigma/5S

Kanban Quality Control/Auditing/QMS ISO9001, TS16949, ISO14001, OSHA Program/Project Management

APQP/NMR/EVMS New Product Introduction/PLM Phases International business experience Strategic Global Sourcing

Contract Negotiations Multi-cultural, Bilingual SPANISH ERP Systems: SAP/PRMS/EDI Military/Gov’t

EDUCATION

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE

Telecommunications ENGINEERING Barcelona, SPAIN Graduated: 1999

I attended the University Polytechnic of Catalonia (UPC) in Barcelona, one of the most prestigious universities in Spain, well-

known for its competitive screening and selection process of its students prior to admission, as well as, extremely challenging

curriculum. I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Telecommunication Engineering, majoring in Electronic Systems.

MASTER’S (MBA) PRE REQUISITES

Master’s in Business Administration Charleston, IL Year: 2006

Courses completed toward satisfying the pre-requisites for the Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) Program:

• Operations Management

• Management and Organizational Behavior

• Legal and Social Environment of Business

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT / CERTIFICATION

• Management and Leadership Skills for Supervisors and Managers. Rockhurst University.

• Six Sigma Blackbelt Training. Benchmark Six-Sigma.

• Quality Standards: ISO9001/TS16949, ISO14001 Excel Partnership, Inc.

• Product Life Cycle Management (PLM) Software Package.

• Advance Product Quality Planning (APQP) & Control Plan. Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG).

• Production Part Approval Process (PPAP). Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG).

• Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA). Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG).

Q-Das / QS-Stat / Minitab: Quality Control Statistical software package (SPC): Sample Analysis, Process

•

Capability, Measurement System Capability, and Reliability Analysis. Q-DAS Inc.

• IQRM / IQFMEA / APIS: FMEA, Process Flow Diagrams & Control Plan software packages. Qualitech International, Inc.

• ERP Systems: AS/400 PRMS and SAP software package & EDI Transmissions

• Proficient with computers and Statistical Control, Capability and Reliability Analysis, Visio Technical (Process

Plant Design), Lotus Notes R6, AutoCAD Mechanical, and all MS Software packages (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project,

Access/databases).

PLANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS & ACHIEVEMENTS

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REDUCED inventory 60% by increasing inventory turns and establishing a Kanban System focused on controlling daily

production requirements and incoming material.

ELIMINATED $800,000 of customer charge-backs and $1 million the first year in expedited shipping cost.

STRENGTHENED EBITDA to double-digits (% of Sales) by standardizing processes, introducing lean manufacturing

concepts, reducing TAKT time, and designing a new production layout.

SAVED over $500,000 per year by in-sourcing stamping operations within the organization.

ELIMINATED $600,000 in customer-induced material obsolescence inventory by negotiating with customer.

REDUCED quality defects from 126 to 97 ppm by consistently emphasizing and implementing CI/Kaizen activities focused on

process improvements, detection and prevention initiatives, rather than taking a reactive approach with a corrective actions

mentality.

PARTNERED with union representatives to eliminate smoking and alcohol abuse among employees reducing absenteeism

from 4.2% to 1.8% and improving team morale.

REDUCED safety recordable injuries to 0.9% (down from 3.2%) by training production personnel and establishing

expectations for a “safety-first” culture. Implemented small automated safety devices throughout 100% of operations.

DEVELOPED training guidelines to introduce Kaizen and Lean Manufacturing terms, definitions, formulas, and concepts of

critical business metrics, and conducted intensive training in English and Spanish for all production personnel who grated out

an average of 85%.

DEVELOPED a new Quality Management System (QMS) that was embraced by the entire organization, to improve and

ensure the effective planning, operation and control of processes that affected quality control procedures and policies.

DEVELOPED procedures and metrics to foster “5S” activities throughout 95% of operations in order for personnel to work

more effectively and productively due to a clean, orderly, and safe work environment.

ADDITIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS & ACHIEVEMENTS

PLANT START-UP of a new 50,000 Sq Ft manufacturing facility for RSB TRANSMISSIONS in Leon/Silao, MEXICO, in 2011.

SUPPORTED the OPENING and PLANT START-UP of a new 71,300 Sq Ft manufacturing facility for FUEL SYSTEMS, LLC in

Saltillo, MEXICO, in 2007.

ESTABLISHED and STANDARDIZED critical Operational and Financial METRICS throughout the entire organization by using

a lean-manufacturing principle called “Visual Management” which resulted in improved comprehension, and increased speed

reading when evaluating and interpreting company measures and metrics.

ACQUIRED a new PRODUCT LIFECYCLE MANAGEMENT System (PLM) to automate, integrate, and standardize the

organization’s key processes (Quality, Engineering, and Program Lifecycle Phases) throughout the entire organization.

Thank you in advance for your highest consideration of my application.

~ Luis N Cuevas

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