EDWARD STEWART
*** ****** ***** **********, ** **339
******************@*****.*** 989-***-****
PLANT MANAGEMENT
Problem Solving Quality Assurance Team Leadership
Over 15 years of progressive experience managing Production, Quality, Safety and Cost Control for 11 th
largest Dairy Co-op in the United States. Results-driven and dedicated with wide-range experience planning
and leading operations involving manufacturing environments. Track record devising, evaluating, and
implementing continuous process improvements to minimize waste and reduce costs while maximizing
quality and yield. Establish effective quality control and safety programs, encouraging proactive
participation across the manufacturing floor. Well-versed in all aspects of production including inventory
management, quality improvement, safety programs, scheduling and maintenance. A strong manager able to
train and motivate teams to peak performance. Areas of expertise include…
• • • Just-In-Time Productions (JIT)
Plant Expansion Project Team Building & Training
• • • Labor Negotiations
Regulatory Compliance Resource Allocation
• • • Policy/Procedure Development
Total Quality Management Cost Reduction/Avoidance
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Land O’ Lakes, Carlisle, PA, 01/2014 – Present
Operations Manager
Provide operational leadership for the production department for the largest fluid milk balancing plan on the
east coast. Establish operational policies and implement process improvements to ensure superior quality and
outstanding output of dairy production. Directly manage five production supervisors overseeing 100+
employees to include evaluations and merit reviews. Implement coaching, mentoring and training programs
to develop staff, facilitate efficiency, and improve performance. Manage departmental and capital expense
budget. Oversee scheduling and training of plant personnel. Assist Quality department with regulatory and
third party audits. Establish production schedules, define staffing requirements and ensure adherence to strict
quality control procedures.
Selected Contributions:
Lean Six Sigma Training.
8% Reduction in Material Yield Losses.
Improved Through Put and Raw Truck Turn Around.
Improved and Streamlined SOP and Forms Control and Review.
Involved with Two Major Equipment Start Ups.
Established New Plant Production Records While Reducing Plant Loss Time.
Level 3 HACCP Certification with Distinction.
EDWARD STEWART PAGE 2
Land O’ Lakes, Carlisle, PA, 07/2013 – 01/2014
Interim Plant Manager
During 6 month period filled two roles as Operations Manager and Interim Plant Manager. Responsible for
overall plant operations to include safety, P&L and material yield. Work with and coordinate with corporate
to ensure that business and customer needs are met. Final over site responsibility for $14,000,000.00 capital
budget. Partner with department heads to ensure functionality and continuous improvement for quality,
warehouse, production, maintenance and waste water treatment.
Selected Contributions:
Added $1.2 Million to P&L.
Improved Loss Time Injury Rate
Land O’ Lakes, Carlisle, PA, 08/2012 – 07/2013
Operations Manager
Steer and direct manufacturing operations. Establish operational policies and implement process
improvements to ensure superior quality and outstanding output of Dairy Production. Directly manage
supervisors overseeing hourly employees. Implement coaching and training programs to develop staff,
facilitate efficiency, and improve performance. Manage departmental and capital expense budget. Oversee
scheduling and training of plant personnel. Assist Quality Department with regulatory audits. Establish
productions schedules, define staffing requirements, and implement optimized procedures. Ensure adherence
to strict quality control procedures. Responsible for evaluations and salary increases of five direct reports.
Selected Contributions:
Reduce Material yield losses.
Improve butter production average of 14% on a per shift basis.
Improve individual operator training for new butter room employee’s.
Develop system to reduce truck wait time when plant volumes are high and increase equipment
efficiency when volumes are low.
Improve communications between milk dispatch, operations and cream procurement.
Michigan Milk Producers Association, Ovid, Michigan, 02/2010 – 08/2012
Production Manager
Steer and direct manufacturing operations that generate over $200M in annual sales. Establish operational
policies (SOP & HACCP) and implement process improvements to ensure superior quality and outstanding
output of Dairy Production. Directly manage seven supervisors overseeing 80+ unionized employees.
Implement coaching and training programs to develop staff, facilitate efficiency, and improve performance.
Manage departmental and capital expense budget. Oversee scheduling and training of plant personnel. Assist
Quality Department with regulatory audits. Establish productions schedules, define staffing requirements,
and implement optimized procedures. Ensure adherence to strict quality control procedures. Responsible for
evaluations and salary increases of seven direct reports.
Selected Contributions:
Maintained full operations during a 62 million dollar, two year plant expansion.
Plant awarded Dairy Foods 2010 Plant of the Year award.
Improved productivity 40% with only a 10% increase in labor costs.
Established new plant records for no lost time accidents.
Maintain constant communication with sales personnel to identify customer requirements and ensure
highest level of satisfaction.
Saved company over $10,000 in training costs.
EDWARD STEWART PAGE 3
Michigan Milk Producers Association, Ovid, Michigan, 02/1999 – 02/2010
Production Supervisor
Actively interfaced with vendors and upper management for order expediting, capacity planning, and
material forecasts for production operations. Developed production schedule for three-shift operation with 86
employees. Served on safety committee to maintain compliance with critical safety standards. Oversaw floor
operations. Coached and managed up to 35 direct reports for production operations.
Selected Contributions:
HAZWOPER team member.
Worked with vendors to improve appearance of product labeling.
Reduced packaging costs by 5% through improved vendor selection process.
United States Marine Corps, 10/1984 – 01/1999
Warrant Officer
Served as assistant Logistics Officer of 2 nd Force Service Support Group, Camp Lejeune, NC. Helped
organize three major deployments of up to 10,000 Marines. Finance and Accounting Officer responsible for
pay and travel entitlements for up to 5,000 marines. Disbursed Government funds. Responsible for security
of cash and other negotiable instruments up to $1M. Acted as Company Executive Officer leading up to 300
Marines. Developed and administered subordinate evaluations. Held a Secret Security Clearance. Selected
for meritorious advancement on two separate occasions due to exceptional leadership ability.
Selected Contributions:
Developed a travel pay computation system that reduced computation time and improved
productivity by 20%.
Combat Veteran, Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm.
Awarded various commendations to include two Navy Achievement Medals.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Masters of Business Administration with double concentrations in Leadership & Human
Resource Management
BAKER COLLEGE OF GRADUATE STUDIES – Flint, Michigan
Summa Cum Laude (4.0 GPA)
Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Management
BAKER COLLEGE - Owosso, Michigan
Summa Cum Laude (4.0 GPA)
Professional Development
Dale Carnegie training – Lean Six Sigma - Various Military Leadership Courses - First Responder – Level III
HACCP - Certified in CPR – HAZWOPER trained