ROBERT A. HAYS

**** ****** **** *** **, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546 616-***-****

aceiu7@r.postjobfree.com

QUALIFICATION SUMMARY

INTERNATIONAL LEADER EXECUTIVE MANAGER OPERATIONS

Dynamic management executive with 20+ years’ experience. Expertise in manufacturing, global business, new business development,

and turnarounds. Proven ability to lead diverse teams in highly competitive global markets including store fixtures, point of purchase

displays, office furniture, and electronics. Demonstrated skill in analyzing critical business requirements, identifying deficiencies and

potential opportunities, and developing cost effective solutions to enhance competitiveness and increase profits.

Areas of Expertise:

BUDGET PREPARATION CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS FINANCIAL ANALYSIS IMPLEMENTATION INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT P&L RESPONSIBILITY PROCESS IMPROVEMENT STRATEGIC PLANNING TEAM BUILDING

CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS

Developed and implemented strategic plan resulting in 30% growth in profitable revenue, driven by new customers and new

product innovations.

Developed strong cohesive teams and established new culture both domestically and in China by top grading, mentoring, and

selective separations.

Led fixture company through successful workout process, resulting in strong core business and new financing.

Developed strong high level relationships with leading customers in store fixtures, office components and POP displays.

Implemented program driving new culture, operator involvement, training, and KPI’s resulting in $3.5 million in annual savings

using lean and continuous improvement strategies.

LEGGETT AND PLATT 2003 TO PRESENT

PRESIDENT, OFFICE COMPONENTS DIVISION, GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN 2009 TO PRESENT

Maintained P/L responsibility for $55 million revenue base composed of office components products, with operations located in

Grand Rapids, Michigan and Guangzhou, China. Supervised a total of 550 salaried and hourly employees. Directed processes

including distribution, stamping, aluminum die casting, injection molding, welding, and assembly of a wide range of office furniture

components.

Hired and developed a transition management team in China operations to move from a joint venture to a wholly owned subsidiary.

Drove revenue growth by 30% by introducing new products and developing new customers.

Enhanced and implemented systems for sales and operations planning, continuous improvement, safety, quality and lean

manufacturing.

PRESIDENT, DISPLAY UNIT, CARTHAGE, MISSOURI 2006 TO 2008

Maintained profit and loss responsibility for $106 million unit with operations in China, Mexico, England, Chicago, and San

Francisco.

Implemented new strategic plan centered on centralized purchasing and market segmentation (FMCG and Premium).

Expanded global sales strategy with major international brands including Nike, Proctor and Gamble, and PepsiCo with 40%

revenue growth.

Developed global supply chain capable of supporting growth.

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS, FIXTURE AND DISPLAY GROUP 2003 TO 2006

Provided operations leadership for 30 manufacturing plants accounting for $1billion in revenue. Oversaw group management of

capital, quality, continuous improvement, budgeting, strategic planning, and mergers / acquisitions.

ROBERT A. HAYS

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Led successful acquisition and integration of $20 million manufacturer of metal forming, wire forming, and plating located in

Kunshan, China.

Implemented consolidation plan for 11 branch acquisitions with incremental sales increase of $170 million.

ROBERT A. HAYS

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RM GROUP, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 2000 TO 2003

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Maintained profit and loss responsibility of $70 million privately held, multi plant OEM manufacturer specializing in design,

prototype, and volume production of wood and metal retail fixtures, signs, and wall systems. Drove hard turnaround of financially

distressed group of unionized and non unionized companies. Achieved return to long term profitability and established solid financial

base on which to grow company.

Restructured operations to reduce costs by $7.7 million annually.

Cut inventory by 33% and negotiated new financing.

HARTING, INC., CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 1997 TO 2000

PRESIDENT / CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Recruited to develop and deploy strategic profitability and growth plan for $47 million US subsidiary of privately held German

company making electronic connectors. Transferred processes from parent company in Germany and set up Greenfield operations in

US facility.

Achieved 25% growth, and increased productivity by 30%.

Redesigned marketing and sales functions, and achieved ISO 9001 certification.

EMPAK, INC., COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO 1992 TO 1997

MANAGING DIRECTOR, INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS 1993 TO 1997

Reported to Board of Directors of joint venture company formed with Marubani (Japan). Developed international sales and marketing

organization. Established worldwide applications engineering network and regional sales offices in Germany, Malaysia, Taiwan,

China, Singapore, and Korea.

Delivered exponential growth in market share moving from $7 million to $47 million over 4 year period.

Increased margins by judiciously adjusting product mix and launching several new yield enhancing products based on advanced

materials and design.

DIVISION MANAGER 1992 TO 1993

Recruited on executive loan program from Monsanto to execute start up of new automated injection molding facility in Colorado

Springs, Colorado. Leveraged expertise in manufacturing management and quality systems to deliver a world class, ISO certified, self

directed work team based manufacturing operation in a clean room environment.

MONSANTO COMPANY, ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI

MANAGER OF QUALITY ASSURANCE

MANUFACTURING MANAGER

EDUCATION

M.B.A. in Operations Management. Washington University / Olin Business School. St. Louis, Missouri.

M.S. in Mechanical Engineering. Missouri School of Science and Technology. Rolla, Missouri.

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. University of Missouri. Columbia, Missouri.

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