Operations Manager

WENDY S. PANARO

**** *. ***** ******, *********, WI 53222 414-***-**** ****@******.***

OPERATIONS MANAGER

Accomplished and versatile professional with extensive experience in all aspects of business operations. Proven

ability to successfully manage multiple complex projects simultaneously. Reputation for providing stability and

direction in the midst of chaotic circumstances. Provides leadership and support to all aspects of business, including

client relations, vendor management, strategic planning, procurement/logistics, HR, regulatory compliance, and job

costing analysis. Outstanding work ethic coupled with strong communications and leadership skills.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Strategic Planning ● Budget Management ● Negotiations ● OSHA Compliance ● Operational Management

Vendor Relations ● Process Improvements ● Union Relations ● Training/Development ● Inventory Management

Procurement ● Scheduling/Reporting ● Team Leadership ● Supervision ● Problem Solving ● CRM ● MS Office Suite

PROFESSIONAL EXPER IENCE

NOVA SYSTEMS, INC., Milwaukee, WI 2008 - 2014

Operations Manager

Delivered direction for daily operations of engineers, technicians, and administrative staff

Cultivated and sustained customer relationships

Oversaw payroll operations, recruiting, and HR functions

Managed domestic and international procurement and shipment of supplies and end products

Utilized AT Task software to track schedules, budgets, and resource allocation

Conducted weekly production meetings to review current and future projects, address billing and performance

issues, and maintain smooth information flow among team members

Responded to customer requests and scheduled on-site service calls

Collaborated with senior management to develop strategic direction and maintain compliance with regulatory,

quality, and safety standards

Responsible for timely and accurate customer invoicing, A/P, A/R and the signing o f company checks

Processed overdue account activity including communications, collection agency, and legal actions

Served as primary contact for Control System Integrators Association (CSIA) three year contract renewal

Key Accomplishments:

Provided project management and oversight to all active company projects

Identified and prioritized key responsibilities and business practices to maximize operational efficiency and

minimize lead time

Successfully resolved all past due accounts to date

Implemented highly effective new customer account procedures, including entry of initial data, processing

credit applications, and acquisition of tax exempt information prior to any work being done; achieved 100%

compliance

GKN SINTER METALS, Germantown, WI 2007

Maintenance and Facilities Manager

Led 20 employee team working four 12 hour shifts in 24/7 maintenance operations

Provided support to a lean manufacturing facility; managed a $225K monthly budget

Chaired various problem solving teams; reviewed standard work practices and analyzed lost time

Initiated and ran Kaizen maintenance events featuring 5S and visual management resulting in accurate work

area labeling and chemical storage

Key Accomplishments:

Worked effectively with Materials, Planning, and Logistics Manager to improve preventative maintenance

compliance from 0% to 50% within five months

Implemented maintenance management software program to rectify critical spare parts inventory shortfall

and increase OEE

Implemented a primary visual display board to facilitate communication between maintenance operations and

management

WENDY S. PANARO, Page 2

SANDERS BROS., INC., Gaffney, SC (contracted to work at Kohler, CO., Kohler, WI) 2005 - 2007

Site Superintendent (Maintenance Manager/Supervisor)

Managed deployment and performance of up to 12 employees in support of maintenance and facility work for

primary customer, Kohler

Delivered operational support through procurement, communicating customer expectations, providing

performance feedback, and tracking issue resolution

Provided safety oversight for all jobs; used job safety analysis forms, STOP intervention cards, daily stretching

sessions, and weekly safety meetings

Interfaced with customers to establish scope of work, timelines, production scheduling, and status reporting

expectations

Worked under contract with Kohler to create preventativ e maintenance processes and procedures and develop

spare parts inventory lists

Produced customer quotes for budgetary considerations and comparison

Leveraged vendor relationships for market penetration and business development

Key Accomplishments:

Directed workflow scheduling and resource management; increased billable hours 25%

Reduced safety incidents by more than 75%

Maintained 35% profit margin on all projects

Responded to emergency needs as required

GREENDALE SCHOOL DISTRICT, Greendale, WI 2002 - 2003

Director of Buildings, Grounds, and T ransportation

Oversaw work assignment and performance of 28 unionized maintenance and custodial staff caring for five

school properties with two shifts

Managed multiple vendor contracts and coordinated shared services

Responsible for managing $1.7M budget

Key Accomplishments:

Negotiated natural gas purchasing contract, saved $2 per decatherm over spot market pricing

Managed indoor air quality issue resulting from mold in a classroom

Led multiple re-roofing projects during summer of 2002

P&H MINING EQUIPMENT – HARNISCHFEGER, Milwaukee, WI 1998 - 2002

Senior Manufacturing Engineer, 2001 - 2002

Delivered project management and engineering support for mining shovel manufacturer during company

restructure

Key Accomplishments:

Supervised $.5M conversion of NC control to state of the art CNC

Maintenance Supervisor/Preventative Maintenance Engineer, 1998 - 2001

Devised and implemented preventative maintenance procedures to minimize process bottlenecks and optimize

critical equipment utilization; produced up to 53% savings

Instituted operator maintenance procedures and developed critical spare parts inventory process

Championed Total Productive Maintenance; served on ergonomics committee, safety committees, and oversaw

natural gas purchasing and energy management initiatives

E DUCATION

Milwaukee School Of Engineering, Milwaukee, WI, Master of Science, Engineering Management

Milwaukee School of Engineering, Milwaukee, WI, Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering Technology

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, Green Bay, WI, Associate Degree, Mechanical Design

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMEN T

Supply Animal Assisted Activities and Therapy with Pet Partners registered therapy cat, Dexter

Serve as ambassador for human/animal healing bond by volunteering for numerous activities including: Word s

for Whiskers reading program, nursing home visits, day programs for mentally and physically challenged

adults, college campus activities, health fairs, and after school programs

Contact this candidate