Manager Continuous Improvement
Resume:
Jim Houge Page *
Jim Houge, P.E.
Columbus, WI 53925
********@*****.***
August 24, 2014
Glassdoor
Milwaukee, WI
RE: Continuous Improvement Manager position
Dear Sir/Madame:
I am confident that my expertise in all aspects of Continuous Improvement, success in leading cross-functional
teams, training and mentoring, developing a culture of improvement, implementing new and improved processes
under ISO in regulated and multi-facility businesses would be an asset to your organization. Please consider me for
the Continuous Improvement Manager position that you recently posted on your web site.
I have extensive experience in areas required to be successful in this position. Examples include:
Over 10 years’ experience designing and managing a wide variety of successful process implementation and
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improvement projects under ISO with a range of manufacturers including food and medical devices, and
their supply chains, reducing variation and cost, and improving efficiency, effectiveness and outcomes.
Excellent facilitation, communication, and presentation skills resulting in effectively influencing and
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negotiating with teams at all levels of an organization from senior management to entry level workers.
Experience creating multi-level messages to effectively communicate objectives so that they are understood
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and deemed relevant throughout the organization.
Experience in reducing variation, errors, and scrap through improvement in training materials and methods
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as well as introduction of visual SOPs.
Formal training in Facilitation, Hoshin Planning, DISC, Meyers-Briggs, and other adult learning tools.
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Certificate in Project Management as well as Certification in Lean and Lean/Sigma (currently in ASQ Black
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Belt Certification process).
Experience with MS Office including Visio, Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Access, Publisher, Outlook and
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Project, Lotus Notes, Minitab, AutoCAD 13, and SAP.
I look forward to learning more about the position available and your organization during a personal interview. I am
confident that I can be a valuable addition to your organization. Please contact me at the phone number listed above
to schedule an interview.
Sincerely,
Jim Houge, P.E.
Jim Houge, P.E.
Columbus, WI 53925
Jim Houge Page 2
608-***-**** • ********@*****.***
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Strategically oriented, results driven Continuous Improvement leader with a proven record of
successfully designing, implementing, and improving sustainable processes,
reducing variation, errors, cost and waste.
CORE COMPETENCIES
Training and Mentoring • DOE • TPM and OEE • Project Management • Value Stream Mapping (VSM)
Alignment of Metrics • Cross-functional team Facilitation • Visual Workplace • Hoshin planning
Kanban • SMED • CAPA • Validation • DMAIC • PFMEA • Standard Work • 5S
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
BECTON DICKINSON DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEMS, Madison, WI November 2009 to April 2014
A leading global medical technology company that manufactures medical devices, instrumentation systems, reagents, and
culture media.
Lean Leader and Engineering Manager
Site responsibility for design, implementation, and continuous improvement of processes to manufacture and packaging
of in-vitro diagnostic medical devices and environmental monitoring media under ISO and cGMP, as well as
Sustainability.
• Improved output per total plant headcount by 23% through reduction of scrap and rework.
• Reduced transactional errors in the value stream by 65% through improved training and introduction of visual SOPs.
• Documented savings in excess of $831,000 in targeted projects reducing errors, waste, and labor content.
• ROI for projects ranged from 4 to 18 months.
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR August 2008 to November 2009
Designed and implemented specialized training and sustainable business process improvements to achieve client performance
goals and cost reductions.
• Developed and trained staff in customized planning and execution process to reduce variation and lead time for a
major DOD Equipment refurbishing depot in Pennsylvania.
WISCONSIN MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP (WMEP) April 1996 to August 2008
Provider of expert and accessible services in the areas of growth and innovation, continuous improvement, training, export
assistance, supply chain management and profitable sustainability.
Manufacturing Specialist
Led projects with Midwestern manufacturers designing and implementing a wide variety of interrelated improvements in
processes throughout their organizations using Lean, Six Sigma, QRM, TOC and other methodologies.
• Designed and Implemented customized enterprise-wide Process Improvement program (9 facilities), trained site
leaders, and mentored them in initial 2 years of projects.
• Successful projects with more than a dozen large manufacturers and their supply chains in sponsored projects.
• Documented aggregate savings for my clients of more than $93 million.
EDUCATION / PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (Co-op at Rockwell-Collins), Marquette University
Master of Science – Interdisciplinary, Marquette University
Project Management Certificate – Univ. of WI - 2013
Lean/Sigma Certification - 2013
Lean Certification - 2011
The Natural Step “Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development” training
Registered Professional Engineer in Wisconsin
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