Kenneth J. Gulick
*** ****** ****** ( Marietta, OH 45750
740-***-**** ( ********@*****.***
Operations Manager
Production ( Engineering ( Supply Chain Management ( R&D ( Quality
( Logistics
... Analysis, Process Improvement, Planning & Project Management Expertise
...
Skilled operations expert with well developed management skills and wide-
ranging experience identifying opportunities for improvement and
brainstorming potential solutions. Known for wisely allocating resources to
improve quality, outcomes, throughput and service; applying lean management
and lean manufacturing approaches to achieve corporate strategic and
financial goals.
Areas Of Expertise
Establishing Metrics Production Planning & Process Improvement
Relationship Building Scheduling Technical Standards
Operating/Capital Budget Development
Cost Reductions Administration Turnarounds & Expansion
Product Line Troubleshooting & Problem Strategic Business Planning
Management Solving
P&L Responsibility Product Development & Productivity Improvement
Inventory Management Implementation Theory of Constraints
Cost Review & Financial
Statements
Project Development &
Implementation
Career Highlights
- Transformed production from batch to modular manufacturing using lean
manufacturing tools including 5S, Kaizen, Visual Factory, and Kanban.
Results included reducing average lead time from 4 weeks to 1.5 weeks with
next day capabilities, and reducing work-in-process (WIP) over 50% ($1.1
M). Manufacturing and Logistics Manager, Mustang Survival
- Increased output 20% for workforce of 180 by improving first pass yield
from 85% to over 98% through method changes, equipment improvements and
product design changes using lean manufacturing tools. Engineering and
Quality Assurance Manager, Kent Sporting Goods
- Developed new raw material and finished goods inventory strategies that
led to reducing inventory by over 50% ($4.5M). Manufacturing and Logistics
Manager, Mustang Survival
- Turned around acquisition operated as standalone operation by managing
costs, improving productivity and increasing revenues. Increased
operating margin from $750k loss to $500k profit. Applied TOC to direct
labor. Operations Manager, Mustang Survival
- Instituted market category and product plans, upgraded project approval
process, consolidated project tracking process and established project
metrics. Research & Development Manager, Mustang Survival
Career Chronicle
PACTIV CORPORATION (www.pactiv.com) - Mineral Wells, WV
Privately held consumer and food service/food packaging manufacturer with
$23 B/yr sales. Non-Union workforce.
Continuous Improvement / Quality manager (2011 - present)
Led continuous improvement initiative and implementation of Toyota
Production System, and directed Quality in APET extrusion and thermoforming
plant. 7 direct reports.
o Increased Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) 50% from 48% to 72% using
Toyota Production System - Tier meetings, Visual Factory charts (process,
quality, output), standard work, root cause analysis.
o Initiated process improvements and developed spreadsheets (scheduling,
scrap tracking, downtime tracking) resulting in finished goods inventory
reduction from 65 to 45 days on hand, and WIP reduction by 50%
($250,000).
o Reduced thermoforming tool changeovers from 4 hours to 2.5 hours through
a Kaizen event.
o Transitioning from US (AIB, Silliker) to International (BRC) food packing
standards. Revising quality manual to new format and standardizing with
other APET plants.
o Received HACCP certification and led annual program reviews.
Mustang Survival (www.mustangsurvival.com) - Elizabeth, WV & Burnaby, BC
Privately held corporation serving US and Canadian markets (1/3 recreation,
1/3 professional, 1/3 military). Designs and manufactures personal
protective clothing. Employed 355 and 3 off-shore suppliers with Cdn$42M/yr
sales.
Research & Development MANAGER (2008 - 2010)
Led/directed research, product development, quality, product technical data
management, industry standards and regulatory requirements. Maintained
joint P&L responsibility for corporation as part of senior management team;
developed/administered $1.2M R&D operating budget; helped
review/modify/approve $39M corporate operating plan. Reports: 20 (5
direct).
o Met corporate financial objectives despite economic downturn and changing
competitive landscape by revitalizing corporate strategy from product
leadership strategy to solutions provider strategy.
o Increased sales 5% above plan and decreased costs 10% below plan by
leading corporate initiative to boost EBITDA. Held brainstorming sessions
with middle management to identify opportunities, prioritize tasks, and
establish teams.
o Saved $340K from $1.5M R&D budget (22.7%) by laying off 4 technical
staff, 1 technical/administrative staff, and 1 product development
engineer, reducing travel and cutting sales samples.
o Instituted actively-managed market category plans and coordinated product
plans by leading integration of business development and product
development. Managed prioritized product project list based on economic
justification, capacity, operating budget and innovation ratio.
o Boosted product development engineers productivity by 25% from 40% to 50%
during a period of layoffs by increasing employee commitment through
reorganizing/clarifying roles and responsibilities/setting goals.
o Led development/approval of industry firsts: inflatable work vest/life
jacket and inflatable membrane PFD.
o Rescued implementation of new product data management software project by
restating purpose, redirecting project approach, and leading successful
completion on time and at budget.
o Drove industry harmonization of UL, CGSB, and ISO standards through PFDMA
Board and Transport Canada Life Saving Equipment Subcommittee.
o Developed/implemented CEO's vision for flexible/responsive product
development group (Velcro organization).
Manufacturing & Logistics Manager (2002 - 2008)
Headed all corporate supply chain management, including manufacturing,
purchasing, distribution, production planning, and maintenance in US and
Canada; developed and administered $25M operating budget for $40M sales.
Reports: 320 in 3 locations (5 to 12 direct).
o Introduced S&OP process to coordinate product development, marketing,
sales, production and outsourcing plans.
o Reduced in-house manufacturing lead time from 4 weeks to 1.5 weeks and
provided previously nonexistent next-day capability by instituting
Dynamic Production Schedule.
o Championed lean manufacturing (5S, Kaizen, Visual Factory, Kanban,
Process Mapping) including reorganization of a plant from batch
manufacturing in work areas to 14 modules designed to build 1-3 product
families with trade-offs for economies of scale and flexibility.
o Cut work in process >50% ($1.1M), increased working capital, and made
production more responsive to customer demands.
o Developed and presented corporate due diligence package that included
creating new financial model and manufacturing capability/performance
information.
o Slashed expenses $700K by laying off 10% of hourly workforce (30
personnel), incentivizing early retirements and topgrading 4 salaried
positions.
o Increased gross profit from 30% to 50% for $5M revenue in first year by
introducing manufacturing outsourcing for cost management to handle
competitive pressures and declining US dollar.
o Managed growing capacity requirements and tight labor market by directing
site selection team to choose location for 3rd manufacturing facility.
o Effectively addresses maintenance, productivity, speed, and quality
issues by investing $300k capital in equipment.
Operations Manager - WV Division (2000 - 2002)
Recruited by new ownership's Executive VP to manage transition to new
management team and run plant. Oversaw P&L, manufacturing, purchasing,
quality, safety, maintenance, finance, and accounting. Administered $5M
operating budget. Reports: 120 (5 direct).
o Built partnerships among distrustful factory workers with new management
and parent company through communication, consistent work practices, and
fair pay/benefits.
o Significantly boosted productivity, enhanced employee satisfaction, and
increased pay with no cost to company by creating/implementing
performance pay plan for factory workers and creating hiring and training
program in cooperation with WV Workforce Development.
o Increased revenue from $2.5M to $5.5M and operating margin from $750K
loss to $500K profit by managing costs, improving productivity and
increasing revenues.
o Reduced cycle time for critical operation from 20 to 6 minutes/piece and
improved first pass yield from 67% to 99.9% by purchasing/installing
$100K programmable sewing machine for <6 months payback.
o Developed bid, product cost, pricing, and delivery programs for DoD
government contracts.
Early Career
Kent Sporting Goods (www.kentwatersports.com) - New London, OH
Manufacturer of UL/USCG approved personal flotation devices (PFDs), boat
covers, towable watersport tubes, and sports team apparel for recreation
and commercial markets with $60M/yr sales.
Engineering & Quality Assurance Manager / Board of Directors (1994 - 2000)
Developed organization and SOPs that empowered group to handle day-to-day
business while managing manufacturing engineering, product development,
quality assurance, safety and maintenance. Managed UL/USCG relationships.
BATESVILLE CASKET COMPANY - Batesville, IN
Product Engineer (1992 -1994) Ready-to-Assemble Cremation Casket Patent
#5709016
Project Engineer, Formed Metal Products Group (1991)
Production Engineer, Fabrication Welding & Paint Departments (1989 - 1990)
Engineering Management Development Program (1988 - 1989)
Education
Xavier University - Cincinnati, OH - MBA (1994)
The Ohio State University - Columbus, OH - BS in Industrial & Systems
Engineering (1988)
Professional Affiliations
Personal Flotation Device Manufacturers' Association (PFDMA)
President (1997 - 1999), Board Member (1995 - 2000), (2008 - 2010)