Manager Project

Robert G. Smering, PE, PMP

** ********** **** 716-***-****

Buffalo, New York 14223 ********@*****.***

Professional Summary

Manager with 30 years of progressive leadership experience and a record of accomplishment in Facilities Management, Engineering, Sales, Environmental, Safety, Construction, and Maintenance. Professional Engineer with ISO systems and auditing experience.

Selected Skills:

• Global Project Management • Six Sigma Methodology • Lean Techniques

• Facilitating Cross-Functional Teams • Process Optimization • P&L Management

• Organizational Leadership • Strategic Planning/Budgeting • Cost Reduction

Professional Experience

Praxair, Inc. Tonawanda, New York 2006 – 8/2015

EDGE (Excellence in Design, Global Engineering & Execution) Program Manager (2011 – 8/2015)

Small Hydrogen Plant Team Manager (2010 - 2011)

Work to identify and implement Global Cost Estimating Templates, a Singular Deliverable Based Scheduling Methodology, a Global Code of Accounts, Weekly Global Time Sheets and standardized global training on Microsoft PWA 2010. Drive continuous improvement using Lean and Six Sigma principles. Adapt Lean Manufacturing principles into an Engineering environment.

Promoted into these specialized roles for successes in Cold Box Group.

Created, developed and lead a team that focused on smaller hydrogen plants worldwide.

Developed a Plant Selector Model & Global Suppliers List.

Prepared quotations, proposals and materials for large scale opportunities in Russia and China.

Project/Engineering Manager - Cold Box Group (2006 - 2010)

Led complex technical projects/programs for the Cold Box Group. Ensured compliance with Department Safety Program, interfaced with Engineering & Design Organization, participated in design review process for all new projects, developed accurate Resource Plan and staffing levels to meet project requirements. Managed proposals, budgets, schedules, and productivity performance.

Led Cold Box BP 25 Team in brainstroming sessions that assisted with design process & selection.

Improved processes in 2009 utilizing new Microsoft Project Web Access.

Created reporting systems that actively captured critical project/cost data.

Successfully handled up to 10 technical projects concurrently as the Project Manager.

Established a variance metric that clearly called out and tracked the required deliverables.

Helped to better determine the right level of details the Regions and Team need and value.

Lehigh Construction Group, Inc., Buffalo, New York 2004 - 2006

Operations Manager/Senior Project Manager

Directed operations of $40 million construction firm. Led, motivated, and established accountability for a direct staff of 38. Provided project management expertise, leadership, vision and support. Focused on safety, quality, implementation speed, customer satisfaction, cost-effectiveness and enhanced profitability.

Oversaw the successful completion of a $30 million new culture dairy plant, the company's largest project, within established budgetary constraints and without any recordable injuries.

Directed efforts that transitioned the firm significant losses to profitability within 18 months.

Reduced headcount; significantly improved cost structure without sacrificing efficiency/quality.

Implemented a Bid Decision Matrix system to choose the right projects and increase profitability.

Robert G. Smering Page 2

Professional Experience (continued)

FMC Corporation, Various Locations 1975 - 2004

Principal Project Manager - Buffalo, NY (2001 - 2004)

Led several high visibility corporate projects for $2 billion industrial chemical manufacturer. Utilized

multi-disciplinary expertise; interfaced with customers, suppliers, construction firms, environmental firms, regulatory agencies and employees across the US to ensure that project schedules/budgets were met. Provided on-going problem solving and presented project status to executive management.

Completed four successful voluntary remediation projects with over $600,000 in costs savings.

Successfully utilized a mercury recovery system that saved $400,000 in remediation costs.

Successfully completed a large phosphorous recovery effort with no injuries and below budget.

Division Responsible CAER Manager - Buffalo, NY (2000 - 2001)

Process Safety and Special Projects Manager - Buffalo, NY (1999 - 2000)

Sales and Operations Planning Manager - Buffalo, NY (1999)

Led the Active Oxidants Division efforts to achieve full compliance with OSHA and the US EPA. Completed investment of $20M in projects to restore and improve the facilities and processes.

Awarded 3 “Examples of Excellence” for Management System Verification by American Chemistry Council.

Achieved full compliance with OSHA Process Safety Management requirements.

Assisted with the introduction of SAP integrated business system into manufacturing.

Acting Plant Manager - Buffalo, NY (1998)

Production Manager - Buffalo, NY (1996 - 1998)

Directed daily plant production/operations and managed up to 130 people. Led the efforts to return this facility to much improved operations after a catastrophic fire.

Reduced fixed costs by 10% through workforce right sizing and utilization of strategic alliances.

Assisted in developing a self-directed workforce with no supervision on weekends and night shift.

Assisted in negotiating union contract; resulted in overtime pay reductions and increased flexibility.

Reduced recordable injuries from ten to two and lost time injuries from five to none, 1996 - 1998.

Production Coordinator - Philadelphia, PA (1995 - 1996)

Coordinated production volume assignments for two US, one Canadian, and one Mexican plant.

Joint Project Team Re-Engineering Consultant (1994 - 1995)

Maintenance, Purchasing, Stores Manager - Lawrence, KS (1991 - 1994)

Distribution Center Manager - Charlotte, NC (1987 - 1991)

Technical Sales/Service Engineer - Buffalo, NY (1975 - 1987)

Education

M.B.A. - University of North Carolina, 1992

B.T. - Electro-Mechanical Engineering - State University College at Buffalo, 1975

A.A.S. - Electrical Technology - Erie Community College, 1973

Certifications

Professional Engineer, New York and Kansas

Professional Development, Project Management Institute Buffalo, NY Chapter

Certified Plant Engineer, Association for Facilities Engineering

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