CHAVIS E. FERGUSON

Atlanta, Georgia ***** 404-***-**** acryvr@r.postjobfree.com www.linkedin.com/in/chavisferguson

SUMMARY

Operations / Continuous Improvement / Business Recovery

A forward-thinking and results-driven leader with demonstrated expertise in continuous improvement, employee development, safety, capital deployment, sales, profit/loss and tactical capital investments. Established capabilities in procurement rationalization, supply chain maximization, strategic planning, Lean and Six Sigma. Adept at predicting, initiating, and managing change, while leading business recovery and growth across multiple industrial sectors. Fosters positive business relationships and enhances the reputation of the company to expand opportunities for increasing revenue and driving bottom-line results.

EXPERIENCE

CSM BAKERY SOLUTIONS, Atlanta, Georgia

Director of Operations, Atlanta Ingredients, 2014-2015 (Concurrent)

Tasked with leading a second plant of an additional six managers and an organization of 250 employees producing various baked goods and ingredients for industrial, retail, and food service customers. Functioned as co-leader for various strategic projects, including marketing leading and manufacturing efforts, while achieving lowest customer complaint rate in plant history.

Executing capital investment of $12,000,000 and proposing 15,000,000 in additional projects with ROI of 25%.

Resolved two longstanding quality issues and enhanced productivity, saving $3,400,000.

Delivered first-year improvements of 48% improvement in customer complaints and 47% improvement in waste streams.

Director of Operations, Houston Cake, Houston, Texas, 2014-2015 (Concurrent)

Led six managers and an organization of 250 employees producing decorated cakes and muffins for retail and food service customers across North America. Served as co-leader of North American Iced Cake Business Strategy (Profit/Loss) Improvement Team. Delivered best customer complaint rates in plant history while achieving profitability of the Houston Plant for first time in five years.

Efforts improved safety 60%, customer complaints 50%, and RMW by 55%.

Implemented Lean and Six Sigma Kaizen-driven processes, with over 25 projects completed.

SUGAR FOODS COMPANY, Villa Rica, Georgia

Villa Rica Bakery Plant Manager, 2012-2014

Oversaw five direct reports and 175 associates in privately held, non-union site, producing blended salad toppings for industrial, retail, and food service customers. Tasked with starting up a prototype bagging system, two new production areas, and the development of a strategic planning model. Facility recognized at annual meeting for performance improvements. Implemented over 50 ideas to commercialize the Mamata (prototype) Bagging System. Broke over 40 production records without capital investment.

Reorganized operations, improving productivity 22%, quality 35%, material yield 50%, and inventory accuracy 25% on greater complexity. Saved $2,000,000 annually.

Developed and implemented 20 new programs and processes touching all areas of facility, commercialized 40 new products, and led mobile technology initiative.

MCCORMICK & CO., INCORPORATED, Atlanta, Georgia

Industrial Division Continuous Improvement Director & Atlanta Plant Manager, 2009-2012

Managed eight direct reports and 165 employees in a non-union facility, inclusive of production and worldwide distribution of food service products. Achieved major customer awards from Wendy’s, Yum!, and McDonald’s, as well as the 2012 President’s Award for Safety. Recognized for moving from worst to first in safety and quality metrics, execution of a $4,000,000 plant expansion in eight months, and by Chick-Fil-A/Pilgrims for handling of Atlanta ice storm in 2012.

Oversaw five Black Belt managers responsible for continuous improvement deployment across North American Industrial Group sites, saving $3,000,000 annually.

Reorganized plant operations; achieved Level 3 SQF certification; improved safety TIR rate by 100%, quality performance by 40%, efficiency by 40%, and environmental performance by 50%; and led $6,000,000 in capital investment, including 100,000-sqf facility expansion.

Implemented low-cost supply planning model and improved formulation variation by 50%.

SCHREIBER FOODS, INCORPORATED, Various Locations

Plant Manager, 2003-2009

Led up to 300 employees in union and non-union facilities, entailing ownership of production and distribution of retail and food service dairy-based products. Provided minimum annual improvements in key measured categories of 10% and sponsored 250 continuous improvement projects, while achieving over 200 plant records without significant capital investment. Championed leadership development models and classes including: 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Six Sigma Yellow/Green Belt, Diversity, Manufacturing Finance, and 5S Deployment. Achieved awards for: breakthrough performance, quality improvement, customer service, leadership, and Special Olympics Company of the Year recognition (2006). Moved high-cost plant to low-cost position, saving over $2,000,000 annually while improving safety performance by 75%.

Co-led shred process management improvement team at Smithfield, UT, and facility Purchase/Improvement Teams in Monett, MO. Enhanced an opportunity cheese purchasing program, saving over $2,000,000.

Lifted employee charitable contributions by 150% across three facilities.

Led capital investment rapid response team to regain needed timing for $7,000,000 in Gainesville, GA, Shred Line Installation.

In Gainesville, GA, improved charitable interactions to 100%, safety by 30%, proposed $2,000,000 in capital investment with 30% ROI, and moved profitability from -2% to 10% in 18 months.

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE

R.R. DONNELLEY, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Manager of Manufacturing - Print, Bind, and Distribution, 1999-2003. Managed 318 employees in support of a JIT, financial printing facility with worldwide distribution of products. Restructured worldwide distribution process to handle 300% volume increase on same annualized expenses and led Six Sigma Green Belt CI projects with annual savings of $4,000,000. Received 2001 President’s Leadership Award and two Safety Awards.

MONSANTO COMPANY, Various Locations, Maintenance, Engineering, and Manufacturing Manager, 1995-1999. Increased production packaging rates 15% annually prior to capital investment. Negotiated and managed retail contract packaging operations for Roundup in Louisiana. Implemented two SAP systems (PM/MM) and TPM Maintenance Model at three sites. Senior Project Engineer, 1992-1995. Led team of six engineers on E/I projects for Rubber Chemical Business Unit, while handling identification, approval, training, construction management, maintenance, documentation, and ROI attainment. Oversaw $2,000,000 in capital annually.

EDUCATION

WEBSTER UNIVERSITY, St. Louis, Missouri

M.B.A., 1995

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI, Columbia, Missouri

B.S., Computer, Electrical Engineering, 1992

CERTIFICATIONS

SQF Practitioner, 2008

Six Sigma Green Belt, 2002

COMPUTER SKILLS

SAP, Microsoft Office Suite

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