KENNETH L. JEFFERS
** ******** **** ***********, ********** 93308
661-***-**** (home) 661-***-**** (cell) *********@*****.***
OPERATIONS / MAINTENANCE
Effectual industrial operations leader with 20+ years experience driving the performance, reliability, and productivity of complex industrial equipment for a variety of manufacturing and distribution operations. Highly skilled at training, coaching, and mentoring mechanical maintenance teams and technical support staff to provide exceptional service and deliver consistent quality. Proficient in assessing and auditing internal systems to identify opportunities to improve compliance, enhance performance, control costs, and minimize risk.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Hands-on Maintenance Team Leadership Production and Plant Operations Management
Preventive Maintenance Programs Strategic Planning Facility Audits
EPA, OSHA, HACCP Regulatory Compliance Project Management Risk Management Programs (RSM)
GMP & Process Safety Management (PSM) Continuous Improvement Purchasing Budget Management
Tunnel & Hot Fill Pasteurization Chemical Inventory Control Water Treatment Application Systems
Refrigeration, Air Conditioning & Chiller Systems Universal Refrigerant Certified
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
DECCO, Cerexagri, Inc. Visalia Ca. 2014 - Present
Produce treatment and decay control
Industrial Mechanic
Overseeing the treatment application process and test and certify the chemical application systems for fruit production operations. Titration testing, equipment verifications and documentation on a continual basis. Rebuilding and refining application systems as needed with complete regard to production needs. Continually being aware of food safety and keeping end product requirements as the goal. Maintaining safety of employees is ahead of all processes. Continually working to develop my multilingual talents.
STYROTEK, INC. Delano, CA 2013
Styrofoam molding and recycling
Operations Manager
Brought in to oversee the plants environmental compliance. Established full compliance with the Air Pollution Control District, Department of Health and Human Services, the California Highway Patrol, and Insurance companies. Trained all departments in proper recordkeeping requirements and championed many improvements in inter-departmental communications. Provided solutions to production bottlenecks while improving working conditions.
GIUMARRA & ASSOCIATES BEVERAGE COMPANY, Bakersfield, California 2008-2012
Beverage manufacturing division of one of the nation’s top agricultural corporations.
Production, Maintenance & Project Manager
Recruited to build a proactive, formal production oversight, maintenance, and safety management function from the ground up. Established, directed, and worked with a team of fifteen to ensure seamless day-to-day production operations. Implemented standardized systems for assessing and optimizing production line performance with regards to regulatory, internal quality, and efficiency guidelines. Managed a $960K annual purchasing budget while selecting and monitoring the service quality of all suppliers, vendors & contractors.
Increased the production line’s monthly throughput, from 200K to 500K cases consistently by cutting equipment and machine downtime to near zero with a strong hands-on maintenance program.
KENNETH JEFFERS Page 2 *********@*****.***
Enabled the department’s drive towards a continuous improvement culture by implementing a project management program focused on strategic change initiatives.
Consistently meet or exceeded budget projections by negotiating the most competitive rates and by cultivating solid, partner-based supplier & contractor relationships.
Developed a high-performance team lauded for commitment and service delivery by implementing employee-focused professional development, training, and flexible scheduling policies.
Implemented refrigeration practices that brought the entire company into compliance with minimal cost.
CRYSTAL GEYSER WATER, Bakersfield, California 2006-2008
Nationally leading bottled water and branded beverage company.
Maintenance Supervisor
Led a team of twelve mechanics in the daily assessment, verification, and troubleshooting of production system operations, continually evaluating mechanical performance to maintain optimal efficiency and calibration. Managed department purchasing and maintained a reliable network of external contractors to support the more complex repair and maintenance needs.
Significantly increased plant production levels, attaining the highest rate of production output in plant history by overhauling the maintenance department with best practice equipment set-up, planning, and staff training processes.
Minimized production downtime in complex equipment installation and upgrade projects through effective project management strategies.
Successfully expanded the knowledge and capabilities of an entrenched mechanic team by strategically introducing advanced systems training utilizing my direct hands-on approach.
Brought on staff a systems specialist to eliminate errors in understanding of the refrigeration system to train, evaluate, and confirm reliability of the ammonia refrigeration system.
CHEMTOOL, Tehachapi, California 2004-2006
Manufacturer and distributor of custom lubricants.
Maintenance Manager
Supervised a crew of eight in system performance, maintenance, and reliability across the manufacturing and production lines and the facility as a whole, including fire suppression, refrigeration, and air conditioning systems.
Rapidly resolved several major equipment failures upon stepping into this role, strategizing and managing the rebuild and re-commissioning processes to bring the plant back to full operational capacity.
Protected the facility from future mechanical failures by launching an in-depth investigation and assessment of the plant’s system assets to identify potential performance issues and by developing an intensive plan for implementing a new preventative maintenance program.
Played a leadership role in the facility’s achievement of ISO 9001:2000 certification, including bringing the facility into full compliance with stringent environmental regulations.
CAREER NOTE: Additional roles as an Industrial Mechanic for Target Distribution Center 2 1/2 yrs, Industrial Mechanic for Frito-Lay 7 1/2 yrs, H.V.A.C.R. Technician, and Construction Foreman.
EDUCATION & TRAINING
Advanced Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Training Advanced Controls Training
Refrigeration Service Engineers Society, Bakersfield, California
Statistical Quality Control California State University Northridge
Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration (HVACR) Training Simi Valley Adult School
Coursework towards my Bachelor’s Degree Bakersfield College