Jeff Ruzich

**** ** **** ******, *******, OR ****0 • acwpuz@r.postjobfree.com • 971-***-****

Manufacturing Executive

Plant & Operations Management / Productivity & Revenue Growth High-caliber professional with a history of success leading teams, finances, and day-to-day operations for competitive manufacturing organizations. Solid career combines relevant education with decades of experience developing strategic plans and implementing efficient processes that drive quality, innovation, cost savings and safety. Strong, people-oriented leader with proven expertise building and inspiring top- performing teams that work together to overcome challenges and achieve ambitious goals. Core competencies include:

SUPERIOR GRAPHITE, Russellville, AR

Brought into the organization to lead an effort to resolve quality issues, change the current culture on safety, and develop the core requirements of operations to turn around the financial performance of the facility.

Plant Manager (09/2013 to April 2016)

Provide the leadership to begin a culture change at the facility, to drive continuous improvement programs

(lean manufacturing). Managing finances / accounting, IT, sales, HR, process engineering, project engineering, quality control, safety, maintenance, and machine operations. Selected accomplishments:

• Restructured the management team to a 2 tier level organization to allow improved communication requirements.

• Developed an inventory control program to improve accuracy and reduce inventory carrying cost by $6M within 2 years.

• Over saw the capital investments of $6.75M to improve key operations, with lead to reduction of scrap and quality issues.

• Integrated the principles Kaizen as a key aspect of the facility’s culture, which lead to initiatives that yielded significant and sustainable cost savings and efficiency improvements across all departments.

• Operations Planning & Execution

• Facility Management

• Strategic & Hands-on Leadership

• Sales & Marketing Programs

• Process Engineering & Improvement

• Budgeting, P&L & Financial Analysis

• System Implementation & Optimization

• Customer & Partner Relations

• Team Building, Training & Motivation

• Change Management

Experience Highlights

TOYO TANSO USA, INC., Troutdale, OR

Promoted to catapult sales and profit performance for graphite manufacturing company with two locations, 210 employees and $43M in annual revenue. Initially hired as Vice President; advanced to President in one year.

President (11/2000 to 6/2013)

Provided vision and leadership to boost productivity, increase safety and inspire a culture of continuous process improvement. Managed finances/accounting, IT, sales, HR, process engineering, quality control, safety and machine operations. Implemented solutions to cut costs and improve sales through all market, industry and economic conditions. Made key budgeting and pricing decisions. Hired and coached employees; built and sustained open lines of communication. Generated reports highlighting labor, spending, sales, administration and status of capital projects. Designed cross-training programs for all departments.

Selected accomplishments:

• Restructured and revitalized operations to increase sales from $13M to $43M in 10 years.

• Partnered with key customers and stakeholders, which resulted in development and rollout of several new products to the U.S. market.

• Overhauled financial management to improve transparency and reduce debt from -$12M to +

$4.5M while overseeing capital investment program from $1.5M to $2.1M each year.

• Integrated Kaizen as a key aspect of the company's culture; led initiatives that yielded significant and sustainable cost savings and efficiency improvements across all departments.

• Developed a dedicated, high-performing team (Vice President, Controller, two General Managers, seven Facility Managers and 210+ employees) that drove efficiency and profitability at two locations.

SGL CARBON, Niagara Falls, NY

Earned a series of promotions and seamlessly transitioned to different facilities during extended tenure with SGL Carbon, one of the world's leading manufacturers of carbon-based products. Plant Manager (6/1995 to 11/2000)

Inspired and led employees in refining processes and procedures to improve capabilities and performance for cost-center facility. Led greenfield project to install R&D facility on location. Supervised 145 union and non-union employees. Managed finances, technology, HR and operations. Selected accomplishments:

• Brought the Niagara Falls location up to full capacity, with particular focus on streamlining and improving operations and productivity for the extrude graphite product line.

• Met or surpassed 100% of cost targets established by corporate leadership.

• Implemented SAP to expedite and support daily operations. SGL CARBON, Arkadelphia, AR

Site Manager (8/1994 to 6/1995)

Hand-selected to oversee greenfield site development project. Managed all start-up operations including researching and selecting the site; supervising construction activities and hiring; and on-boarding / training the original team.

Selected accomplishments:

• Successfully established and launched the new Arkadelphia plant within 10 months (two months ahead of schedule).

• Demonstrated flexibility and loyalty by stepping into short-term role; returned to Valencia facility after preparing the new organization for stability and growth. SGL CARBON, Valencia, CA

Vice President (11/1991 to 8/1994)

Defined and executed the business model for the Valencia facility. Directed all operational departments and skillfully led financial operations (budget development and cost analysis) for product lines. Identified and proposed solutions to cut costs and elevate revenue and profit performance. Selected accomplishments:

• Spearheaded strategies that generated new business and increased sales by 21% (to $32M).

• Improved productivity and drove operational performance by providing accessible leadership to 215 multi-tiered managers and employees.

• Increased capacity for the primary permafoil line by 15% and decreased scrap by 18%/

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Built a foundation for success in key roles with Dana Corporation. Established the Danville, Kentucky site from the ground up and achieved several supplier years within two years. Reduced inventory by 35% at the Chicago facility, and achieved four years of on-time delivery to aftermarket division. NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY, DeKalb, IL

Master of Science Biology

Bachelor of Science Biology / Minor Business Administration Professional Development:

Dana Corporation Continued Education Program (five-year program, four week-long sessions each year) Dana Corporation World Class Management Program (seven-month course) Educational Background

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