MAHESH KHEMRAJ

**** **** **** **** ***** NJ *****

732-***-****

acyi4j@r.postjobfree.com

Plant Manager/ Director of Operations

Operational Management Productivity/ Cost Containment Production Planning Warehouse Management Business Integration Vendor Contracts/ Negotiations Manufacturing Project Manager Quality/ Regulatory/ Safety New Product Commercialization Strategic Operations Planning Change Management Bilingual Summary

Performance-driven Operations Leader with 22 years of progressive experience in problem solving in Manufacturing and Packaging environments. A self starter who proactively migrated to the United States and developed a breadth of plant and business exposure in the areas of Production Supervisor, Production Planning, Production Manager, Plant Manager and Director of Operations . Keen understanding of business priorities and performance metrics, committed to optimizing quality and employee safety, while minimizing operational costs. Professional Experience

Fieldbrook Foods Corporation / Mister Cookie Face,Inc. Feb 1994 - Oct 2016 An ice cream novelty business with 5 production lines producing product for fortune 500 companies ( Nestle,Unilever ) and smaller companies.

Director of Operations Sept 2014 - Oct 2016

Direct report to the President & CEO. Responsible for all aspects of operations of the ice cream novelty business including production, planning, scheduling, sanitation, warehousing, safety, quality control, logistics, maintenance, purchasing and inventory control to support 5 high speed production lines. Direct supervision of 7 managers, 16 supervisors and 200+ employees.

Accomplishments :

● Played significant role in long-term manufacturing planning, prioritizing major projects to more effectively utilize capacity and drive operational productivity.

● Leadership role in strategic shift of product production over two facilities utilizing facility strengths and capabilities to decrease overall company cost and better utilize overall capacity.

● Led facility in increased production by 40% to accommodate customers demand, adding sixth and seventh day operation, reduction in SKU changes overs optimizing line efficiency.

● Maintained plant quality and food safety required under SQF standards. Routinely passed all SQF Level 3 and 3rd party Audits, as well as all customer audit requirements, while responding to audit questions or corrective actions on a timely basis.

● Built relationship with key customers by commercializing multiple new products, product formulation changes, and product start-ups resulting in sales growth from $30MM to $50MM annually.

● Played integral role with CEO and Sales team on removal of small and non-profitable SKU’s, reducing waste and increasing plant effectiveness.

● Oversaw crisis management team to ensure proper protocols in place in event of product recall or crisis. Plant Manager July 2004 - Sept 2014

Managed all operational aspects of the plant, including strategic management of production, scheduling, sanitation, warehousing, safety and maintenance.

Direct supervision of 5 managers, 12 supervisors, 12 mechanics and 140+ employees. Lead role in facility regulatory and 3rd party audits. Orchestrated plant activities with departmental managers and supervisors to ensure total manufacturing objectives were accomplished in a safe and ethical environmentally manner. Accomplishments :

● Project managed the successful installation of multiple new multi-million dollar high speed production lines, a new mixing room and a new pasteurizer under tight time line with no unplanned business interruption.

● Negotiated new labor contract reducing hourly bill rate with saving of $200,000 annually, reducing overall cost structure.

● Drove labor reduction of 10% after acquisition by combining supervisors and operators responsibility across multiple shifts resulting of $500,000 in annual savings.

● Achieved strong customer satisfaction metrics by leading plant manufacturing and warehouse delivery to consistent on-time shipping and order completion rate including 100 SKU’s.

● Managed finished good inventory to maintain the highest customer service and on time delivery, while balancing against carrying cost.

● Spearheaded product waste initiatives designed to reduce plant waste, consistently beating budget.

● Successfully defend against Union solicitation by educating employees on the cost for Union dues and no significant changes in benefits.

● Fostered a culture of “Safety First”, which resulted in zero lost-time accidents.

● Implemented a robust Preventive Maintenance program, adhering to scheduled overhauls for all equipment reducing downtime and improving plant efficiency by 10%. Production Manager Jan 1997 - July 2004

Managed the manufacturing operation and supervision of 3 managers and 140+ employees. Responsible for line production, training and directing the activities of the manufacturing staff. Accomplishments:

● Developed a very skilled work team and drove reduction of poor performance employees, leading to improved labor capabilities as well as productivity.

● Championed order fulfillment and on time shipments from 85% to 90% by driving greater accountability to workforce, improved business practice and more effective planning.

● Created a successful plant start up schedule and procedures which lead to a decrease in direct labor through improved time management maximizing product flow on lines.

● Partnered with sanitation chemical vendor and consultant to create a comprehensive sanitation program specifically for the facility.

Production Supervisor Dec 1995 - Jan 1997

Production Employee Feb 1994 - Dec 1995

Transition to America 1993 - 1994

Made critical life decision to move from Guyana to America for better opportunity. Was first in family to do, coming on my own. Couldn’t afford college so took role as janitor in Mister Cookie Face/ Fieldbrooks Foods and rose ladder, progressing to Operations Director.

Education

High School Diploma, Guyana. 1993

Penn State ice cream short course. 2002

Specialized Training .

Ecolab HazComm training, SQF preparation and 3rd party audit readiness. Regular training and review in the following areas: HACCP (team member ), Crisis Management, Sanitation best practices ( Ecolab ), product development, flavor and sensory training.

Bilingual

English, Spanish.

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