Zachary F. Swanger

**** ************ ***** § Marion, IA 52302 § ' 319-***-**** § * aczkml@r.postjobfree.com

Production / Manufacturing Manager – Demand Leader / Planner

Energetic, resourceful, and results-oriented individual with excellent qualifications to lead and support functions requiring strong production and manufacturing management, process improvement engineering, and supply chain, materials, and demand planning knowledge and skills. Self-motivated and eager to contribute diverse talents and expertise toward collaborating with a growth-oriented organization to deliver operational improvements and to achieve targeted business, financial, and production goals. Use well-developed interpersonal and communication skills to build positive relationships with customers, staff members, peers, and all levels of company management.

Summary of Qualifications

Resourceful, innovative, and accountable individual who excels in challenging and complex environments recognized for expertise, problem solving, troubleshooting, high ethical standards, and professionalism.

Seasoned leadership skills to clearly and effectively align strategy with business operations, manage large and multi-faceted projects, initiate change, and improve processes to enhance performance and overall results.

Skilled at team building and implementing employee involvement and quality control initiatives that increase morale and performance with a proven track record of exceeding productivity, quality, and financial goals.

Areas of Strength

§ Production Operations Leadership § Operations/Process Improvement § Maximizing Output/Efficiency

§ Supply Chain / Demand Planning § Project Facilitation/Management § Quality Control and Assurance

§ Budgets and Financial Oversight § Production Equipment / Systems § Project / Production Scheduling

§ Employee Training / Supervision § Resource Allocation & Planning § Continuous Improvement / 5S

Professional Experience

Demand Planner, Quaker Oats, Cedar Rapids, IA 1997 – Present

Held accountable for leveraging strong communication, problem solving, and leadership skills while supporting production related materials, scheduling, supply chain, and demand planning activities. Directly responsible for working collaboratively with department supervisors, sales and marketing, production, and engineering to assess progress, discuss needs, revise schedules, and to resolve labor/material shortages, backlogs, or other interruptions.

Review documents, schedules, work orders, staffing tables, materials, products, etc. to determine personnel and materials requirements/priorities and assess completeness and conformance to standards and specifications.

Accountable for calculating required amounts of labor, materials, manufacturing costs, and wages and recording production data including volume produced, consumption of raw materials, and quality control measures.

Compile key information and prepare documentation related to production sequences, transportation, personnel schedules, production rates/progress, materials inventories/usage, and purchase, maintenance, and repair orders.

Fully responsible for establishing and preparing product construction directions and locations and information on required tools, production equipment, numbers of workers needed, production materials, and cost projections.

Display excellent collaboration and leadership skills, attention to detail and deadlines, and ability to multi-task and take ownership of projects while effectively working with individuals at all levels of the organization.

Arrange for delivery, assembly, or distribution of various supplies/parts to expedite flow of materials and meet production schedules. Contact suppliers to verify shipment details and to troubleshoot and resolve any issues.

Professional Experience (Continued)

Serve as a subject matter expert and point-of-contact as needed on escalated planning issues and problems due to experience and a willingness to devote the time required to investigate and determine effective solutions.

Identify and provide additional assistance to facilitate efficient day-to-day operations, look for opportunities to assist and support team members, and regularly interact with leadership team to establish goals and objectives.

Exhibit ability to communicate clearly and effectively while utilizing excellent coordination and facilitation skills to lead and evaluate the status of needs and to ensure timely completion of projects and responsibilities.

Recognized by management for anticipating problems, presenting effective solutions/recommendations, team collaboration and leadership, exceeding work expectations, and consistently delivering outstanding results.

Production Supervisor, ConAgra, South Sioux City, NE 1994 – 1997

Maintained full responsibility for demonstrating excellent leadership abilities, coordination and problem solving skills, and production knowledge to supervise day-to-day activities/tasks. Directed and coordinated the activities of employees engaged in the production/processing of goods, enforced safety and sanitation regulations, and planned and established work schedules, assignments, and production sequences to meet production goals and objectives.

Supervised inspectors, machine setters, and fabricators, conducted employee training in equipment operations, processes, and work/safety procedures, and assigned employee training to experienced workers as necessary.

Observed work and monitored gauges, dials, and other indicators to ensure operators conformed to production and processing standards, and inspected materials, products, and equipment to detect defects or malfunctions.

Worked effectively with other supervisors to coordinate operations and activities within or between departments, and conferred with management and subordinates to resolve worker problems, complaints, or grievances.

Maintained time, production, cost records, and other data, prepared management reports of production results, and calculated labor and equipment needs/requirements and production specifications using standard formulas.

Facilitated and maintained a highly productive work environment that was safe, professional, and cooperative as well as conducive to maximizing quality, performance, productivity, and employee morale/motivation.

Recommended and executed measures to motivate team, handle personnel actions including hiring, evaluations, and promotions, and to improve production methods, equipment performance, product quality, or efficiency.

Read and analyzed a broad range of charts, work orders, production schedules, and other records and reports to determine current/future production requirements and to evaluate current production estimates and outputs.

Determined standards, budgets, production goals, and rates based on company policies, equipment and labor availability, and workloads, developed new products/production processes, and set-up machines/equipment.

Worked well in a demanding environment, supported company goals and continuous improvement initiatives, and demonstrated excellent communication skills to ensure highly efficient day-to-day production operations.

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Math and Chemistry, Northwestern College, Orange City, IA

Computer / Skills:

Microsoft Office Suite (Word/Excel/PowerPoint/Outlook), SAP (Ordering Materials, Demand Planning, Sales Order Entry, Inventory Control, and Freight Payment Documents), Reports, Documents, Production Systems, Scheduling, Mathematics/Calculations, Budgets/Financials, Quality and Safety Systems, PCs/Windows Apps

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