JAMES SMITH
Troy, MI ***** • 313-***-**** • ********@*****.***
Professional Summary
Resourceful plant management leader with expertise in cost controls, lean manufacturing principles and employee training. Fluent and successful track record in production, operations and maintenance management.
Skills
• Plant Operations and Production Manager
• Maintenance Manager
• Manage Budgets and P&L
• Production Equipment Maintenance - Expert
Troubleshooting
• Complex Problem-Solving
• Project and Program Management
• Manufacturing Engineering
• Launch Management
• Cost Management
• Team Building
Work History
Site (Plant) Manager, 02/2023 to Current
American Axle – Detroit, MI
• Led, trained and coached plant staff to facilitate high levels of productivity and quality.
• Maximized plant safety through proactive strategies and well-structured training.
• Reduced costs by eliminating materials waste and unnecessary labor hours.
• Monitored and evaluated plant performance to identify areas for improvement and take corrective measures.
• Directed employees and related programs to maximize team productivity and facility output.
• Identified and resolved process and equipment issues to minimize production downtime.
• Created plant policies and procedures for safe and productive operations.
• Provided direction and leadership to all levels of employees and managers. Manufacturing Consultant - Self Employed, 10/2018 to 01/2023 Midwest Manufacturing Reps, LLC
• Provide expert electrical and mechanical troubleshooting and repair.
• Inspected equipment to diagnose operational issues.
• Installed new equipment and explained operation and routine maintenance protocols to customers.
• Facilitate maintenance team training procedures to align with company standards.
• Streamline repair processes to minimize day-to-day downtime and increase overall productivity.
• Machine retool and refurb.
• Inspect machines to maintain quality and efficiency.
• Prepared reports and technical documentation of day-to-day production processes
• Schedule preventive and predictive maintenance actions based on failure analysis.
• Collected and reviewed engineering data to assess needs and recommend solutions. Maintenance Manager, 03/2021 to 09/2022
Kay Manufacturing Co – Calumet City, IL
• Supervised employee performance, preventive maintenance and safety.
• Planned scheduled maintenance outages as part of preventive maintenance program.
• Completed partial or full dismantling of equipment to quickly repair or replace defective components and restore functionality.
• Procured pricing information from various vendors to support cost-effective purchasing.
• Contributed to development, implementation and execution of maintenance programs.
• Rolled out improved training programs for maintenance employees.
• Efficiently assisted service workers with problematic transactions to maintain customer satisfaction and quickly rectify issues.
EV Program Manager, 03/2021 to 09/2022
Kay Manufacturing Co – Calumet City, IL
• Interacted with customers and clients to identify business needs and requirements.
• Addressed and resolved technical, financial and operational concerns by working with team members and directors.
• Created and presented data using MS Excel spreadsheets and other MS Office tools.
• Assessed performance and scheduled cost control while maintaining contractual and internal performance requirements.
• Met with project stakeholders on a regular basis to assess progress.
• Implemented and led meetings, opening dialog with area managers to discuss Gantt timing and budget.
Manufacturing Engineer, 05/2018 to 08/2020
Detroit Truck Manufacturing, Spartan Motors
• Responded to technical concerns quickly and effectively devised solutions.
• Monitored project progress, ensuring conformance to design specifications and safety standards.
• Collaborated with on-site directors, operations managers and supervisors on engineering projects.
• Developed and implemented process flow improvement and standardization projects.
• Inspected CNC and press brake equipment before, during and after projects to maintain progression and functionality.
• Provided expert electrical and mechanical troubleshooting and repair.
• Programmed CNC and press brake machines.
Manufacturing Engineer, 11/2017 to 05/2018
Magna Powertrain
• Identified problems and specific resolutions to fix defective, damaged or malfunctioning parts, assemblies, equipment and systems.
• Selected manufacturing methods, fabrication and operations to develop and coordinate production.
• Used lean manufacturing principles to develop, evaluate and improve manufacturing methods.
• Coordinated selection of manufacturing methods, fabrication and operation of product designs.
• Expert CNC mechanical and electrical troubleshooting. Maintenance Engineer, 07/2009 to 11/2017
SMW Automotive
• Visually inspected and tested machinery and equipment, performing routine preventive maintenance.
• Reviewed technical documentation to complete equipment maintenance and repair.
• Dismantled defective machines and equipment and installed new or repaired parts.
• Worked frequently with mechanical and electrical systems to complete knowledgeable inspections and skilled repairs.
• CNC programming.
• Mechanical and electrical troubleshooting and repair. Maintenance Supervisor, 04/2005 to 07/2009
U.S. Manufacturing Corporation
• Kept track of equipment, inventories and system upgrades to prepare and present detailed reports to upper management.
• Supervise 30 employees and scheduled shifts.
• Increased productivity by reducing downtime, budgeting effectively, allocating tasks and maintaining high standards of safety and work quality.
• Analyzed and identified equipment failure root causes and initiated correction actions.
• Electrical, PLC and mechanical troubleshooting and repair. Maintenance Manager, 05/1999 to 04/2005
American Axle & Manufacturing
• Managed employee performance, preventive maintenance and safety of a staff of 100 associates.
• Planned scheduled maintenance outages as part of preventive maintenance program.
• Completed partial or full dismantling of equipment to quickly repair or replace defective components and restore functionality.
• Delegated tasks to carefully selected employees in alignment with resource management goals.