STEVEN D. GRAY

*** **** ****

Mt. Juliet, Tennessee 37122

Phone: 615-***-**** ad4qfy@r.postjobfree.com

MANUFACTURING MANAGEMENT

Operations … Strategic … Leadership

High energy, goal-oriented professional who exhibits a genuine passion for what he does, and meets challenges head-on. Well organized and tenacious in pursuing a problem until resolution is found. Decisive leader with a successful background in high volume, deadline-driven production environments. A “firm, but fair” hands-on management style, coupled with the willingness to listen to others’ input, encourages a collaborative approach to getting things done. Unique ability to view the big picture, strategically, but carefully plan the necessary steps, tactically, to reach the objective. Open to change, when necessary, to control costs, maintain quality and safety, and meet customers’ requirements.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Ingram Lighting Source – LaVergne TN. Senior Operations Manager 2022-Present

• Perform all job duties within the Operational workflow by developing full knowledge of all aspects of the operations of high-speed digital printers, laminators, binders, and trimmers within the Production department.

• Overseen and drove a fast-paced lean production system as a fully functional print-on-demand process.

• Responsible for KPIs, goals, and objectives for the management team. 2022 and 2023 broke records for units per labor hour.

• Directly manage 250+ employees regularly and up to 500 for the last half of 2023 – Manager, Supervisor, team leads, and hourly associates.

• Drive the process to meet or exceed customer requirements.

• Manage my teams to initiate a positive, inclusive, and results-oriented culture

• Develop, manage, and leads continuous process improvement strategies and initiatives

• Leverages the flexibility of Lean, Six Sigma and Performance Improvement tools to enhance productivity.

• Define expectations for Operations and Area Managers; provide feedback and hold leaders accountable.

• Continuous coaching and developing team leadership

• Drives continuous improvement projects to optimize operations and improve productivity to meet and exceed business objectives. Work within the knowledge of Operations and Area Managers to solicit ideas and understand problems and challenges in the building.

• Partner with Human resources, Maintenance Engineering, Safety, and IT to build and secure support and resources for projects and initiatives.

• Interviews applicants, makes hiring recommendations, over-seen training, and recommended disciplinary measures, as needed, of production.

Additional Training – Ingram

• ILEAD Leadership development

• Igniting Performance with Purpose - Duke Corporate Education

• Communicating for Influence – Dartmouth, Tuck Executive Education

• Adapting to Changing Contexts – Stanford Business

• Strengthening Self-Advocacy – Berkley University of Business

• Elevating Coaching Skills – Duke Corporate Education

• Navigating Strategic Inflection Points - Columbia Business School Universal Rack Co. (Associated Rack Co.) 2016-2022 Manufacturing / Sales Manager

Experienced Plant Manager adept at improving output, maximizing quality and boosting employee satisfaction with hands-on management style. Recognized as effective business manager and motivational leader.

Successful manufacturing management career spanning 25 years. Plant Operations Manager with a progressive career in various manufacturing levels. Committed to reducing costs and improving efficiency. Motivational and influential leader with excellent team-building and training skills and a focus on product safety and quality. Enthusiastic, eager to contribute to team success through hard work, attention to detail and excellent organizational skills. Clear understanding of Operational principles and motivated to learn, grow and excel. PLANT MANAGER

● Provided direction and leadership to all levels of employees and managers.

● Directed employees and related programs to maximize team productivity and facility output.

● Reduced costs by eliminating materials waste and unnecessary labor hours.

● Optimized processes to maximize efficiency.

● Made strategic decisions and developed key plans that affected direction of business.

● Managed purchasing, sales, marketing and customer account operations efficiently.

● Delivered business strategy and developed systems and procedures to improve operational quality and team efficiency

● Managed daily operations of scheduling, orchestrating forward-thinking strategies to accomplish profit and expansion goals.

● Built a loyal account base and long-term business relationships with 150 accounts.

● Created monthly budgets and expense goals to maximize monthly profit goals.

● Communicated P&L results during daily/weekly production meetings.

● Lead company in yearly profit for five years, totaling over 1.5MM. SKILLS

● Problem Anticipation and Resolution

● Recruitment and Hiring

● Team Leadership

● Finance and Accounting Oversight

● Decision Making

● Mathematical Calculation and Reasoning

● Verbal and Written Communication

● Business Leadership

● Customer Service Management

● Cost Reduction

● Price Structuring

● Sales Coaching

● Process Development and Streamlining

● Presentation Development and Delivery

SALES MANAGER

● Handled customer relations issues, enabling quick resolution and client satisfaction.

● Maintained relationships with customers and found new ones by identifying needs and offering appropriate services.

● Coached employees in successful selling methods and encouraged cross-selling to drive revenue.

● Identified, hired and trained highly-qualified staff by teaching best practices, procedures and sales strategies.

● Grew sales and boosted profits, applying proactive management strategies and enhancing sales training.

● Monitored customer buying trends, market conditions and competitor actions to adjust strategies and achieve sales goals.

● Supervised sales team of four people, stepping in to support employees and deliver smooth sales processes for clients.

● Held weekly meetings with the Sales team to identify techniques to overcome sales obstacles.

● Produced contracts, reports, letters, and proposals for clients.

● Resolved customer issues quickly and managed over [Number] accounts to increase sales and meet quotas.

● Conducted research to target, engage and partner with suppliers, negotiating beneficial, cost-saving deals.

● Increased gross sales and exceeded goals for sales, revenue and profit margins.

● Brought in more than 1.5mm in profit over a five year spam.

● Responsible sales territory: TN, KY, OH, AL, MS and Canada.

● Client base of over 200 Accounts.

RR DONNELLEY 1995 – 2016

Global Fortune 500 Company that provides print and related services. The company owns production plants throughout the United States and on four continents. Manufacturing Manager (Antioch, TN), 2011-2016

Responsible for all production in a facility that employs 170, at its peak, workers on three 24/7 shifts. Define and develop process methods, parameters and procedures; estimate time frames, quality and quantity of resources required. Prepare forecasts and reports of current operations.

● Upon arrival to the position, through an acquisition, immediately incorporated the RRD policies and procedures to ensure consistency with the corporation; partnered with HR.

● Conducted cost analysis the first three months, resulting in the elimination of 30 temporary positions, while still exceeded budgeted productivity by $1 million.

● Contribute to the formulation of the annual operating budget and approve all expenses related to facility spending.

● Focus on business performance measurement and priorities, continuously identifying and evaluating viable opportunities to maximize company success.

● Promote an inclusive work environment where all employees can contribute and work to their full potential. Initiate, build, and leverage opportunities to work with others in their respective business group, and across the organization, to maximize individual and organizational effectiveness.

● Oversee EHS in compliance with best practices and state and federal requirements. Improved safety and ergonomics, reducing recordable accidents to zero within 24 months. Achieved, overall, the lowest OSHA recordable rate ever for the Antioch plant – 1 million hours without any lost time.

● Develop, monitor and implement Continuous Improvement (CI) processes, which improve process control, reduce variation and contribute to standardization. Monitor output, cycle times, routings, and quality.

● Ensure that operations function at maximum efficiency and quality standards. Achieved a 33% reduction in privacy breaches.

● Introduced a “Work Ready” campaign, which saved wasteful start-up make ready time for employees coming on their shifts.

● Rewrote the Attendance Policy for the plant. Revision was more fair and consistent across all departments.

● Serve as the main point of contact for facility closure during 2015. Orchestrated the uninstall and reinstall of all production equipment to sister plants across the U.S., and in the absence of the HR Director, facilitated the transition of 150 employees.

Projects Manager (Glasgow, KY), 2009-2011

● Through diligent cost analysis of outmoded machinery, recommended purchasing reconditioned equipment for greater quality and reliability. Capital expense paid for itself within 36 months.

● Traveled with engineering groups across the US to other facilities to perform mechanical and electrical evaluations of machines targeted for relocation.

● Developed production line improvements which increased throughput

● Developed Ergonomic skid turn that eliminated a manual process and is used across the company. Steven D. Gray Page 2

Tech Service Supervisor (Glasgow, KY), 2007-2009

Responsible for scheduling and parts purchasing for the Finishing Bindery (Patent/Saddle/Poly wrap)

● Spearheaded orders, including all parts for new and existing machines; budget of $50,000 per month.

● Assisted with the development of automated controls vs. manual. Researched and recommended new technologies, or new production capabilities, to maximize equipment and manpower capabilities.

● Developed spreadsheet to document daily spending in order to forecast month to date cost budget.

● Worked with plant Scheduler to establish dates for machine preventative maintenance. Manufacturing Supervisor (Glasgow, KY), 2002-2007

Responsible for the Bindery operation of this 1,300 employee magazine printing facility. Supervised 69 hourly workers and had accountability for Production, Safety, Maintenance and annual Budget.

● Developed a tracking system for collecting and recording shift activities to reduce waste. Upgraded and revised SOPs.

● Established and/or modified operational methods and processes by recommending changes in materials, equipment and procedures.

● Through diligent cost analysis of outmoded machinery, recommended purchasing reconditioned equipment for greater quality and reliability. Capital expense paid for itself within 36 months.

● Continually met, or came below, budget each year of the nine years in this position.

● Reduced non billable freight by 50%.

● Achieved 5% reduction in total plant turnover.

● Maintained various reports, records and production documentation related to schedules, performance and processes.

Technical / Manning Coordinator (Glasgow, KY), 2000-2002 Responsible for one-third of the crew. Scheduled manpower and equipment needs.

● Selected to participate in a year-long professional development program for future leaders, which included a variety of projects and leadership assignments throughout the facility.

● Participated in large production meetings and provided input on increasing efficiency and allocation of workforce, resulting in no delays or machine downtime due to improper allocation of operators and helpers.

● Spearheaded waste analysis and Process Variability Reduction programs. Achieved goals in both instances.

● Promoted and certified Six Sigma, 5-S and Lean Manufacturing concepts in the production area. Certified other leaders. Led cross-training efforts of all employees. Production Coordinator (Glasgow, KY), 1999-2000

Coordinate activities to attain production goals consistent with cost, quality and delivery requirements. Interact with Material Planning, Manufacturing, Engineering and Maintenance. Material Handler / Helper / Machine Operator (Glasgow, KY), 1995-1999

● Ensured that the finished product was packaged and mailed out correctly.

● Assisted the machine operators with mechanical repairs, product quality reviews.

● Cross trained on all aspects of the binding equipment. Responsible for the production and maintenance of the assigned machine.

EDUCATION / PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Louisville Technical Institute, Louisville, KY

Major: Drafting/AutoCAD

Graduate, Caverna High School, Horse Cave, KY

RRD Internal Certifications in: Six Sigma, 5-S, Lean Manufacturing Company-Sponsored Classes in: Financial; Time Management; Diversity; Effective Meetings; PCs References:

Dwayne Moss - ARC (Retired)

669 At;antaDr. Hermitage TN 37076

Cell: 615-***-****

Chas Kelly - VP of Sales - Car Motivators

14 Torrey Pines Ln Lebanon TN 37087

Cell: 662-***-****

ad4qfy@r.postjobfree.com

John Giampaolo - IT Relations Manager - Vanderbilt University 255 Vanner Dr I Mt. Juliet TN 37122

Cell: 615-***-****

ad4qfy@r.postjobfree.com

Craig Ellison - Independent Business Consultant

3700Seville Dr. Hermitage TN 370076

Cell: 615-***-****

linkedin,com/in/craig-ellison-82848a3

Kris Brodowski - President at Pacific Coast Fabrications, Inc 1390 N Hundley St. I Anaheim CA. 92806

Cell: 714-***-****

ad4qfy@r.postjobfree.com

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