Six Sigma Continuous Improvement
Resume:
Yana M Nicks
Charlotte, NC ***** • 839-***-****
DIRECTOR LEAN
Dynamic and results-driven professional with proven track record of driving organizational excellence through strategic planning, process optimization, and innovative problem-solving. Skilled in fostering culture of continuous improvement, and utilizing Lean Six Sigma methodology and inclusive Kaizen events to enhance operations and overall performance. Well-versed in identifying and leading cross-functional teams to execute projects. Credible history of delivering tangible outcomes by reducing waste and variation, leveraging automation technologies, and executing training programs.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Lean Deployment Operational Excellence Lean Six Sigma Strategy Deployment/ Hoshin Kanri Process Optimization Change Transformation Business Process Efficiency Lean Processes Multi-Site Experience Problem Solving Lean Thinking Root Cause Leadership Tiered KPIs Communication Financial Acumen Visual Management Leader Standard Work Team Building Kaizen Standard Work 5S DMAIC Value Stream Mapping Coaching & Mentoring
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
FRONTGRADE TECHNOLOGIES, (Hybrid) Exeter, NH / Charlotte, NC 2022 – 2024
Director Lean, Continuous Improvement
Spearhead Lean Deployment building strategies and identified key initiatives, evaluating data and data gaps. Delivered comprehensive training, and refining processes to effect transformative change throughout organization. Established dedicated site teams to implement lean methodology and foster culture of continuous improvement. Developed and delivered tailored Lean Six Sigma (LSS) training curriculum.
•Led strategy deployment for executive and site leadership teams aimed at implementing actionable plans for identified initiatives across company and site levels to ensure alignment with targeted KPIs.
•Recruited team tasked with overseeing implementation and administration of Lean Deployment, LSS training program and leading projects with focus on cost savings, process improvement and automating critical applications.
•Created KPIs by site and customized by tier level to align with strategic objectives, coaching functional groups to build upon KPI charts as part of Daily Management and Tiered Visual Management.
•Identified and drove improvement activities across sites and within/ across functions to deliver against annual performance objectives, increase savings, eliminate process waste and improve quality for better customer outcome.
•Achieved approximately $1.2 million in savings by conducting 7 LSS trainings with certifications in 2023.
•Orchestrated project in Rotary Joint value stream, resulting in 32% margin increase by minimizing waste, improving flow, reducing Total Cost of Quality, implementing daily performance metrics & standardized work.
AKZONOBEL N.V, Charlotte, NC 2015 – 2021
Regional Operational Excellence Expert
Deployed Lean Six Sigma as part of corporate AkzoNobel Leading Performance System (ALPS) team. Directed management, enhancement and implementation of ALPS methodologies across nine sites within the Americas Region. Provided guidance to site management in formulating strategic deployment plan through Hoshin Kanri. Led training for site leadership teams and CI managers, integrating ALPS methodologies into business and operational processes.
•Executed five projects, saving €12.8 million through optimization of overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), manufacturing machine efficiency (MME) and implementation of total productive maintenance (TPM).
•Facilitated deployment of Lean processes across multiple business units to minimize waste, boost productivity, and reduce total cost of quality (TCOQ), leading to cost savings surpassing €6.5 million.
•Achieved On-Time-In-Full (OTIF) performance improvement from 32% to 92% at single site in 12-month span.
•Co-developed comprehensive Lean Six Sigma training program aimed at training, coaching, and certifying Yellow, Green, and Black Belts. Recertified as LSS Black Belt. Completed training for Master Black Belt.
•Expanded continuous improvement (CI) community by coaching and certifying 48 individuals to Lean Six Sigma: Yellow, Green or Black Belt level totaling €7.8 million on first projects across the Americas.
UTC AEROSPACE SYSTEMS (UTAS), Formerly Goodrich Corp, Charlotte, NC 2007 – 2014
Global Supply Chain Manager, Supply Chain Operations (2012 – 2014)
Led global initiative to integrate data and merge 180 sites from two companies onto platforms, such as Supplier Portal and Business Intelligence System (BIS). Collaborated with cross-functional teams, including procurement, manufacturing, logistics, and sales, to align supply chain strategies with company objectives.
•Consolidated customer and supplier data within Business Intelligence System (BIS) platform, providing insights into expenditures, top customers, and suppliers; driving informed decision-making and leveraging data in negotiations.
•Led site data integration efforts for newly merged global company while pitching platforms and enhancements to secure existing tools.
Senior Supply Chain Manager, Enterprise Supply Chain (2007 – 2012)
Led global integration projects, including implementation of Supplier Portal, development of Business Intelligence System (BIS), alignment of metrics, and automation of operational processes across over 109 sites. Directed analytics and reporting team in generation, compilation, and distribution of weekly metric reports to relevant stakeholders.
•Directed small and large-scale projects, enhancing business processes with cross-functional teams, focused on strategic automation, meeting military specification requirements, optimizing ERP systems, resulting in $397 million in savings.
•Centralized data management through integration of data feeds from 17 ERP systems into a singular system (BIS), standardized reporting procedures, and eradicated redundant reporting, resulting in cost savings of $565,000.
•Saved cost of $87.8 million by leading implementation of unified supply chain tool, eradicating redundancy, and reducing maintenance costs.
•Employed commodity strategy with focus on assigning commodity codes to over 4,000 procured parts, products, and suppliers.
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
Senior Commodity Manager, Construction & Capital Equipment Intel Corporation, Chandler, AZ
Materials Manager, Corporate Engineering, New Business Development Procter & Gamble Company, Cincinnati, OH
Analytical Manager/ Senior Engineer Polaroid Corporation, New Bedford, MA
Project Engineer, Polishing & Manufacturing Production Groups MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc., Spartanburg, SC
EDUCATION
Master of Business Administration in Finance Duke University, The Fuqua School of Business, Durham, NC
Master of Science in Materials Science & Engineering Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
Bachelor of Science in Materials Science & Engineering The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
CERTIFICATIONS
Lean Six Sigma (LSS) Master Black Belt Trained (2019)
LSS Black Belt Certified (2017, 2002)
LSS Green Belt Certified (2008, 2005, 2000)
ACE Practitioner Certified (2013)
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
Ice Man Award for Risk Mitigation in Sourcing Intel Corporation, Chandler, AZ
Granted 3 patents for Creative, New Packaging in Laundry Care Procter & Gamble, Cincinnati, OH
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