THOMAS D. KU
Maricopa, AZ ***38
(949) 300- 9209
******@*****.***
Skype; thomas.ku3
EXPERT OPERATION/MANUFACTURING MANAGER
OBJECTIVE Seeking a highly challenging upper level Manufacturing Management opportunity
EDUCATION Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering Mechanical Engineering
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona California State University, Fullerton
August 1984 - December 1987 June 1982 - June 1984
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Leadership/ Management Top Line Growth Operational Excellence
Safety Programs New Business Development Optimized Work Force
LEAN/Kaizen/5S Capital Projects / ROI Capacity / Productivity
P&L / Budgeting New Product Introductions Cost Reductions
Six Sigma Organic Growth / Build Ground Up Engineering/Maintenance/Process
Develop Management Teams Extrusion/Molding/Packaging Environmental/Quality ISO/Class 100,000
Supply Chain Custom Order Optimization
Human Resources SAP, AS400, JDE, OSHA
Strategic Planning WebEff, Matec, GDC
Acquisition/Integration
Plastics, Corrugated, Pharma, Wood
EXPERIENCE
Plant Manager
Parker Hannifin
Tucson, AZ (2020)
Parker Hannifin is a Fortune 250 global leader in motion and control technologies. Tucson Veriflow division serves the semiconductor industries offering PFA & PTFE molded and machine components for gas and fluid controls. Company is a $15B operation with over 300 facilities globally. Tucson's operation generates $20M annually with focus in doubling the revenue in the next 5 years. Processes include injection molding, CNC and assembly (75 total employees). A turn around situation involving realignment of staff and increasing labor capacity. Accomplishments are as follows;
●Re-alignment of senior leads in all departments
●Implemented Zero Safety Tolerance program
●Developed a COVID task force to ensure exceeding CDC safety protocols
●Labor capacity increase by 23% via time studies, TAK time, automation and Kaizen Events
●Achieved all key metric goals for FY20 Q3 & Q4... zero recordable, Net Margins, 98% OTD, 0.3 % customer returns, 89% OEE
●Developed a robust scheduling process to ensure build plans met quantity and revenue targets
●Improved overall employee satisfaction score by 23%
●Involved in purchase negotiations and driving a 10% reduction initiative with outsourced supplies
●Full P & L responsibilities
(lay off due to COVID business loss impact)
Plant/Ops Manager
Berry Global
Lathrop & Anaheim CA (2017- 2019)
Berry Global Group, Inc. manufactures plastic products and containers. The Company produces plastic films, medical specialties, closures, overcaps, tapes, tubes, bottles, drink cups, lids, and trash bags. A global giant operating worldwide with an annual revenue reaching $8B. Primary processes are rotational injection blow molding, printing and labeling (250 total employees). Focus responsibility is to utilize turn-around expertise to enhance the business operation to exceed expectations. Accomplishments are as follows;
Re-aligned employee talent utilization and accountabilities to drive World Class Performance
Developed multiple Kaizen Teams to improve equipment and mold efficiencies along with Kaizen Scrap Reduction Team and Kaizen Cycle Time Reduction Team
Re-ignited Safety and Quality Programs
Renegotiated resin purchase agreements in driving a 7% cost reduction initiative
Enhanced employee engagement and empowerment to further improve facility Culture
Introduced 6S program to drive safety, organization and housekeeping
Enhanced customer satisfaction via developing close communication and business relationships
Developed 2018 Budget and CapX along with Cost Reduction Initiatives to improve by EBITDA by 20%
Full P&L responsibility to exceed budgeted EBITDA
(Mutual separation)
Plant Manager
Inteplast Group/Amtopp Phoenix
Phoenix, AZ (2014 – 2017)
Through three divisions—AmTopp, Integrated Bagging Systems (IBS), and World-Pak— Inteplast manufactures a synergistic and diverse product line that includes stretch films, BOPP films, plastic bags, PVC sheets, and virgin pellets. Inteplast is recognized as the top 3 North American Film Manufacture with +$2B in annual revenue. Processes included cast film extrusion and converting ( 70 total employees). Responsibilities include the establishment and start-up of their first West Coast facility. Accomplishments to date are as follows;
Establish & develop a brand new 500,000 sf stretch film manufacturing facility
Collaborated with contractors to install cast extrusion and film converting lines as well as support equipment
Developed all operational programs (AS400 setup, production operations, safety, quality, purchasing, logistics, maintenance, stocking levels & purchasing)
Hired key employees (office, shipping, production & maintenance)
Developed and tracked KPIs (lbs output, yield & downtime)
Developed a sustainable 5S & TPM programs
Began production within 2 months of construction initiation
Cost Reduction initiatives to standardize corrugated packaging
Ultimately developed a Flag Ship Plant for the organization
(Resigned due to family situation)
Plant Manager
Exopack
Ontario, CA (2012 – 2013)
Exopack is strategically positioned to handle the needs of customers with 11 plastic, 6 paper and 2 coatings facilities with an annual revenue of $700 MM and offers one of the broadest product offerings in the flexible packaging and film coatings industries. Ontario utilizes raw materials such as HDPE & LDPE. Managed 7 direct reports and 70 indirects. Processes include blown film extrusion, printing and converting. Production work orders are all custom orders. Significant accomplishments are as follows:
Enhanced Safety Program to deliver short term and long term goals (Personally led Safety Committee)
Developed Behavior Observation Program (BOP) to improve Safety behavior
Formulated a waste reduction program to deliver 5.5% improvement and resulting in an annual savings of $1.2MM
Improved labor utilization efficiency resulting in an annual savings of $390K
Extensively utilized LEAN/KAIZEN/TPM /CMMS to improve KPIs (Pounds/hr, Waste % & OT %)
Developed and led a 5S program
Improve Quality System to reduce customer returns yielding an annual savings of $900K
Total annual EBITDA improvement of $3MM annually
Improve custom order optimization by way of enhanced production schedules
Enhance employee involvement in various performance improvement initiatives as well as mentoring direct reports
Letter of recommendation from Division President & VP of Sales available
(Lay off due to restructuring)
Operations Manager
JM Huber
Modesto, CA (2011- 2012)
Huber Engineered Materials is a $2 Billion global leader in specialty inorganic PHARMACEUTICAL powders such as silicates, alumina trihydrate, magnesium hydroxide, barium sulfate and calcium carbonate (includes food and USP grades). Innovative materials enhance hundreds of products—from cosmetics to countertops, from toothpaste to industrial coatings for bridges and ships, from paper coatings to pharmaceutical excipients. Key responsibilities are as follows; Manage operation to support business strategies, achieve company targets and budget objectives. Safely and efficiently manage the plant operation in order to meet or exceed customer requirements. This includes the technical, physical, and human aspects of plant operations, plant safety, plant environmental, plant engineering, and plant maintenance. Following Huber’s EH&S, CMS, SOP, cGMP and company policies and procedures is essential to this position. Oversee compliance of all production employees. Managed 5 direct reports and 50 indirects.
Key accomplishments are as follows;
Developed KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) and improved visibility to all levels of operation
Developed a Focus Team to resolve major efficiency issues (particle size & micro bacteria)
Initiated a program to update Batch Records
Optimized custom orders to improve production efficiency
Utilized 5S methodologies to improve housekeeping
Safety champion to ensure zero workplace accidents and injuries (Led Safety Committee)
Ensure quality compliance to Nutrition Compliance Management System which includes FDA 21 CFR 111/211 & Q7A
LEAN methodologies (Kaizen Team) to improve changeover duration which included implementation of a dry ice cleaner
(Plant closure)
Director of Operations
Precision Science
Scottsdale, AZ (2010 - 2011)
Precision Science is a leader in the manufacturing of FDA regulated PHARMACEUTICALS as well as EPA products in the animal healthcare industry with an annual sales of $20MM.
Responsibilities are as follows; Ensuring FDA/EPA compliant manufacturing, Developing and leading the manufacturing operation including manufacturing, supply chain/materials, shipping/receiving and facilities departments as well as ensuring cGMP compliance of the roles, activities and proceedings of all assigned manufacturing personnel. Majority of orders are custom made to order.
Managed 4 direct reports and 25 indirects.
Key accomplishments thru LEAN are as follows;
Developed KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) tracking mechanisms and implemented Kaizen to improve OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) by 12%
Developed and led a Safety Committee resulting in Zero Injuries for rolling 10 month period
Transitioned the Preventative Maintenance program to a CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System)
Developed a highly effective manufacturing scheduling system to reduce overtime from 17% to zero
Managed key projects to ensure FDA compliance
Introduced automation and effectively eliminated all temporary employees
Developed and drove key strategic plan to ensure business growth readiness
Direct hands-on development of new products to further increase revenue and EBITDA
Development of POP, corrugated packaging
Updated all SOPs and GMP
(Resigned due to family issues)
Tekni-plex Corporation (2006 – 2009)
Plant Manager
Natvar (Division of Tekni-plex Corporation)
City of Industry, CA (2008 to 2009)
Transferred to the medical tubing division of Tekni-plex in a Plant Manager capacity with multi-plant responsibility. This division is noted as a leader in tubing extrusion technology for the medical and industrial markets with annual sales of $60MM. Specialized tubing applications under a ISO 13485/Class 100,000 clean room are as follows; intravenous therapy, cardiovascular procedures, urinary drainage and catheterization. Majority of raw materials utilized are as follows; PE, PVC, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polystyrene and ABS. Managed 12 direct reports and 130 indirects.
All orders are made to order. Significant accomplishments are as follows:
$800K annual labor savings by reducing the temporary headcount from 40 to 20
Sponsored Safety Program
Extensively utilized LEAN/KAIZEN/TPM to improve performance metrics
Overtime reduction by 15% >> $560K annual savings
Scrap improvement of 4% >> $72K annual savings
Developed an employee incentive program to promote forward thinking and to improve the morale which led to a
reduction of alcohol usage as a lubricant >> $24K annual savings
Initiated a profit margin analysis and systematically increased the Net Sales per Pound in an effort to improve the EBITDA
Improvement of $.25/lb >> $180K annual sales increase
(Lay off due to restructuring)
Dolco Packaging (Division of Tekni-plex Corporation)
Fullerton, CA (2006 – 2008)
Ranked as the top 6th North American Thermoforming Corporation with annual sales of $700MM. Products produced are polystyrene FOOD packaging containers serving the consumer, institutional, agricultural and food service industries. Managed 10 direct reports and 80 indirects. Processes include sheet extrusion, thermoforming and printing. Significant accomplishments include an annual EBITDA improvement of $800K for fiscal 07.
EBITDA improvement factors thru LEAN principles are as follows:
New product offerings to expand institutional product lines and additional colors with higher contribution margins with a Net Sales increase of $6.0MM. Machine loading capacity modeling was utilized to analyze available capacity
MANUFACTURING EXCELLENCE programs were introduced such as; KAIZEN EVENTS, Process Improvement Teams, AIB, FDA, USDA, Performance Metrics tracking, CPK (Process Capability Index) tracking, Manning schedules & PM programs
Process Improvement Team ( PIT ) includes the following:
Safety Committee and Monthly Audit development
AIB (American Institute of Baking) practice implementation
Changeover improvement
Scrap Reduction Committee
Employee Skill Matrix development and shift skill level balancing
Manufacturing Standard Line Condition (SLC) development
Gram weight reduction program implementation
SPC (Statistical Process Control) & Cpk (Process Capability Index) quality improvement implementation
Inventory reduction of $1.0MM with JIT manufacturing
Resin consumption reduction with recycle introduction
Competitive freight bidding resulting in an annual savings of $70K
Roll stock inventory reduction from 500M lbs. to 200M lbs. with $270K cash flow realization
Additional responsibilities include the following; P&L, Annual Reviews, Wage Package reviews, Capital Expenditure reviews and Consolidated Monthly Reports to corporate. Received a promotion on Nov of 07, as a Czar of Yield Improvement, which includes additional responsibilities to improve the yield across all 8 domestic facilities in lieu of current responsibilities.
Proven track record of accomplishments are directly attributable to mentoring key personnel. I am a firm believer in developing and mentoring employees to broaden their skills to become experts in their field of responsibility.
(Promoted and transferred to the Natvar division)
Unit Manager
FDS Mfg
Pomona, CA (2004 – 2006)
Managed operations of the Protective FOOD Packaging Unit for a $50MM private company manufacturing injection molded berry baskets, thermoformed fruit clamshells, labeled clamshells and corrugated paper products. Processes include injection molding, thermoforming and labeling. Managed 3 direct reports and 150 indirects.
Directly manage 3 of 4 departments with a seasonal average of 200+ employee
Direct reports include Production Supervisors, Technicians, QC and Maintenance Managers
Personally handle all HR issues, hiring and termination
Ensured OSHA compliance are met and maintained
Ensure that product quality meets all required specs
Implemented TPM methodologies
Developed process sheets in all departments to ensure repeatability
Ensured that custom orders are delivered On Time
(Resigned due to career advancement opportunity)
PAST POSITIONS
Senior Process Engineer Pactiv - City of Industry, CA 2000 - 2004
Manufacturing Engineer/Production Manager Intertrade Industries – Huntington Beach, CA 1997 – 2000
Operations Manager Acrylia – Garden Grove, CA 1992 - 1997
Design Engineer ASC Colamco – San Dimas, CA 1988 -1992