Plant Manager Drilling Fluids

MICHAEL C. MILLER

*** ** **** ****, *** *** *******.******@*******.***

Conroe, TX 77384 Cell: 630-***-****

TECHNICAL MANAGER / DIRECTOR / VP

Chemical industry executive with experience delivering step out performance in chemistry, technical management, customer and supplier interface working with cross functional teams to standardize processes and procedures to improve productivity, product quality and customer satisfaction in a variety of market segments. Experienced with various government and industrial regulations and their compliance. Implemented successful strategies in product & process improvements, sales & marketing, business operations, innovation, and portfolio management to drive both top and bottom-line growth. Ability to adapt and adjust to dynamic business environments and distill information quickly into the actionable initiatives that deliver value. A talent for building cohesive teams focusing on employee productivity and performance to achieve aggressive corporate goals.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

R&D/ QC / QA / EH&S

SAP, Salesforce, Sharepoint, Chempax

Process & Product KPI/Control Charting

Organizational Process Improvement

Project Management

Cosmetics

Regulatory Compliance

Metalworking Fluids & Tribology

Coatings

Applications & Technical Support

Lubricants/Greases/Oils/Coolants

Downhole Drilling Fluids (O & G)

Process Scale-up

Cleaners

Food Chemistry/Sensory Evaluation

Major Accomplishments:

Held leadership positions in both public and private equity owned companies in various parts of the chemicals value chain including chemical distribution, chemical intermediate manufacturing, finished consumer brands, contract manufacturing, and testing services.

Coordinate, develop, and implement formulary kits designed to demonstrate the use of raw materials in new MWF and HI&I applications for a major worldwide distributor.

Organized and implemented procedures in seven (7) Lubricants and Cleaners Laboratories to improve efficiency and turn around time for work flow and project completion for R&D, QC, and technical service projects.

Coordinate and implement regulatory compliance with revision of MSDSs/SDSs and product data sheets to meet the GHS mandated 16 section SDS format for four companies with about 500 -200 products each.

Verify and update formulations, blend procedures, packaging and hazard information for all products and raw materials in an electronic (computerized) chemical management system (Chempax).

Compile a searchable database for three (3) companies for raw material and product performance, formulation information, and physical & chemical characteristics allowing faster and more accurate selection and screening for technical and sales personnel.

Compile a one source database location with unpublished/not for public dissemination of all information concerning in house and competitive products and raw materials for two major raw material distributors.

Develop structure-property relationships for raw materials and products for use by technical, sales, and marketing for three (3) manufacturers.

Monitored and coordinated with various departments as regulations changed effecting final products.

Revised existing and developed new testing protocols for lubricants, greases, coolants, and cleaners for seven 7 companies and multiple clients of two (2) distributors.

Conducted multiple technical presentations including local & national meetings such as STLE, (Microtap Tapping Torque and Formulating Low Foam Metalworking Fluids), NLGI. and ASTM

Developed procedures for evaluation of products utilizing production and bench level test equipment and correlated to field performance evaluations.

Acted as primary departmental intermediary and consultant to clients and suppliers, which involved product benchmarking, project management, formulation assistance, performance testing, report writing, presentations and speeches.

Developed positive contract laboratory cash flow within one (1) year while decreasing turnaround time from an average of 1-months down to 1 week with routine samples turned around in 1-2 days.

Developed new strategy for formulators as it pertains to formulation of emulsion technology utilizing a multi-tiered HLB approach to the surfactant additive package.

Improved formulations while reducing costs as much as 50-60% and improving price margins for a net gain of 2+ millions dollars a year.

Received the first ever D.A. Stuart US Technical Award (1999) for cost reductions and product development of a low cost, very low foam semi-synthetic product without defoamers.

Coordinated the development and implementation of a new coolant for a $1.5MM Big 3 automotive metalworking account.

Took part in maintaining ISO 9000 and QS 9000 certification and acted as internal auditor for two companies.

Coordinated the development and implementation of a low foam, heavy duty, aluminum and multi-metal machining coolant exceeding performance of major competition.

Coordinated the development and implementation of a new technology vegetable oil based semi-synthetic coolant that was marketed as an environmentally friendly fluid.

Managed and directed development and design of pilot and full-scale chemical purification and recycling plants (lubricants, glycols, engine coolants, polymer and specialty chemicals) up to $5 MM. from inception through to completion.

Designed, developed and coordinated the implementation of patentable processes for lubricants, engine coolants, glycols and diols, depolymerization of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), electron beam and UV crosslinking of polymers.

Business Leadership & Development:

P&L Management

Talent Acquisition & Development

Cross-functional Collaboration

Management of Diverse Teams

Budget Administration

Project Management

Mentorship and Coaching

Persistent Problem Solving

Visionary

Executive Level Relationships

Value Selling

Technical Marketing and Product/Portfolio Management

EDUCATION

Illinois Benedictine College, Lisle, IL B.S. Program in Chemistry

University Of Illinois, Chicago, IL B.S. Forensic Chemistry

Roosevelt University, Chicago, IL Master’s Degree Program in Chemistry

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

First Ever D.A. Stuart US Technical Award

Soc. of Tribologists and Lubricant Eng. (STLE)

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

2021-Present Ashburn Chemical Technologies, Technical Director - MWF & Lubricants / HI&I

Manage the LMWF/HIC (HI&I) laboratory, R&D/QC, formulations, regulatory, and technical and application problem solving for products including lubricants, metalworking fluids, coatings, cleaners, etc. Interfaced with suppliers, customers and sales force to recommend products and resolve technical issues. Standardized technical reports with data, diagrams, and photos and implemented a project management system to reduced turn around time to 4-5 days for routine work and 50-60% for research projects. Expanded product line, filled voids, added new products. Implemented process procedures to document all technical activities. Implemented a web based SDS software creations system. Mentored technicians to educate them in formulation techniques. Due to the substantial price increases and shortage of raw materials, changes to formulas were introduced in days as compared to months so that product sould be produced with a higher profit margin.

2017-2021 Univar Solutions (2019-2021)/Nexeo Solutions, Technical Manager- MWF & Lubricants / HIC (HI&I)

Manage the LMWF/HIC (HI&I) laboratory of a global distributor including research and development, formulations, and technical and application problem solving for customers that manufacture lubricants, metalworking fluids, cleaners, etc. Interface with suppliers, customers and sales force to recommend products and resolve technical issues. Organized a system to create and disseminate formulation test kits utilizing the companies focused raw materials. Worked as part of a cross functional team along with suppliers to create a physical and performance based line card that formulators and the sales team could use to focus on critical raw materials. Kept up to date with new and developing trends and technologies and presented these to sales and customers with presentations and marketing literature.

2015-2017 Diversified Chemical Technologies, MWF Laboratory Director

Manage the MWF laboratory including R&D, formulations, and technical application problem solving for the manufacturer of lubricants and metalworking fluids. Interface with customers and sales force to recommend products and resolve technical issues. Develop formulations, coordinate and consolidate MWF product line, keep up to date with new and developing technologies.

2008-2015 CLC Lubricants Corporation, Research Director

Manage laboratory including inventory monitoring and control, research and development, formulations, quality control, analytical testing, and technical and application problem solving for the manufacturer of cleaners, lubricants and metalworking fluids. Interface with customers and sales force to recommend products, resolve technical issues, and educate customers with white papers, in-person presentations, technical reports. Interface with regulatory agencies and monitor all activities concerning EPA, DOT, OSHA, and ISO 9000 certification including writing MSDSs/SDSs SOPs, workstation instructions and updating electronic chemical management system (Chempax). Created a inventory management process and labelling of raw materials to improve blend process and shorten cycle time. Time spent looking for raw materials was reduced hours per day for each of 3 blenders.

2005-2008 Michael C. Miller Consultants, Downers Grove, IL, (1994-1997) Principle/Consultant

Consult in regulatory compliance, R&D, analytical chemistry, formulations, distillation, product, process, and method development, and process chemistry.

2003-2005 Surtec Inc., Valparaiso, IN, Plant Manager

Manage all aspects of production including reactions, blending, costing, inventory monitoring and control, quality control, analytical testing, overall improvement of the manufacturing process, production scheduling, product performance, and technical and mechanical problem solving for the manufacturer of silicone and silicone glycol polymers, intermediates, and emulsions for the inks and coatings and cosmetic industries. Coordinate and assure all regulatory compliance in production and waste disposal.

2002-2003 Ondeo Nalco Chemical Company, Naperville, IL, MWF Technical Specialist - Global

Managed product line as part of the Tactical Marketing Fluid Technology Group (FTG). Consolidated the product line and provided a product selection guide prior to dissolution of the FTG. Interfaced with quality control, production, sales, R&D, and marketing personnel and clients in technical aspects of product application and performance, machining improvements, and technical problem solving. Performed field technical support for sales during support visits to customers and potential customers.

1997-2001 D.A. Stuart Company, Warrenville, IL, Senior Chemist

Formulated water and oil based metalworking coolants including soluble oils, semi-synthetics, and synthetics products in an ISO9000 and QS9000 environment. Interfaced with quality control, production, sales and marketing personnel and clients in technical aspects of product application and performance, machining improvements, and technical problem solving. Follow new product development from bench level testing through field trials and up to full production scale rollout. Acted as technical support for sales during support calls to customers and potential customers. Provide technical training to sales personnel for products and applications. Provide input for creation of regulatory compliance of new products and internally manufactured intermediates/raw materials.

1988-1994 REGENEX, Inc., Chicago/Des Plaines, IL, Research Director

Designed/developed R&D/QC laboratory facilities and chemical processes for a recycler of glycols/oils/lubricants and manufacturer of engine coolants. Coordinated projects/activities of chemical recycling processes/products R&D and the quality control aspects of in process, finished products and batch processing utilizing SPC. Coordinated all regulatory compliance, laboratory testing, formulation development, process and product development utilizing such techniques as GC, GC/MS, HPLC, ICP/AA, TLC, IC, UV-VIS, IR, various types of distillation, filtration, reverse osmosis and other purification methods, high pressure reactions, pilot and process scale-up, polymer unzipping, oil purification, glycol purification, polymer/resin production and engine coolant formulation and production.

Contact this candidate