Kenneth J. Vara

** ******** *****, ***** ** *****-Cell 973-***-**** adw0mx@r.postjobfree.com

Professional Summary

Accomplished leader with a proven ability to improve operational performance. Drive factory execution, build alliances, manage change and implement initiatives that support organizational effectiveness.

Skills

Project Management

Extensive EH&S experience

Process Safety Management

Mixers, motors, pumps and mills

Quality assurance and control

In-depth OSHA knowledge

Cost reduction strategies

ISO 9001 Certified

Work History

Production Manager/Facility Manager, 06/2022 - 04/2023

Scientific Design-Little Ferry NJ

Effectively manage production for a Chemical Calcination process facility including 40 employees running 4 shifts 7 days.

Responsible for making sure the maintenance department is properly staffed with qualified mechanics along with building a Computer Maintenance Management System.

Responsibilities for day-to-day repairs, projects, ongoing maintenance, security, and upkeep of all properties consisting of 5 buildings.

Responsible to enforce and sustain the 5s program.

Collaborated with EH&S to develop and enforce plant wide safety policy & procedures.

Strategize with the engineering deportment to reduce equipment failure and improve first pass quality to reduce down time and improve OEE.

Built team of supervisors, operators and mechanics to work collaboratively to problem solve and develop resolutions.

Develop a STIP program to incorporate Safety, Production output, and 5s sustainability.

Setup KPI’s to provide targets for the team to gauge progress and insights to make better decisions.

Plant Manager, 09/2005 to 06/2022

Royal Adhesives & Sealants- Wayne, New Jersey

Manage a 25,000 square foot facility employing 30 workers generating $17 million per year at 500,000 gallons annually of blended adhesive, paints & coatings.

Resourceful, pro-active Plant Manager focused on increasing production, minimizing equipment downtime and costs while maximizing overall plant efficiency.

Reconfigured mixing room to improve process flow and maximize production while ensuring a safer work environment.

Improved quality & safety programs to ensure compliance with ISO 9001, OSHA, EHS, DOT, Homeland security guidelines.

Created flexible factory layout to improve cross training, inventory management and organization.

Championed weekly production/sales/quality meetings to review core safety standards, implement best practices, provide consistency between production areas, review challenges and enforces goals.

Manage and coordinate procurement of critical raw materials, equipment and contracted services.

Establish budgetary guidelines for labor, capital expenditures in support of all manufacturing activities.

Achieved revenue and profit growth of 5% yearly.

Reduced staff and overtime while maintaining production levels through a redesign of operational processes and improved training and staff utilization.

Design, implement training, coaching programs to develop staff, facilitate efficiency, and improve performance & safety.

Established end of month cycle count program for key high cost items to improve inventory accuracy.

Process re-engineering to improve quality and resolve solution difficulties in product manufacturing.

Responsible for hiring, training, performance reviews of all facility employees.

Decommissioned facility following plant closure.

Plant Manager, 10/1987 - 10/2005

Rycoline Products- Clifton, New Jersey

Managed a 50,000 square foot facility employing 12 workers generating 110,000 gallons per week of water base and solvent based press room printing chemicals.

Maintain ISO 9001 certification.

Developed a waste management reduction program by coordinating departments to rework alternate division’s products.

Responsible for all hiring, discharging, and performance reviews, office management, purchasing and logistic.

Troubleshoot with field technicians, laboratory, CSR and sales to improve product quality.

Establish training programs to ensure safety, hazardous communications, lock-out tag- out, personal protection equipment, general awareness, blood borne pathogens, hearing conservation, respiratory protection and fire safety are met.

Decommissioned facility following plant closure.

Incident commander of the faculty according to OSHA Hazwoper 40 hour training.

Recipient of “Employee of the Year” corporate wide award.

Education

High School Diploma:

Montville Township High School- Montville, NJ

References available upon request.

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