Vice President Continuous Improvement

W. Lamonte Heyward

VICE PRESIDENT OF FACILITIES

): 925-***-**** *: **********@*****.*** : LinkedIn

: Flossmoor, IL

Accomplished Director of Operations with extensive experience in operations management, continuous improvement, and strategic planning; backed by expertise in transforming underperforming warehouses and driving substantial revenue growth. Demonstrated success in managing operational budgets ranging from $100M to $300M, achieving significant cost reductions, facilitating scalable growth strategies, and attaining a 15% year-over-year business increase. Recognized for exceptional leadership in achieving top rankings, reducing attrition rates, and optimizing workflow efficiencies, as well as fostering robust relationships with diverse stakeholders.

Operations Management • Executive Collaboration & Leadership • Continuous Process Improvement

Cost Reduction • Strategic Planning • Project Management • Sales & Business Development • Change Management

Recruiting & Staffing Initiatives • Contract Negotiation • Budget Administration • Quality Improvement

Program Management • Community Engagement • Stakeholder Relationship Management

Career Highlights

Transformed an underperforming Amazon warehouse, thus achieving top 15 ranking from the bottom 5, reducing costs by 13% valued at $1.5M per month, cutting leadership attrition by 85%, and decreasing associate attrition from 8.9% to 2.3%, earning recognition for quality and cost improvements in 2021.

—Led the implementation of targeted actions, such as leadership changes, process improvements, focused initiatives, strategic communication, and mentorship programs, which resulted in significant performance enhancements.

Implemented a comprehensive Continuous Improvement Training Program across Amazon's three flagship robotics warehouses in Chicago

—Successfully achieved a 12% reduction in safety performance variation, lowered variable costs to less than 3% in 2023, generated monthly savings of $550K, and established a successful model that was replicated in three other regions nationwide to standardize processes within the robotics network.

Professional Experience

Aunt Martha’s Health & Wellness, 2024 – Present

Vice President of Facilities Management, Chicago, IL (2024 to Present)

Plans and allocates the capital, equipment, and operating budget to support current operations and long-term facility plans. Ensures the reliability of all building mechanical, electrical, fire/life safety, plumbing, and waste management systems. Reviews and negotiates contract terms and conditions for contractors selected for facility projects and the delivery of services. Establishes building operations policies, procedures, and service standards to comply with all local laws and regulations. May be responsible for additional facility-related functions like food services, security, safety, environmental, or administrative services.

Amazon, Various Locations 2015 – 2024

Director of Operations, Chicago, IL (2021 to 2024)

Manage and implement an operational budget ranging from $100M to $300M. Establish safety, customer experience, and productivity objectives, ensuring their successful accomplishment. Create and nurture robust relationships with upstream and downstream customers/suppliers, such as FCs, gateways, sort-centers, and delivery stations. Promote the company's scalable growth by fostering the development and success of every leadership team member.

Established the OneChicago Community chapter in 2022, which involved uniting 35 Amazon sites within the Chicago node to streamline community relations efforts, securing an extra $100K in funding, and coordinating activities through bi-weekly leader meetings.

—Attained an increase in volunteer service hours by 320% and substantial donations ($1.8M in 2022 and $2.5M YTD in 2023), sponsorship of 8 elementary schools, local concert partnerships, over 50 facility tours for community groups, and active participation in more than 35 college and high school career days.

Senior Operations Manager, Tracy, CA and Chicago, IL (2015 – 2021)

Executed strategic planning and forecasting; evaluated performance; recognized accomplishments and addressed concerns; implemented rewards and discipline; and managed staffing requirements. Mentored, trained, and cultivated teammates for career advancement and learning while fostering the development and dissemination of best practices across shifts and the network.

Directed and supervised a team of Operations Managers and 100-300 hourly associates in outbound or inbound operations within the Fulfillment Center.

NCR, Duluth, GA 2011 – 2015

Continuous Improvement Leader (2014 – 2015)

Created and employed comprehensive process improvements, while collaborating with staff and customers to achieve cost-saving changes and exceptional customer satisfaction rates. Conducted thorough data and process analysis to optimize resources to enhance operations for hundreds of staff across national and international locations. Engaged with executive management and staff to cultivate a vibrant company culture. Cultivated positive relationships with key stakeholders and external parties.

Led a cross-functional team comprising Engineering, Parts, 3rd Party repair, and Field technicians to develop and implement a comprehensive service improvement plan.

—Substantially reduced repeat ATM service calls to below 2% within a year, saved over $2.5M, collected $1.5M in parts through consignment agreements, transitioned to smaller vehicles, cut annual fuel costs by $850K, and certified 6 Green Belt Six Sigma leaders.

Implemented results-driven management processes across diverse regions, thus eliminating waste, reducing redundancy, and enhancing accuracy.

Analyzed, tracked, and reported data to facilitate change management, as well as introduced a new data set, which reduced parts usage by 30% and saved approximately $1M.

Field Services General Manager, Western States (2011 – 2014)

Directed staff operations across 11 western US states to encourage the team to achieve highly acclaimed results and year-over-year business growth. Established best standards, staffing requirements, and development programs to ensure optimal performance. Managed recruiting, training, onboarding, and staff reviews to enhance team capabilities.

Implemented new strategic processes and procedures, thus achieving a 12% increase in margins.

Aligned workflow to new standards and motivated the team, therefore reducing service revisits by 19% and maintaining the company's competitive edge within regions.

Spearheaded the design and execution of a sales strategy that drove a 15% year-over-year business increase, as well as led the Regional Sales Team, earning recognition as #1 for two consecutive years.

Managed a dynamic team of more than 500 to provide best-in-class service to a client base valued at $255M, advancing the company from 21st to 3rd ranking within three years.

Earlier Career:

Contracting Manager / Project Manager – Ingersoll Rand - Sacramento / Fremont, CA

Contracts & Procurement Supervisor – Shell Oil Company, Martinez, CA

Engineer Officer – United States Army

Education & Professional Development

Master of Science in Engineering Management

University of Missouri – Columbia, Columbia, MO

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering

United States Military Academy, West Point, NY

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt

Leader Development Certification

Professional Affiliations

National Society of Engineers

West Point Outreach Association

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