Continuous Improvement Operational Excellence
Resume:
JONATHAN MAZE
Edmond, OK
**************@*****.***
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT & OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE MANAGER
PROFESSIONAL OVERVIEW
Results-driven Continuous Improvement and Operational Excellence Leader with over 15 years of experience driving operational efficiency, process optimization, and cross-functional collaboration within complex manufacturing environments. Demonstrates a strong track record of leading large-scale facility launches, implementing lean strategies, and delivering measurable improvements in productivity, cost, and quality. Skilled in managing technical teams, leading kaizen initiatives, and applying data-driven problem-solving techniques. Brings a hands-on approach to leadership and a deep understanding of lean manufacturing, value stream mapping, and engineering principles to support long-term business goals and operational excellence.
SKILLS
Industrial Engineering
Operational Excellence
Project Management
Lean Manufacturing
Value Stream Mapping
Root Cause Analysis
Kaizen
5S
EDUCATION
B.S. Industrial Engineering
Oklahoma, University 2010
CERTIFICATIONS
Lean/Six Sigma Green Belt
Oklahoma, University
Lean/Six Sigma Fundamentals
Oklahoma, University
AIW Leader
Boeing Consulting
Lean Kaizen Facilitator
TBM Consulting
Project Management
Drive Consulting
WORK EXPERIENCE
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT & ENGINEERING MANAGER
Hubbell, Oklahoma City 2022 – 2025
Managed end-to-end execution of a $55M facility launch, including site selection, equipment commissioning, and startup of five value streams supporting $70M in new revenue.
Hired, trained, and led a team of eight technical staff, aligning roles and responsibilities to meet startup and production targets.
Created and delivered lean manufacturing training for over 500 employees, building a common framework for process improvement and daily operations.
Led cross-functional kaizen workshops to streamline workflows and eliminate waste, increasing productivity by 75% in key process areas.
Developed standard work procedures and visual management systems to support consistent execution and reduce operational variability.
Coordinated with engineering and maintenance to optimize equipment layout, improve material flow, and minimize downtime.
Improved line efficiency through takt time balancing, changeover reduction, and error-proofing strategies.
Reduced inventory levels by 40% by redesigning pull systems and improving supplier delivery schedules.
Introduced daily tier meetings and Gemba walks to support issue escalation, drive accountability, and maintain operational focus.
Partnered with quality and compliance teams to address deviations, improve root cause analysis, and reduce response times by 60%.
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT MANAGER
American Plastics, Jefferson City 2020 – 2022
Led enterprise-level process improvement initiatives to align manufacturing operations with business goals and support the successful launch of a high-profile Amazon product.
Implemented digital manufacturing tools, integrating IoT systems to enable real-time monitoring, improve equipment utilization, and reduce response time to production issues.
Collaborated with IT, engineering, and operations to design and deploy data-driven dashboards, increasing visibility into key performance indicators and enabling faster decision-making.
Launched cross-functional improvement programs to drive collaboration between departments, standardize best practices, and accelerate problem-solving.
Built frameworks for continuous improvement that encouraged knowledge sharing across teams, resulting in more consistent performance and reduced variability.
Developed training programs focused on digital workflows and lean principles, increasing team capability and engagement across all levels of the organization.
Optimized end-to-end production processes through value stream mapping, root cause analysis, and implementation of corrective actions tied to measurable results.
Partnered with product development and supply chain teams to ensure operational readiness and support demand scalability for new product introductions.
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT MANAGER
CFS Brands, Oklahoma City 2016 - 2020
Built and sustained a strong continuous improvement culture by supporting cross-functional collaboration and leading operational excellence certification programs, achieving both bronze and silver level recognition.
Applied SMED (Single-Minute Exchange of Dies) methodology to reduce equipment changeover times by 75%, significantly increasing machine availability and production flexibility.
Guided production teams through lean principles and hands-on improvement efforts, resulting in reduced waste, improved line performance, and a major increase in employee engagement from 35% to 95%.
Established structured problem-solving routines and daily management systems to drive accountability and reinforce process discipline across all shifts.
Conducted workshops and on-the-floor coaching to develop team capabilities in standard work, 5S, and visual controls, contributing to a safer and more efficient work environment.
Used performance metrics and operator feedback to identify process gaps, implement improvements, and track gains over time.
Strengthened alignment between leadership and frontline teams through transparent communication and involvement in improvement planning.
OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE MANAGER
Advance Pierre Foods, Enid 2013 – 2016
Managed and maintained SharePoint database to track and report on over $3M in cost reduction projects across multiple departments.
Conducted time studies to identify improvement opportunities, reducing startup time by 10–15% and optimizing resource allocation.
Measured and tracked key performance indicators (KPIs) through weekly scorecards to monitor project progress and line performance.
Developed and implemented capital expenditure requests for equipment upgrades and automation projects supporting cost and labor efficiency goals.
Led line balancing efforts and waste reduction initiatives targeting material usage variance (MUV), inedible product, setup time, and labor inefficiencies.
Executed headcount reduction projects through process redesign and automation without impacting output or quality standards.
Delivered automation projects from concept through execution to improve throughput, reduce overfill, and support packaging efficiency.
Ensured customer specifications were accurately maintained and updated in system documentation to meet 100% compliance.
Oversaw successful bulk pack conversion project to support customer requirements and reduce packaging costs.
Collaborated with cross-functional teams: safety, operations, maintenance, HR, quality, warehouse, and sanitation—to identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives.
Led development, implementation, and control of Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) tracking systems to improve visibility and drive performance.
Trained and mentored plant personnel on lean principles, process standards, and improvement tools to build site-level capabilities.
Shared and standardized best practices across four facilities, supporting cross-training and alignment of improvement strategies.
Evaluated and corrected cost standards to ensure accurate financial planning and performance tracking.
Participated in associate training and development committee to support employee growth and plant capability building.
Conducted plant budget reviews and cost analysis to support strategic planning and financial decision-making.
Provided safety recommendations and collaborated with EHS teams to implement process improvements and reduce risk.
Led process efficiency projects from concept to completion, focusing on practical improvements that delivered measurable impact.
INDUSTRIAL ENGINEER
Spirit AeroSystems, Tulsa 2010 – 2013
Led industrial engineering projects focused on optimizing production flow and increasing overall efficiency across multiple departments.
Applied lean methodologies to identify and eliminate waste, resulting in significant reductions in touch labor costs and operating expenses.
Implemented inventory reduction strategies, improving material turnover rates and reducing excess stock, while maintaining supply chain stability.
Maximized throughput by optimizing production schedules, reducing bottlenecks, and improving machine and labor utilization.
Managed scheduling processes to align production targets with available resources, improving on-time delivery and reducing downtime.
Acted as the focal point for Foreign Object Debris (FOD) initiatives, ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards across the plant.
Coordinated cross-functional teams to address and improve key operational challenges, driving continuous improvement in all areas of the business.
Monitored and analyzed production data to implement corrective actions, driving sustained improvements in efficiency and cost management.
Led and mentored teams on best practices in industrial engineering, lean principles, and operational efficiency, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
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