Plant Manager Continuous Improvement
Resume:
ROBERT BRAEMAN
Davis, CA ***16
Cell: 530-***-**** www.linkedin.com/in/robertbraeman *************@*****.***
SUMMARY
Accomplished Lean Manager and Plant Manager with over 30 years manufacturing management experience. This experience has been in various industries which I have been able to adapt to quickly and efficiently. I have held CI, Production and Maintenance management positions. Verbally fluent in Hebrew, basic speaking ability in Spanish.
Areas of Expertise include:
•Program Management • Training / Development
•Lean Manufacturing • Production Cell Design Programmable Logic Control
•Inventory Management (PLC) Programming
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Lauras Consulting – Contract Work February-May 2025
Consulted at medical device company. Improved down time from 47% to 5%. Analyzed equipment to improve quality 70% to 86%.
Cardinal Health, North & Central America 2021-2025
Deployment Lead Manager
Traveled 100% of the time to North & Central American sites to work with local teams to improve production process. Triple the capacity of a catheter production line by introducing a new production flow without requiring revalidation. Double the receiving capability of a cross dock/receiving department. Developed plan to save $270k in labor cost in Mexico. This plan will be implemented 2024 fiscal year. Assisted in the implementation of Word Class Maintenance. Improved automated machines OEE from mid 50s to high 80, low 90s. Lead team to eliminate the need to reprocess gauze in a bleacher. Led teams to reconfigure 5 production lines saving over $4.8m annually. The site won the “Value Improvement Project” award in the company for FY24. Analyzed data to understand the performance of production lines. Performed in depth time studies to increments of 1/10 second. Team member that performed assessment of sites to identify improvement projects. Tracked savings of projects completed. Trained local personnel in lean manufacturing.
Jeldwen Window and Doors, Rocklin CA 2018-2021
Continuous Improvement Manager
Improved flow process in repair station, fallout replacements. Created supermarket for line of production that increased output by 25%-60%. Designed workflow & Kanban system to new line with limited space. Managed capital requests for new equipment and infrastructure, $90,000 and $144,000 respectively. Instrumental in installation of new line. Redesigned warehouse to accommodate the new line. Wrote standard works & SOPs.
Mentored production personnel in lead positions. Trained on 7 wastes, 5S, and Kanban processes.
Throughout Tenor:
Maintenance Manager - worked with safety manager to complete numerous safety improvements. Managed team of 4 maintenance techs.
Production Manager- increased output by 15%.
Kapstone Paper, Oakland, CA
2016 - 2017
Continuous Improvement/Quality Manager
Interface with customers on quality issues. Identified key issues to address using Lean Tools. Trained key personnel on 5S.
•Wrote standard works for quality inspection, customer complaints and returns, quality control on intricate orders.
•Created and perform new hire quality training.
•Identified flaws in automated conveyor system requiring contractors to return and complete work.
•Replaced plant manager for end of year inventory upon unexpected departure.
Serta Simmons Bedding, San Leandro, CA 2014 - 2016
Continuous Improvement Manager
Lead events to organize layout of production including two single piece flow lines. Developed training tools in single piece flow and 5S. Trained personnel in single piece flow, time observations, and 5S.
•Mattress single piece flow line has been implemented in other facilities with 10 - 25% improvements & $80,000 in labor cost reductions.
•Box Spring single piece flow line created 3500 square feet of space & reduce labor costs by $120,000. The space create is used to store mattresses formerly stored on rented trailers eliminating $6,800 a month in rental fees.
•Border flow line eliminated 75% in waste.
•Co-Lead safety committee reduced recordable accidents from 14 in 2014 to 1 in 2015.
GOODRICH / UNITED TECHNOLOGIES, Fairfield, CA 2009 – 2014
Continuous Improvement Specialist 2012 – 2014
Sourced and procured new equipment. Designed and implemented single-piece production lines. Mentored operators in lean manufacturing. Devised Total Preventative Maintenance (TPM) system, tools and trained all departments. Procured and designed Creform stations, improving ergonomics.
•Led Kaizen event in Rocket Motor Assembly department, reducing cycle-time from over 15 minutes to less than 4 minutes.
•Facilitated 5S event, eliminating over 20 tons of waste and creating 1,000s of feet of green space.
•Led SMED event, reducing change over from 1 hour to 10 minutes.
•Led Greenbelt Six Sigma investigation, reducing scrap rate from over 50% to less than 1%.
•Participated in site acquisition of UTC's Qualifying and Bronze Certification in Lean Manufacturing, meeting required criteria.
Cartridge Activated and Linear Devices Value Stream Manager 2009 – 2012
Managed team of over 50 personnel comprised of production supervisors, planners, engineers, engineering interns and various operators. Employed and promoted engineers and planners. Interfaced and supported Quality / Test, Document Control, Finance Department, DCMA (Defense Contract Management Agency), and Ergonomist Consultant. Collaborated with customers from Boeing, U.S. Air Force and Navy.
•Implemented single-piece flow, reducing shielded mild detonating cord production time 60% to 90%.
•Introduced new product line, exceeding production forecasts 30%.
•Integrated 100s of products from another facility into existing production flow.
•Led SMED event, reducing loading press set up from 3 hours to 5 minutes.
EDUCATION
AS Practical Engineer, Operations and Control Systems, Rupin Collage, Ruppin, Israel
BS, International Business, Minor in Middle East Studies, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT/CERTIFICATIONS / RECOGNITION Certifications
•Goodrich Environment Health and Safety Training Lean Manufacturing
•Six Sigma Black Belt
Trainings
•Six Sigma Green & Black Belt
•Program Management, Project Management Institute
•Wittman Robots, Plastics Injection, Lean Manufacturing, Safety Compliance and Communication, UTC and
Plasson facilities
Recognitions
•Voted Outstanding Soldier in Battalion, March 2003
COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS
Mentor, Davis High School Robotic Club, 2007 – 2011
Volunteer Fire Fighter, 1997 – 2003
Reservist, suburban search and rescue, 1991 – 2003
Member, Kibbutz Budget Committee, distribution of $6M to on-site public service committees, 2000 – 2003
Volunteer – 5S events – local schools and charities, manage donation of goods and materials
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