Production Supervisor Continuous Improvement
Resume:
GARY R. TAYLOR, MBA
Homewood, IL 60430
*************@*******.***
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Experienced Industrial Engineer with 19 years of expertise in optimizing manufacturing processes, implementing Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies, and driving cost-saving initiatives. Proven ability to streamline operations, reduce waste, and enhance productivity while collaborating with cross-functional teams to align engineering strategies with business goals. Skilled in fostering continuous improvement and promoting sustainable manufacturing practices.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Givauden – Bedford Park, IL
Production Supervisor
May 2025 – Present
Manage partnerships with labor agencies to fulfill staffing needs, supporting uninterrupted production workflows.
Lead daily production meetings and optimized scheduling and overtime management, resulting in a 15% increase in on-time order completion while maintaining a safe, compliant work environment.
Oversee production planning and team deployment, leveraging lean manufacturing to streamline operations, minimize waste, and consistently achieve production targets.
Develop and implement a training program for newly introduced equipment, ensuring staff proficiency and operational efficiency.
Implement TPM strategies, improving equipment reliability and achieving a 12% increase in operational efficiency.
Woodward, Inc. – Rockford, IL
Operations Engineer
July 2022 – April 2025
Spearheaded the implementation of complex engineering changes, reducing production downtime by 15% and improving operational efficiency.
Delivered regular operations updates to senior management, providing actionable insights that drove strategic decision-making.
Initiated and executed advanced capital equipment purchases, leading to a 20% increase in production capacity and enhanced precision in manufacturing.
Developed and maintained comprehensive process documentation, streamlining workflows and improving cross-functional team alignment by 25%.
Designed and implemented innovative systems to automate work order documentation, reducing manual input errors by 30% and accelerating processing times.
Bridgestone OTR Bloomington – Normal, IL
Process Engineer
September 2012 – July 2022
Led the qualification of new equipment and products, achieving a 20% reduction in ramp-up time for production readiness.
Developed and standardized production procedures and work instructions, improving operational consistency and reducing errors by 15%.
Proposed and implemented quality improvement initiatives and cost reduction strategies, resulting in annual savings of over $500,000.
Awarded the 2015 President's Award for leading a team that successfully developed and qualified 21 new tires, completing the project 14 months ahead of the corporate deadline.
Issued and implemented Engineering Change Notices (ECNs) to streamline trials, process developments, and production adjustments, ensuring seamless integration and enhanced efficiency.
Chrysler (Belvidere, IL)
Production Supervisor
June 2008 – November 2008 / April 2011 – September 2012
Supervised a team of 56 union employees, achieving a 10% increase in line efficiency through effective leadership and resource allocation.
Facilitated daily production meetings with management and union teams, fostering communication and resolving issues to meet production targets.
Successfully implemented new cellular layouts for the Dodge Dart launch, reducing cycle times by 12% and ensuring a smooth production start.
Strategically managed daily personnel placement across production lines, optimizing workforce utilization and meeting operational demands.
Championed continuous improvement initiatives, enhancing product quality and reducing defect rates by 8%.
Mitsubishi Motors (Normal, IL)
Material Handling Supervisor
November 2008 – February 2011
Supervised a team of 18 union employees, improving material flow efficiency by implementing Just-In-Time (JIT) and First-In-First-Out (FIFO) methodologies.
Attended and contributed to daily management meetings, driving process alignment and addressing material handling challenges to meet production targets.
Reduced equipment downtime by 15% through rigorous oversight and timely completion of preventive maintenance (PM) for lift trucks.
Ensured seamless coordination with quality assurance and transportation teams to minimize damage and maintain material integrity.
Enforced company policies by issuing disciplinary actions when necessary, fostering a safe and compliant work environment.
Gunite Corporation (Rockford, IL)
Production Supervisor
September 2007 – May 2008
Directed daily operations of union and non-union production employees, increasing line efficiency by 10% through strategic personnel placement and resource allocation.
Managed workforce scheduling, including start times, overtime, attendance, and disciplinary actions, ensuring consistent productivity and compliance with company policies.
Coordinated preventive maintenance schedules, reducing equipment downtime by 15% and maximizing production line efficiency.
Maintained minimal grievances by adhering to union rules and fostering effective communication between management and union representatives.
Oversaw workflow assignments and optimized production schedules to consistently meet or exceed daily output targets.
P.G.I. (Rockford, IL)
Shipping/Receiving Supervisor, Production Control, Quality Control
September 2005 – September 2007
Optimized production efficiency by scheduling machine hours with appropriate materials, ensuring a 12% improvement in on-time delivery rates.
Supervised, scheduled, and managed a team of six employees, achieving consistent adherence to production schedules and quality standards.
Oversaw the receiving of raw materials and shipping of finished goods, reducing material handling errors by 15% through improved processes.
Managed Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) operations (manual and automatic) to ensure precision and performance optimization of machine parts, reducing rework by 10%.
Conducted detailed inspections of incoming materials, in-process operations, and final products, ensuring compliance with quality standards and specifications.
Collaborated with managers to meet and exceed production deadlines, driving a 95% success rate for scheduled deliverables.
Applied Lean Manufacturing, Just-In-Time (JIT) inventory principles, and OSHA standards to streamline operations and maintain a safe working environment.
FIELD OF EXPERTISE
Lean Manufacturing & Six Sigma
Quality & Process Improvement
Ergonomics & Quality Control
Leadership Communication & Supervision
Daily Briefings & Problem Solving
Value Stream Mapping & 5S Organization
Cellular Manufacturing & Kanban Systems
Total Productive Maintenance
ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE
Ashford University (San Diego, CA)
MBA – Business Administration Program: Organizational Leadership
Graduation Date: November 2017
Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL
Graduation Date: December 2004
Bachelor of Science: Engineering/ Industrial Technology
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