Production Supervisor Process Engineer

JOHN A. DRAKE

************@***.*** 828-***-****

SENIOR MANUFACTURING & PROCESS ENGINEERING LEADER

Senior manufacturing and process engineering professional with 30+ years of experience leading production, automation, process optimization, and continuous improvement across medical devices, automotive, textiles, coatings, and packaging industries. Proven ability to reduce scrap, downtime, operating risks through Lean manufacturing, root cause analysis, and disciplined execution in ISO-, FDA-, and OSHA-regulated environments. Deep technical expertise in polymer extrusion, injection/compression molding, lamination, coatings, converting operations, and the application of industrial robotics for packaging, material handling, and component assembly. AutoCAD-2D drafting experience to aid in developing manufacturing layouts, equipment installations, and process flow improvements. Recognized for hands-on production leadership, capital project execution, and cross-functional collaboration that translates operational needs into practical, performance-driven solutions.

Managing and supervising teams from 25 to 85 in number, as well as providing oversight for support personnel

CORE COMPETENCIES

Manufacturing & Production Leadership Process & Production Engineering Continuous Improvement (Lean, Kaizen, 5S, RCA, 8D) Capital Projects & Equipment Start-Ups Polymer Extrusion Injection & Compression Molding Lamination, Coatings & Adhesives Slitting, Converting & Web Handling OEE & Downtime Reduction Quality Systems (ISO 9001, ISO 13485, TS 16949) FDA & OSHA Compliance SPC & Statistical Analysis SOP Development Vendor & Customer Collaboration Training & Workforce Development

Systems & Tools: SAP, EPICOR, Oracle, AS400, MES, MS Excel (Advanced), AutoCAD (2D), WMS, Cost Master

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Abbott Laboratories (Contract via Mindlance) – Winston-Salem, NC

Packaging Engineer (Hybrid, Part-Time) Jan 2024 – Jun 2025

Coordinated suppliers supporting extrusion, lamination, slitting, and converting of medical device packaging substrates

Led cross-functional corrective actions addressing process deviations, raw material issues, and order validation

Supported TPM feedback loops and change implementations improving material performance and assembly readiness

Ensured compliance with FDA, ISO 13485, and internal quality standards

MasterBrand Cabinets – Lexington, NC

Production Supervisor – Lamination Operations Feb 2024 – Jul 2025

Supervised lamination/wrapping operations, driving improvements in safety, quality, delivery, and scrap reduction

Reduced recurring downtime through RCA, equipment trials, and implementation of countermeasures

Supported Kaizen events and CI projects improving throughput and process stability

Trained operators on standard work, setups, and startup readiness, improving shift performance

Tracked OEE, downtime, and order completion; supported equipment layout- updates using AutoCAD

AkzoNobel – Wood Coatings Technologies – High Point, NC

Production Supervisor Mar 2022 – Aug 2023

Led production teams (25 associates) in batch manufacturing, filling, and coating operations within OSHA-regulated environments

Improved 5S compliance and process flow, reducing safety hazards and material handling issues

Conducted RCA on quality defects and customer complaints, implementing corrective actions to reduce rework

Supported equipment trials and process modifications to improve reliability and compliance

Reinforced PPE usage and safe handling of raw and finished chemical products

DNP Image COMM America – Concord, NC

Production / Converting Supervisor Nov 2017 – Mar 2022

Supervised 20–45 operators in photo film converting, slitting, and packaging operations

Improved machine uptime and scrap reduction through troubleshooting, Lean initiatives

Coordinated daily schedules with Production Planning to optimize machine utilization

Supported new equipment installations/ trials to improve converting process capability

Tracked KPIs for downtime, quality, and output using EPICOR

Earlier Leadership & Engineering Roles (Selected – condensed for relevance)

Manufacturing Supervisor / Team Leader / Process Engineer

HP Pelzer Automotive -Supervisor -Injection Molding, Compression Molding, Assembly 2015-2016

Gilbarco Veeder Root -Area Administrator (Supervisor) Supplying parts for Gasoline Pumps OEM 2014-2015

through oversight of machine shop activities (metal cutting, turning, finishing

Carolina Narrow Fabric-Quality Manager/Supervisor-Training, Coaching Techs-Corrective Actions 2013-2014 Steelcase Leam Lead/Supervisor-Daily Coaching, Planning, RCA, problem solving, Lean Mfg, CI 2013

Lydall Thermal/Acoustical-Shift Supervisor-Molding -Lamination-Assembly, Automotive OEM 2010-2012 Glen Raven Technical Fabrics-Project Engr/Mgr; Process Engr, Production Dept Manager 2006-2010

Guthy Rinkler Fulfillment-Production Supervisor, Digital Media Fulfillment-Packaging Oversight 2004-2006

Amcor Flexible Packaging -Supervisor in Medical Pouches, Extrusion/Adhesive lamination (projects) 2003-2004

Thantex Specialties-Process Engineer/Mat’l Manager-Monitor process flow, create procedures, specs. 2002-03

Freudenberg Performance Materials-Manufacturing Coordinator-Product Dev. Manager; Tech Rep 1990-2002

Led production and engineering teams ranging from 15–40+ employees across molding, extrusion, coatings, textiles, medical device products and packaging

Reduced scrap by up to 30% through RCA, corrective actions in extrusion and web-forming processes

Executed capital projects ($10K–$100K) improving capacity, safety, and process reliability

Supported ISO 9001, ISO 13485, TS 16949 audits with strong compliance outcomes

Led equipment installations, process transitions, and vendor-managed start-ups

Developed SOPs, standard work, and training programs to sustain CI gains

SELECTED ACHIEVEMENTS

Reduced scrap 30% by eliminating fiber contamination through RCA and corrective actions

Improved OEE and uptime through Lean, TPM, and equipment performance analysis

Led multiple capital projects ($10K–$100K) delivering safety, throughput, and quality improvements

Supported FDA-regulated medical device manufacturing with zero major audit findings

Introduced new nonwoven laminate products for marine and industrial applications

Successfully managed equipment relocations, start-ups, and vendor-led installations

Implemented visual dashboards and KPI tracking for production and quality performance

Successfully engaged and collaborated with production, maintenance teams to identify, determine root cause and take corrective action to repair the machine stops, bottlenecks-that created downtime in the CNC machine center that produced wood products for furniture frames

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS

Bachelor of Science – Electrical Engineering Technology

Alabama A&M University, Normal, AL

Textile Technology, Yarn Manufacturing, and Business Administration

Aiken Technical College, Aiken, SC

Certifications & Training:

Lean Manufacturing 8-Step Problem Solving SPC & General Statistics ISO 9001 & ISO 13485 Manufacturing Supervision Train-the-Trainer (Zenger Miller) Workplace Diversity

United States Military Veteran, honorably discharged (US Army)

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