Manufacturing & Operations Executive Leader

VATCHE A. DERKALOUSTIAN

MANUFACTURING & OPERATIONS EXECUTIVE

Scottsdale, AZ 714-***-**** *******@*******.*** LinkedIn

EXECUTIVE PROFILE

Manufacturing and operations executive with 15+ years of progressive leadership across cosmetics contract manufacturing, consumer products, plastics, and multi-site operations. Proven record of improving plant performance, profitability, labor productivity, quality, and throughput while leading cross-functional teams across production, engineering, maintenance, warehousing, quality, and HR. Experienced in site P&L ownership, new-facility launches, automation, Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and building accountable, high-performance cultures.

77% 98%

OEE Improvement

+7%

EBITDA Improvement

-23%

Temporary Labor

+40%

Business Expansion

CORE LEADERSHIP EXPERTISE

P&L & Financial Performance • Plant / Site Leadership • Operational Excellence • Lean Manufacturing & Six Sigma • Automation & Productivity • Cost & Waste Reduction • New Facility / Site Launches • Quality & GMP Compliance • Safety & Risk Management • Cross-Functional Leadership • Supply Chain & Vendor Management • Talent Development

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

KLEEN Concepts 2025 – 2026

Site Leader

Led overall site performance with accountability for operations, profitability, productivity, workforce effectiveness, and continuous improvement.

• Increased OEE from 77% to 98% by introducing automation and targeted process improvements.

• Reduced temporary labor headcount by 23% through automation, workforce optimization, and productivity gains.

• Improved EBITDA by 7% through operational improvements, cost controls, and productivity initiatives.

• Owned site P&L and drove accountability for financial performance, cost management, and profitability.

• Led operational excellence initiatives to increase throughput, reduce waste, improve efficiency, and strengthen overall site performance.

Plastpro, Inc. 2024 – 2025

Director of Production

Directed facility operations and financial performance while overseeing engineering, maintenance, production, warehousing, quality assurance, and human resources.

• Established plant policies, operating procedures, productivity metrics, and performance targets aligned with revenue and cost objectives.

• Advanced manufacturing practices centered on quality, continuous improvement, safety, security, and regulatory compliance.

McKenna Labs, Inc. 2021 – 2024

Senior Director of Operations

Senior operations leader for a cosmetics contract manufacturer, directing strategic and day-to-day initiatives across multiple departments.

• Established and launched a new operational site, contributing to 40% business expansion.

• Implemented a high-speed production line and hot-fill line to expand production capabilities.

• Led process improvement, cost-saving, vendor management, supply chain, quality, and regulatory-compliance initiatives.

BAK Industries Chatsworth & San Fernando, CA Springfield, MO 2016 – 2021

Plant Manager

Led plant operations, profitability, strategic execution, capital planning, Lean manufacturing, workforce leadership, and cross-functional performance.

• Established a new manufacturing facility in Missouri.

• Used operational, cost, and forecast data to improve performance against company goals.

• Partnered with HR on hiring, training, performance management, disciplinary actions, and workforce scheduling.

• Supported Engineering and Sales with product-design improvements that reduced cost, strengthened safety, and supported market growth.

Teknor Apex City of Industry, CA 2014 – 2016

Operations Manager

• Directed manufacturing processes, equipment, personnel, production planning, cost controls, and plant performance metrics.

• Reduced downtime and improved operational efficiency through disciplined day-to-day management and resource allocation.

• Strengthened safety performance and team capability through training, standard practices, and process-capability improvement.

Thibiant International Chatsworth, CA 2010 – 2014

Operations Manager

Managed production teams and seven supervisors while aligning Lab, Compounding, QC, Warehouse, HR, and temporary labor resources with production objectives.

• Improved team productivity by 20% and reduced waste by 30%.

• Maintained GMP and quality compliance while implementing SOPs, Lean manufacturing practices, and daily performance reporting.

• Managed staffing, performance reviews, labor analysis, production start-up, work-order reconciliation, and non-conformance response.

EARLIER EXPERIENCE

KIK Custom Products, Los Angeles / City of Industry, CA Operations Manager • Plant Engineer

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering California State University, Long Beach

Contact this candidate