Manager Engineer

THOMAS G. STEWART

**** *********** **** • Stow, OH 44224

330-***-**** • *******.******@***.***

MID-LEVEL MANAGEMENT:

Engineering Manager, Engineering Director

Experienced Manager, dynamic team leader, big picture thinker, manufacturing strategist and automation innovator. Project management specialist with exceptional manufacturing and technical vision. More than 25 years of demonstrated achievements contributing to superior corporate performance through expert alignment of strategic goals and initiatives and operational performance, new technology deployment, operational turnarounds, best practice cost optimization methods, and continued delivery of demonstrated business value. Skillfully manage resources, cross-functional teams, multimillion dollar projects, and employee development ensuring continuous delivery of top quality products and services. Results-focused, enjoys challenges, with outstanding interpersonal and relationship-building attributes. Creative problem-solver with excellent analytical, planning, and organizational skills. Outstanding communication, client satisfaction, and team-building attributes. Areas of expertise include:

Business Reengineering • Global Project/Change/Technology Management • Supply Chain Analysis • Strategic Planning • Customer Support and Satisfaction • Organizational Transformations • Policy/Procedure Development • Operational Turnarounds • Process Improvement • New Product Design • New Product Launch • Team Leadership/Motivation • Relationship-Building

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

NESTAWAY, LLC, Valley View, OH • 1997 – Present

Nestaway is a quality manufacturer of OEM products such as dishwasher racks, wire shopping carts, high-quality formed-wire and tubing solutions for a diverse customer base including OEM Dishwashing Manufacturers, Grocery Stores, Specialty Stores and Department Stores. Nestaway is the largest independent manufacturer of coated wire dishwasher racks in North America, and is proud to have developed many of the features seen in today's dishwashers, including brand names such as Maytag®, , Bosch® , Whirlpool®, General Electric®, and Electrolux®.

Engineering Manager • 2001 – Present

Responsible for the direction and continuous improvement of the engineering and manufacturing functions for a four facility network. Perform Supply Chain Analysis to identify capacity and capability gaps and develop programs/processes to eliminate any/all inconsistencies. Other duties included the generation of detailed product/process quotations and their subsequent justification and approval. Introduced a formal company wide cost reductions and safety improvement programs. Introduced and implemented LEAN manufacturing principals and a cross-functional team structures customized to meet the expectations of each respective customer on a plant by plant basis. Negotiated and established production agreements and contracts with vendors outside of the US (China and Mexico) certifying their capability, capacity and quality. Reorganized and restructured the engineering and quality teams achieving a 40% departmental salary reduction. Improved quote turn-around time from three weeks to less than five days. Identified and resolved non-value added operations resulting in increased manufacturing efficiency and productivity levels to within 2% of quoted standards. Improved quality levels to less than 150 ppm rejects with a four plant operation. Generated cost savings based on efficiency, productivity, quality, WIP reductions and process improvements totaling in excess of $5.8 million.

Manufacturing Engineering Manager • 1998 – 2001

Responsible for new product design, introduction and launch, existing product redesign for cost reductions, quality improvements, WIP reductions and improved process capability and equipment utilization. Introduced Standard Operating Procedures for all manufacturing processes coupled with an in-line operator testing protocol for QA validation. Implemented a formal company wide training and certification program for machine repair and maintenance personal. Supervise and direct a staff of ten engineers. All projects were a “cradle to grave” responsibility from design thru purchasing, fabrication, assembly, debug, run-off, 1st piece approval and in plant training. Duties were concentrated on the introduction and launch of new product lines (dish washer racks) for Maytag®, , Bosch® , Whirlpool®, General Electric®, and Electrolux®. Exceptionally high level of “hands-on” involvement including the assembly, installation, debug, start-up and training functions. Implemented state-of-the-art wire welding and forming cells resulting in labor cost savings of $3.8 million and scrap based cost savings of $1.1 million.

THOMAS G. STEWART • Page 2 • *******.******@***.***

Automation Manager • 1997 - 1998

Responsible for the identification and resolution of non-conforming manufacturing, process and production operations for a US based four plant manufacturing network. Duties were concentrated on the evaluation of existing manufacturing operations and systems and the generation and subsequent implementation of proposals to improve capacity, capability and quality, reduce cost, scrap and WIP and increase safety. All projects were a “cradle to grave” responsibility from design thru purchasing, fabrication, assembly, debug, run-off, 1st piece approval and in plant training. Implemented state-of-the-art wire end forming operation resulting in an annual labor cost savings of $2.3 million and an annual scrap based cost savings of $750K.

ROYAL APPLIANCE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, Wickliffe, OH • 1996 - 1997

Best known for its Dirt Devil brand vacuum cleaners, Royal Appliance Manufacturing Company is one of the world's oldest vacuum makers. Fueled by sales of its devil-red hand-vacuums, Royal rose to the number-three spot among vacuum companies, behind Hoover and Eureka. In 1937, the company introduced what it called "the industry's first hand-held vac," known either as "the Princess" or the "Royal Prince."

Manufacturing Engineer

Responsible for manufacturing standards, tooling and process layout for new product launch in the “hand vac” manufacturing facility. Additional duties were concentrated on existing process redesign, quality improvements, WIP reductions, cost reductions, make versus buy justifications and employee safety programs. Introduced and implemented the first use of computer based air-decay testing with the company.

MOEN INC., North Olmsted, OH • 1990-1996

Moen is the #1 faucet Brand in America, engaged in the design, development, manufacture, and marketing of plumbing products for kitchen and bathroom applications to residential and commercial markets in the United States and internationally. It provides kitchen faucets in various models, including pullout/pull down spout, one and two handle, pot filler, bar/prep, and butler faucets; kitchen sinks, bar/prep sinks, and kitchen accessories; bathroom faucets, such as sink, tub, bidet, utility/laundry, and wall mount faucets; shower faucets, shower heads and showering accessories, and bathroom accessories; and outdoor faucets. Moen is part of Fortune Brands, Inc. a leading consumer brands company.

Senior Manufacturing Engineer

Responsible for the redesign of manufacturing systems and processes for a US based network of ten facilities as a member of a team of twenty corporate staff engineers. Duties and activities were in support of new product introduction, existing product redesign, quality improvements, manufacturing process improvement and/or replacement, WIP reduction, manufacturing capacity, capability and equipment utilization, cost reduction and employee safety. Directed/deployed a cross functional “swat-team” comprised on multi-disciplined engineers, chemists, metallurgists, QA associated and plant supervisors responsible for the immediate resolution of safety, quality, equipment and process related problems or failures for the ten facility network. All projects were a “cradle to grave” responsibility from design thru purchasing, fabrication, assembly, debug, run-off, 1st piece approval and in plant training. Team leader for manufacturing processes, equipment and testing/validation in the planning, implementation and successful launch of a joint venture in China for the manufacture of kitchen and bath valve bodies. Exceptionally high level of “hands-on” involvement including the assembly, installation, debug, start-up and training functions.

SGS TOOL COMPANY, Munroe Falls, OH • 1987-1990

SGS Tool Company engages in designing, engineering, manufacturing, and delivering solid carbide rotary cutting tools in the United States and internationally. It offers various end mills; burs for foundries and castings, mold and die, turbine manufacturing and repair applications; precision solid carbide drills; solid carbide routers; Ti-NAMITE tool coatings; and reamers and jig boring tools, as well as key seat cutters, saws and countersinks, and internal grinding tools.

CHIEF ENGINEER • 1989 - 1990

Supervised a department of 25 employees comprised of four highly specialized and focused cross-functional teams, Engineering, Assembly, Maintenance and Tool Room. The duties of this department were focused on the design of state-of-the-art CNC tool and cutter grinders, the component fabrication assembly debug installation start-up and in-plant training of all new and rebuilt equipment and maintenance support for a six facility operation. Additional duties included the specification, justification, procurement and installation of all equipment for use on the production floor.

THOMAS G. STEWART • Page 3 • *******.******@***.***

PROJECT ENGINEER • 1987 - 1989

Duties and activities were focused on the design of highly specialized 2-6 axis CNC toll and cutter grinders for in-house use. Responsibilities included mechanical, pneumatic and hydraulic designs and the generation of complete print packages including detailed BOM’s for all components both fabricated and purchased. All projects were a “cradle to grave” responsibility from design thru purchasing, fabrication, assembly, debug, run-off, 1st piece approval and in plant training. Exceptionally high level of “hands-on” involvement including the assembly, installation, debug, start-up and training functions.

US ARMY ARRADCOM, Dover, NJ • 1981-1982

In 1977, the government created the U.S. Army Armament Research and Development Center (ARRADCOM) to take charge of creating new and improving old weapons and munitions. Headquarters of the new command was on the site of the former Picatinny Arsenal in north central New Jersey.

Mechanical Engineering Coop

EDUCATION/TRAINING

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

University of Akron, Akron, Ohio

Demand Driven Manufacturing

Mixed Model Production

Simultaneous Engineering

Product Synchronization

Sequence of Events

Takt & Operational Cycle Time

Material Kanban

Production Kanban

Demand Based Management

JcIT (John Costanza Institute of Technology) Englewood, Colorado

Vendor Certification

Baldwin Wallace College, Cleveland, Ohio

Pro-E, AutoCAD, SURFCAM

REFERENCES

Tom Haag Mike Whalen Joe Teffner

President/CEO President/CEO President/CEO

SGS Tool Company Huntington Learning Center Cubic Blue

54 South Main Street 4176 Kent Road 2934 Warren Meadville Road

Munroe Falls, OH 44262 Stow, OH 44224 Cortland, OH. 44410

330-***-**** 330-***-**** 330-***-****

*****@*******.*** *******@***.**.*** *********@*********.***

Kevin Wolniak Mike Wright Scott Stricklin

Regional Sales Manager Director of Prod. Development/Eng. Head Baseball Coach

Conair Group The Technology House Kent State University

200 W. Kensinger Dr. 30555 Solon Industrial Parkway Kent, OH 44242

Cranberry Twp, PA 16066 Cleveland, OH 44139 330-***-****

814-***-**** 440-***-**** ********@****.***

********@***********.*** ***********@*****.***

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