Operations/Plant/Production Manager

GARY W. SPITZNOGLE

Route *, Box **A, Bridgeport, WV 26330 304-***-**** ****.**********@*****.***

General Manager / Operations Manager

Continuous Improvement / Six Sigma Black Belt / Productivity / Employee Relations / Facilities / Inventory / Scheduling / Global Sourcing / Distribution / Purchasing / Cost Control / JIT / Quality / Safety / OSHA / Sales

Through years of continuously increasing challenges, I have achieved and maintained high level multi-product, multi-market operations despite aggressive competition, cost management pressure and rising customer demands. Having shown the flexibility and skill to transition rapidly and succeed in roles as diverse as manufacturing operations, industrial sales and retail management, I am strongly positioned to play a key leadership role in:

 Maximizing productivity

 Overhauling ineffective methods

 Building collaborative relationships with suppliers and customers

 Turning operating shortcomings into success stories

 Successfully meeting demands of rapid change

I have developed consistent skills in building and leading teams that have succeeded beyond expectation. My career demonstrates the flexibility and drive to achieve fast results with little prep time. I am strongly self-motivated and able to stay focused on the goal whatever the circumstances. I have taken business coursework at Penn State.

SELECTED ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Revamped packaging design and supply. Packaging used at North American Supply division of Prebena required significant labor and was unnecessarily costly. Collaborated with suppliers in development of new packaging design that required less labor, cost less and offered the same protection. Eliminated several positions and cut inventory while maintaining ability to respond quickly to production changes. Reduced costs 30%.

Led reformulation of chemical needed in production. Design and function of North American Fastener plant prevented extension of climate control to all production areas. As a consequence, adhesives used in manufacturing would not bond properly in high humidity during hot weather, causing excessive scrap levels and lost production. Worked with suppliers to develop a new adhesives formula. Reduced scrap 50% and increased production 40%.

Helped suppliers improve quality. Galvanization, spooling and cleanliness problems with steel wire from suppliers was causing unacceptably high levels of scrap. Worked with suppliers at their plant sites to develop better manufacturing processes. Cut scrap losses, increasing Prebena production 50%.

Planned facility redesign that led to cost reductions and productivity improvement. Ongoing business growth and need for greater efficiency necessitated Prebena production site expansion. Revised plant layout. Structured RFPs, assessed bids and supervised construction. Increased production 15% at lower cost.

Ended crisis-level turnover problem. Upon assuming Prebena plant manager assignment, attacked staffing turmoil that had resulted in more than 200 employees moving through just 50 positions in 18 months. Clarified job descriptions, improved interviewing and hiring, expanded training and established professional management / staff communication. Built culture that resulted in 90% of employees staying with the company for many years.

Established international JIT purchasing and supply. Order-to-receipt lead times of up to eight months challenged Prebena’s demand forecasting ability to maintain appropriate inventory while meeting customer demand. Negotiated purchase agreements with vendors in Asia, Europe and North America, establishing lean supply system for raw materials, maintenance supplies, machine parts and packaging to fill over 5500 SKUs.

Developed inhouse repair capability, eliminating need for expensive external maintenance service. No inhouse employees at North American Fastener division of Prebena had been trained to diagnose or repair specialized equipment. German parent company technicians had to spend months on site conducting repair. Set up local repair training, enabling company to save tens of thousands of dollars on expensive technical support.

Augmented strong operations management skills with direct customer sales experience. Prebena’s transfer of production operations to China shifted focus of US management staff to sales and account growth. Established both distributor and direct account relationships. Created $9.5M in new annual business.

Structured benefit policies that improved employee morale. North American fastener division of Prebena had no benefit policies in place, contributing to rapidly escalating problems with employee morale, performance and turnover. Set up comprehensive safety and benefit packages and performance recognition bonuses. Contributed to ending turnover and performance issues.

Gary W. Spitznogle - Page Two

Returned money losing retail operation to consistent profitability. Employee morale problems had impacted almost every area of store performance. Set up staff meeting forum in which issues could be aired and addressed. Restored management / employee relations, cleaned up store appearance and restored order to chaotic inventory. Restored profitability within 90 days. Enabled store to score consistently as top district sales performer.

CAREER SUMMARY

Plant Manager - Prebena / North American Fastener, 1989 to 2009. Planned and directed operations for this producer of industrial staples, nails, steel wire and fasteners. Held P&L responsibility for facilities, distribution, scheduling, inventory, purchasing, quality, safety, HR, maintenance, hazmat control and 24-hour production. Ultimately assumed additional responsibility for sales. Controlled $9M operating budget. Headed on-site staff of 54.

General Manager - Heck’s Department Stores, 1986 to 1989. Ran $3.5M store for this large regional discounter. Responsible for site P&L performance. Developed strong skills in driving productivity growth and assuring customer satisfaction. Left to assume higher level position with manufacturer eager to import valuable and applicable skills.

Assistant Manager - Heck’s Department Stores, 1981 to 1986. Responsible for selected daily operational management activities. Set up logistics of new store openings.

Personal Profile: I am involved in coaching youth baseball, basketball and football. I personally enjoy playing basketball and golf. My hobbies and interests include ATVs and antique cars.

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