STEVEN D. LaFON
**** ******** ***** | Davison, MI 48423 | 810-***-**** | *********@*****.***
Manufacturing / Operations / General Management
Expertise in Purchasing & Inventory Control
Intuitive, proactive leader with more than 25 years of progressive experience providing strategic direction
and leveraging business acumen to drive the organization. Keen assessment abilities enhanced by effective
communication and problem-solving skills with an eye for details. Hands-on, common sense management
style. Core competencies include:
Operations Management
Purchasing & Procurement
Inventory Control/JIT Process
P&L Management
Costing
Quoting
Forecasting
Quality & Safety
Continuous Improvement
Employee Management
Business Development
Customer Relations
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Semtron, Inc. | Flint, Michigan 1987–Present
Global provider of custom stamping and connectivity solutions for audiovisual applications.
General Manager (1997–Present)
Purchasing Manager (1989–1997)
Inventory Control Manager (1987–1989)
Scope of Responsibility
De facto leader of well respected, privately held $2.5M company. Direct all facets of organization: finance,
operations, manufacturing, purchasing/inventory, engineering/design, and personnel. Provide collaborative
leadership of out-of-state metal stamping facility. Champion the company’s commitment to 100% customer
satisfaction in quality, pricing, and delivery.
Key Initiatives
Support mutually beneficial relationships with select distributorships based on 1-tier pricing schedule.
Capitalize on company’s size and flexibility to react quickly to customer requests and emerging markets.
Countered downsizing of workforce by implementing highly effective cross-training program.
Cultivated and sustain corporate culture conducive to employee satisfaction and retention.
Instigated research, purchase, and customization of software to improve efficiency enterprise wide.
Highlights of Effectiveness
Introduced sweeping improvements to inefficient purchasing and inventory systems, leading to
$800K savings in 2 years and sustained savings moving forward.
Cut order-to-payment cycle in half from 100+ to 50–55 days.
Slashed annual requests for RMAs from $100K+ to $3K.
Earlier Experience:
Material Control Manager | Genesee Packaging – Flint, Michigan | 11 years
EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Detroit College of Business [now Davenport University] | Associate of Business Administration
Michigan State University | Financial Management for Small Businesses