Microsoft Office Suite - 8 Years
Benjamin Kern
Manager, Machinist & Welder
Kalispell,MT
Summary
Energetic leader with close to a decade of manufacturing industry experience with a superior record of accomplishment. Ambitious, highly motivated, and one to always excel at surpassing demanding objectives and takes great pride in achieving and exceeding set goals.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
2
2
years of post-secondary education
2
2
Certifications
Work History
Production Manager & CNC Machinist
Rogue Barrels LLC
Kalispell, MT, MT
06.2021 - Current
- Assessed manufacturing processes and implemented improvements to increase productivity.
- Supervised existing employees as well as recruited and interviewed new personnel.
- Built and curated strong business relationships between vendors and customers, handling many aspects of customer service and insured that clients received the highest quality product and service
- Established manufacturing procedures and coordinated closely with the Engineering department to ensure quality production and achieve the highest grade of manufacturing possible
- Created and implemented a robust Quality Control department and built procedures and systems to maintain product quality
- Mentored subordinates and helped create a work space where employees enjoyed their duties, always put their best effort into the work required and were made aware of the value they brought to the table
- Setup, programmed, and operated several CNC lathes and taught employees within the department how to do likewise
Welder and Machine Operator
Applied Materials
Kalispell, MT
01.2021 - 06.2021
- Set up, programmed, and operated Haas TM-2 Mills to produce precision parts, while maintaining awareness of approximate job completion times and dimensional requirements.
- Read and interpreted blueprints and schematics for work to be performed.
- TIG welded various stainless steel and mild steel assemblies
- Took ownership of assigned work stations and self-managed assigned projects in order to streamline workflow and to increase efficiency and reduce possibility of incorrect manufacturing errors
Apprentice Carpenter
Michael Creighton Construction
Kalispell, Montana
06.2017 - 12.2020
- Typical work included pouring concrete, landscaping, drywalling, roofing, framing, renovation, and electrical work
- Supervised and directed personnel that were at a junior level and helped act as a mentor to bring the quality of their work to the expected levels
- Accepted feedback from foreman and journeyman carpenters, implementing feedback into future work.
- Carefully read blueprints, sketches and technical drawings to build a comprehensive understanding of project scope and specifications.
- Kept team members safe and job sites free of hazards by maintaining good organizational skills at all stages.
CNC Machine Operator
Defiance Machine
Columbia Falls, Montana
10.2018 - 09.2020
- Operated 3 5-axis CNC milling machines and 4 EDM machines.
- Continually took on new responsibilities included inventory management, diagnosing, repairing, and maintaining CNC machines, quality assurance, and workflow management for several work stations.
- Trained and mentored new team members on proper machine set-up procedures.
Lumber Yard Associate
Western Building Center
Kalispell, Montana
05.2018 - 08.2018
- Streamlined material delivery processes which increased efficiency and reduced downtime.
- Handled daily customer service aspects, including maintaining positive and ongoing relationships with external customers and freight partners.
- Assembled orders and packed items for shipment, conveying orders to shipping personnel.
- Quickly answered all job-related inquiries from supervisor and delivered updates on anticipated task completion times.
Machinist
McGowen Precision Barrels LLC
Kalispell, Montana
01.2015 - 06.2017
- Programmed and operating 4 CNC and manual lathes, 5 Pratt & Whitney deep hole drills and reamers, and 1 rifling machine
- Performed product order management, and closely managed each step of the quality assurance process for each product.
- Used CNC and manual equipment to perform both initial and final machining.
- Calibrated machines to maintain required productivity levels and adherence to quality standards.
- Assessed equipment after each production run, performing preventive maintenance to keep machines running smoothly.
- Mentored and trained crew members on Bore Drills and Lathes
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Welding & Non-Destructive Testing
Flathead Valley Community College
Kalispell, MT 01.2018 - 05.2020
Skills
Leadership
undefinedSoftware
Dassault Solidworks CAD - 1 Years
Autodesk Fusion 360 CAD & CAM- 2 Years
Certification
X-Ray, Ultrasonic, Magnetic, Eddy Current, and Liquid Penetrant Testing Formal Training Level I & II- 2018 to 2020
References
Gregg Fikes
Previous Supervisor
Phone: (210)-840-5641
Email: grggfks@gmail.com
Blake Thompson
Previous Instructor at FVCC
Phone: (512)-630-1768
Email: bthompson@fvcc.edu
Rich West
Mentor
Phone: (406)-892-9062
Letter of Recommendation
To whom it may concern, I am writing this letter to recommend and evaluate Benjamin Kern as a skilled CNC machinist, supervisor, and as an individual. Ben and I worked together at Rogue Barrels / Rogue Development for a period of almost one year. As an employee, Ben was always reliable, on time and up for the task at hand. Not only is he knowledgeable in CNC set up and operation but he possesses the rare ability to adapt to new challenges and to invent solutions for a productive and efficient environment and to produce trouble free operations for his subordinates. Ben has the ability to communicate effectively with his teammates and he utilizes this skill to effectively train and lead his team productively. I have always put a premium on leadership and problem solving and Ben never failed to deliver on both fronts. Ben has a “can do” attitude and I would not hesitate to hire him should our paths cross again. I am truly sorry that our time at Rogue development has come to end and we both must move on to other opportunities. Should you have any further questions, feel free to call me.
Gregg Fikes
Chief Operating Officer
Rogue Development Group
210-840-5641
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Quote
I can’t understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I’m frightened of the old ones.
John Cage
Timeline
Production Manager & CNC Machinist
Rogue Barrels LLC
06.2021 - Current
Welder and Machine Operator
Applied Materials
01.2021 - 06.2021
CNC Machine Operator
Defiance Machine
10.2018 - 09.2020
Lumber Yard Associate
Western Building Center
05.2018 - 08.2018
Associate of Applied Science - Welding & Non-Destructive Testing
Flathead Valley Community College
01.2018 - 05.2020
Apprentice Carpenter
Michael Creighton Construction
06.2017 - 12.2020
Machinist
McGowen Precision Barrels LLC
01.2015 - 06.2017
X-Ray, Ultrasonic, Magnetic, Eddy Current, and Liquid Penetrant Testing Formal Training Level I & II- 2018 to 2020
Multiple Welding Certifications in SMAW, FCAW, and GTAW processes - 2018 to Present
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