Blair North
Medford
Summary
Dynamic operations leader with over 30 years of extensive experience in food and beverage manufacturing, recognized for fostering a collaborative and high-performing team environment. Expertise in motivating teams through effective coaching, constructive feedback, and unwavering support, while maintaining a strong focus on employee and food safety. Exceptional communication skills and comprehensive knowledge in Operations, Maintenance, Production, Lean Manufacturing, TPM, Six Sigma, and SQF standards. Committed to driving sustainable productivity through total employee involvement, leadership development, and a culture of continuous improvement.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
US Army
- Signal Corps
Consultant, Continuous Improvement & Operations
North Consulting LLC.
Medford, OR
11.2024 - Current
- Led installation of management operations systems to enhance net weight control measures. Oversaw integrated sanitation optimization projects to improve operational efficiency. Coordinated SMED events to streamline production processes.
- Led site initiatives as interim Continuous Improvement Manager, driving operational enhancements.
- Guided operations teams in establishing effective cadence performance tracking and reporting practices to improve operational efficiency.
- Delivered comprehensive training sessions and ongoing support to enhance process improvement efforts.
- Streamlined changeover workflows to minimize downtime and improve overall productivity.
- Achieved enhanced team performance through effective leadership coaching. Drove associate development initiatives that resulted in increased engagement and productivity. Cultivated a supportive environment that empowered team members to excel.
- Utilized lean tools to identify inefficiencies and reduce waste within production workflows.
Director, Production
Harry and David
Medford, OR
05.2021 - 11.2024
- Directed comprehensive production operations including bakery, candy kitchen, specialty foods, fruit processing and packaging, gift assembly, baskets, banquets, configurable gifts, gluten-free bakery, chocolate making and molding, and sanitation. Oversaw 14 profit and loss budgets to optimize financial performance and resource allocation. Led cross-functional teams to enhance productivity and maintain compliance with quality standards.
- Oversaw a team of 5 production managers, 1 sanitation manager, and 1 administrative senior supervisor. Led operations to effectively manage staffing levels of 500 core employees, scaling up to 1500 during peak periods.
- Coordinated with orchard team to efficiently receive and process seasonal pear harvest exceeding 10,000 tons to support production schedules.
- Formulated detailed budget plan for 475,000 direct labor hours, coordinating financial resources for 10 distinct production departments.
- Coordinated efforts with merchant and R&D teams to streamline new product introduction.
- Established gluten-free bakery to meet growing demand for health-conscious baked goods.
- Coordinated efforts to merge Sharffen Berger chocolate manufacturing facility with Harry and David production team, ensuring seamless workflow integration.
Consultant, Continuous Improvement & Operations
North Consulting LLC.
Medford, OR
08.2018 - 05.2021
- Led installation of MOS net weight controls to optimize production processes. Oversaw integrated sanitation optimization projects to elevate health and safety standards. Coordinated SMED events to drive efficiency improvements across teams.
- Oversaw implementation of process improvements, ensuring alignment with organizational goals during interim management.
- Guided operations teams in implementing effective cadence performance tracking and reporting strategies to improve operational efficiency.
- Developed and implemented support strategies to empower process improvement team members in achieving operational excellence.
- Streamlined changeover methodology to minimize downtime and improve overall productivity.
- Achieved enhanced team performance through effective leadership coaching. Drove associate development initiatives that resulted in increased engagement and productivity. Cultivated a supportive environment that empowered team members to excel.
- Implemented lean tools to enhance operational performance and minimize waste.
Business Unit Manager
Amy’s Kitchen
White City, OR
01.2015 - 01.2018
- Achieved operational excellence by managing 4 entrée supervisors, 2 kitchen supervisors, 1 kitchen process improvement manager, 2 continuous improvement coordinators, 1 kitchen planner, and 2 training coordinators. Enhanced productivity for 400 indirect employees through targeted training and process improvements. Drove initiatives that resulted in streamlined kitchen operations and improved team collaboration.
- Managed implementation of OGSM and MOS methodologies to synchronize business units with established quality standards and regulatory guidelines.
- Led team members in auditing processes to uphold standards in employee safety, product quality, food safety, cost efficiency, and employee satisfaction. Championed ongoing enhancements to existing operational standards. Empowered team members to develop standard work protocols in the absence of established guidelines.
- Fostered collaborative relationships with support departments to drive process improvements. Championed initiatives that enhanced operational conditions and equipment efficiency across business units.
- Led the development of controls and procedures to optimize information flow and communication. Facilitated cross-functional meetings to enhance collaboration between departments.
- Facilitated team member development, resulting in improved performance and engagement. Mentored supervisors and team leaders, leading to enhanced leadership effectiveness and team cohesion.
Process and Bottling Consultant
North Consulting LLC.
Medford, OR
01.2012 - 01.2015
- Engineered product formulations and designed processes for hypochlorous acid manufacturing.
- Designed and constructed automated systems for manufacturing and delivery, optimizing operational workflows.
- Assessed and specified packaging line equipment and layout for optimal efficiency.
- Collaborated with suppliers to identify packaging that enhances product shelf life and meets delivery requirements.
- Developed and optimized formulations to evaluate biocide effectiveness on various microbial agents, including bacteria, virus spores, fungi, and prions.
- Developed specifications and coordinated installation of processing equipment for HOCl to ensure optimal operational performance.
- Assisted in providing specifications for bottling line and layout. Supported team in organizing bottling line setup. Contributed to layout planning for efficient operations.
- Collaborated with scientists to develop batch processes for FDA 510(k) submissions of medical devices.
- Facilitated creation and maintenance of SOPs and document control to ensure operational consistency.
Maintenance Manager
Tree Top
Medford, OR
01.2013 - 01.2014
- Guided and empowered maintenance department personnel to enhance collaboration and streamline operations.
- Oversaw the strategic restructuring of storerooms, focusing on the removal of obsolete parts to maximize inventory efficiency and asset support.
- Ensured compliance with SQF standards to maintain product quality and safety in fruit puree production.
- Spearheaded enhancements to facility and process equipment to optimize sanitation utility usage.
Operations Manager
Ste. Michelle Wine Estates
Paterson, WA
01.2007 - 01.2012
- Oversaw maintenance of bottling equipment while coordinating warehouse operations. Led efforts to maintain building and grounds, fostering a productive work environment. Guided teams in addressing maintenance challenges to enhance operational efficiency.
- Directed financial oversight of cost of goods P&L to ensure effective management of major expenses and capital expenditures.
- Coordinated efforts for project execution at various sites, aimed at optimizing bottling line performance.
- Enhanced bottling efficiency to maximize output while minimizing labor and waste.
- Directed execution of significant repair and capital expenditure projects to optimize resource allocation and operational efficiency.
- Oversaw bottling maintenance and facility upkeep to ensure operational efficiency across Eastern Washington locations.
- Directed $1.7 million project to transition high-speed bottling line from re-shipper to bulk glass. Oversaw project completion with a return on asset in less than three years. Earned 'Packaging Line of the Year' award from PMT Magazine for excellence in packaging innovation.
- Selected and deployed a data collection system to monitor downtime, facilitating root cause and gap analysis processes.
- Directed bottling manager in managing three bottling lines and offsite mobile line to optimize production efficiency. Supervised maintenance manager responsible for bottling cellar, vineyard, and fleet vehicle maintenance to ensure operational reliability. Led project manager in overseeing more than 200 annual capital and major expense projects for Washington, Oregon, and California, managing a $40 million budget effectively.
Novartis
01.2006 - 01.2007
- Gerber Food Products Co., Maintenance/Engineering
J.M Smucker Co.
01.2003 - 01.2006
- Smucker’s, Maintenance/Engineering
- JIF, Production/Operations
Unilever
01.2002 - 01.2003
- SlimFast Foods Co., Maintenance/Engineering
Quaker Oats Co.
01.1995 - 01.2002
- Golden Grain Pasta, Maintenance/Engineering
- Gatorade, Maintenance/Engineering
Education
Certificate of Technical Studies - Industrial Maintenance
Lake Washington Tech
Kirkland, WABachelor of Science - Operations Management
University of Phoenix
Tempe, AZSkills
- Problem-solving
- Attention to detail
- Team leadership & development
- Client relationships
- Continuous Improvement
- Project management
- P&L
- Food Safety
Accomplishments
- Rolled out Management Operating Structure (MOS) with KPIs and Metrics to align the Objective, Goals, Strategies, Measures (OGSM).
- Develop Standard work matrix to ensure repeatable, right the first time process.
- Designed Process and packaging for a new product line to ensure product protection.
- Awarded PMT magazine 2008 “Packaging Line of the Year”.
- Reduced budgeted annual labor by $250,000 by reducing headcount and overtime while increasing throughput.
- Installed a data collection system to capture real time OEE to identify and resolve production losses.
- Managed Quality Control programs to reduce defects and consumer complaints.
- Increased line efficiency by modifying the automated packaging equipment.
- Increased line speed while reducing unscheduled downtime.
- Improved workforce knowledge using skill assessment and Individual Development Plans.
- Mission Critical team member for a new $100 million manufacturing facility.
- Developed systems to increase accountability of critical repair parts to a 98-percent rate of accuracy.
- Implemented and maintained Computerized Maintenance Management System.
- Performed Risk Analysis and counter measures for a large ammonia cooling system.
Certification
- Post Harvest Technology, UC Davis, CA - 2021
- Preventive Controls for Human Food, FSPCA - 2016
- HACCP for Food Processors, SAI Global - 2016
- SQF Systems, Silliker - 2015
- Six Sigma, Green Belt, Six Sigma Academy - 2008
- TPM Instructor, JIPM - 2003
- Better Processing, University of Arizona - 2002
- Thermal Processing, Perdue University - 2000
Timeline
Consultant, Continuous Improvement & Operations
North Consulting LLC.
11.2024 - Current
Director, Production
Harry and David
05.2021 - 11.2024
Consultant, Continuous Improvement & Operations
North Consulting LLC.
08.2018 - 05.2021
Business Unit Manager
Amy’s Kitchen
01.2015 - 01.2018
Maintenance Manager
Tree Top
01.2013 - 01.2014
Process and Bottling Consultant
North Consulting LLC.
01.2012 - 01.2015
Operations Manager
Ste. Michelle Wine Estates
01.2007 - 01.2012
Novartis
01.2006 - 01.2007
J.M Smucker Co.
01.2003 - 01.2006
Unilever
01.2002 - 01.2003
Quaker Oats Co.
01.1995 - 01.2002
US Army
Certificate of Technical Studies - Industrial Maintenance
Lake Washington Tech
Bachelor of Science - Operations Management
University of Phoenix