Brad Brech
Fresno,CA
Summary
Experienced operations leader with a robust background in multi-site management, supply chain optimization, and strategic planning. Proven track record of driving efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing safety across diverse manufacturing environments. Adept at leading cross-functional teams, launching new facilities, and fostering innovation through collaboration with R&D. Strong financial acumen with expertise in managing P&L, capital budgets, and continuous improvement initiatives, resulting in significant cost savings and operational excellence.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
VP of Operations
Specialty Sales LLC
Fresno, CA
09.2021 - Current
- Directed a diverse, multi-site team encompassing planning, procurement, manufacturing, engineering, fabrication, logistics, and field technician operations
- Implemented strategies to enhance supply chain and inventory management efficiency, resulting in an organization-wide reduction of 7% in COGS over the course of one year
- Built out and fostered relationships with new supplies, tripling interest in demand, resulting in diversification and over $2M in annual savings
- Directed the oversight of five plant/facility locations, property, and equipment to meet operational demands and achieve strategic objectives
- Proficiently facilitated the launch of two new facilities in vital geographic areas while concurrently strategizing for a third
- Coordinated the activities of seven direct and 50 indirect employees across multiple sites in various states, managing a P&L exceeding $18M
- Mitigated risks by proactively seeking out support to ensure adhesion to governmental requirements for regulatory and safety compliance
- Launched over hall of RMP / PSM across multiple facilities
- Actively participated on a R&D cross-functional team, contributing to product development and innovation
- Implemented EPA Pesticide product registration
- Established, implemented, and communicated strategic direction to align departmental goals and KPIs with overall business objectives
- Developed and met company goals while collaborating with executive leadership, offering expert guidance on operations projects and systems.
Director of Operations
Actagro/Nutrien
Fresno, CA
11.2012 - 09.2021
- Managed a diverse multiple-site group encompassing planning, procurement, manufacturing, engineering, logistics, customer service and quality management
- Drove a safety-first culture that led to the implementation of a Management of Change, Hot Work and Permit to Work processes that drove down incident rates
- Led dramatic growth through new product launches, targeted capital investments while instituting a strong continuous improvement mindset
- Developed the long-term vision for the departments and implemented key initiatives that aligned with the customers, sales and R&D’s priorities
- Improved product quality and customer experience by developing product best management practices and shelf-life expectations
- Coordinated the activities of six direct and 48 indirect employees across multiple sites in various states, managing a P&L exceeding $18M
- Implemented a corporate Sales and Operations Planning group that coordinated sales and operations planning across the manufacturing sites implementing a one company mentality
- Established and led a corporate procurement team that centralized and implemented a raw material bidding process, leveraging the company's buying power to reduce COGS by 5% annually
- Partnered with the R&D department to facilitate product development, address new chemistry requirements, and oversee the implementation and scaling up of both new products and modifications to existing ones
- Worked closely with sales, marketing, and R&D teams to devise a multi-year capital plan of $8M annually, strategically expanding and optimizing manufacturing facilities to accommodate the growth of existing portfolios and facilitate the launch of new products
- Developed and implemented systems that track and optimize productivity, standards, metrics and performance targets in all areas.
Plant Manager
Actagro/Nutrien
Fresno, CA
- Responsible for safety, production, quality, warehousing, and financial performance by overseeing Production, Warehouse, Quality, Safety, Scheduling, Maintenance, Packaging and Procurement functions that supported 20%+ annually compounding growth
- Established safety best practices at all levels by Researching and Developing EHS regulations while remaining in compliance with all standards and guidelines
- Lead the creation, execution and maintenance of the site's Process Safety Program
- Set the daily, weekly, and monthly plan that organized, directed and optimized the operating outputs, quality services and shipments that exceeded the customers expectations in a timely and cost-effective manner
- Developed and controlled financial targets and budgets, oversaw capital asset maintenance, implemented effective systems to control capital, operating expenditures and labor costs
- Instrumental in creating process and operating procedures
- Identified deficiencies in environmental reporting and made corrections
- Developed and managed a capital budget of over $1.5M annually that expanded the plant to support focus brands and newly created products
- Identified deficiencies in manufacturing processes and put in place a plan to overcome through capital expenditure, process changes and training.
Project Engineer
Evonik Cyro
Osceola, AR
04.2010 - 11.2012
- Temporarily relocated to another facility for 4 months to become a liaison between R&D and manufacturing during the startup of a new acrylic lamination process
- Provided process documentation, procedures and employee training during the system startup
- Identified problem areas and equipment improvements, worked with contractor and maintenance to make the equipment easier and more efficiently to operate
- Designed, Initiated and Ordered a critical pump replacement for a $400K
- Designed and Initiated a phase I of III cooling tower replacement for $120K
- Installed a $95K nitrogen generation and delivery system that would improve the optical quality of the product
- Plant became the preferred vendor supplier due to the product's optical quality
- Contractor, project management, and plant engineering support during process turnaround
- Day to Day process support for a continuous Acrylic Polymerization and Acrylic Extrusion Processes.
Process Engineering Manager
Nufarm America
Chicago Heights, IL
11.2004 - 04.2010
- Targeted, analyzed, and recommended process improvements for batch processing and packaging operations
- Managed a staff of two salary personnel
- Intimately involved with the PLC design and operation within the facility
- Project Management of up to 3.9 M dollars in capital projects annually that support the growth of the facility from $60M annual sales to $600M annual sales
- Initiate, Design, Bid, and Managed up to 1.5 MM dollars for a single project
- Designed, Purchased and installed an entirely new packaging line that enhanced efficiencies, reduced waste all with a greater throughput.
Project / Maintenance Engineer
Nufarm America
Chicago Heights, IL
- Project Manager for 1.6 M dollars of Capital Expenditure annually
- Led the initiation, design, bidding, and management of various projects, including an $850K railroad expansion, a $500K production unit and storage tank building, $160K upgrades to the building’s infrastructure, a $240K upgrade and expansion of locker rooms, and a $220K addition to an amine storage facility
- All projects were completed on time and within the budget of the scope
- Administrator of a Management of Change Database and Computerized Maintenance Management System (Web Works).
Education
Chemical Engineering -
Purdue University
W. Lafayette, IN12.2002
Skills
- Plant and warehouse operations
- Operations Management
- Operating Budgets
- OSHA Regulations
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Engineering/project management experience
- KPI Tracking
- Capacity Planning
- Continuous Improvement Initiatives
- Supplier Relationship Management
- Logistics Management
Timeline
VP of Operations
Specialty Sales LLC
09.2021 - Current
Director of Operations
Actagro/Nutrien
11.2012 - 09.2021
Project Engineer
Evonik Cyro
04.2010 - 11.2012
Process Engineering Manager
Nufarm America
11.2004 - 04.2010
Plant Manager
Actagro/Nutrien
Project / Maintenance Engineer
Nufarm America
Chemical Engineering -
Purdue University