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
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
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
- 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
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
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
- 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
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