Brandi Crouse
Fort Wayne,Indiana
Summary
Manufacturing management professional offers 30 years of experience in demanding fast-paced environments. Proven ability to exceed productivity, quality, cost, and safety metrics while demonstrating effective leadership qualities. Vast knowledge of manufacturing processes ranging from vehicle assembly to food production, and most recently surgical instruments and implants. Emphasis on continuous improvement and team member development through coaching, correction, planning, and team building.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Packaging / Value Stream Manager
Zimmer Biomet - Medical Device Manufacturing Facility
01.2022 - 01.2024
- Managed five (5) shift department that ran critical equipment 24/7 for 18 months
- Managed team of 350 Team Members in this department at highest employment
- Team Member Engagement Committee driving overall plant scoring 17 points from prior year
- Morale initiatives I created and implemented in my facility - contributor to ZB being listed as Best Preferred Place to Work in 2023
- Employee development leading to promotional opportunities for those employees
- Increased department efficiency by 15% in 2023 with complex clean, assembly, packaging of products
- Scrap reduction procedure improvements (typical month of scrap $300K and down to under $190K in last 3 months respectively)
- Improved WIP flow and reduction of inventory DOH between my hire date and exit date (average at beginning was almost two weeks on hand; current state many work centers were under two days)
- Packaging department averaged over one third of the plant sales (average of $220,000 per day)
- Overtime Reduction glidepath (started at 45% mandated overtime; current state 6%)
- Cost of supplies reduced in department overall
- Followed clear SOP and Work Instruction guidelines in an FDA monitored facility / Standard Work implementation by me for my team members
- CAPA and IE process experience of root cause identification and correction to processes as needed
- Managed headcount as volumes increased in facility and I was able to reduce as I improved flow
- Cross functional collaboration with multiple groups (Engineering, Environmental, Quality)
- KPI / daily metric review of department throughput, quality, cost, delivery, and morale.
Production Business Manager / Materials Business Manager
General Motors
01.2015 - 01.2022
- Maintain performance rating of "Exceeds leadership behaviors"
- Support safe work environment through coaching and implementation of safety policies and procedures
- Communicate with Quality and Design engineers concerning product changes
- Facilitate and implement changes to K2XX product for 2017 / 2018 model years
- Evaluate product and process changes for continuous improvement opportunities
- Support production during pilot builds on all three shifts
- Coordinate daily manpower of multiple departments
- Effective management of cost budgets including scrap, overtime and glove allotments
- Assist with the development of new Group Leaders through mentoring and coaching
- Support equipment uptime, throughput enhancements, and quality assurance.
Production Business Manager - General Assembly / K2 Launch Coordinator
General Motors
01.2011 - 01.2015
- Acquired performance rating of "Exceeds leadership behaviors"
- Manage, train and coach K2XX Launch Team for all General Assembly in 2016-2017 model years
- Salary Safety and Quality Star Representative
- Managed all assembly lines throughout General Assembly area (Trim, Chassis and Final)
- Coordinated daily operations required to achieve SPQRCE results
- Proficient in GMS requirements, implementation
- Supported equipment uptime, throughput enhancements, and quality assurance
- Performed waste elimination activities to achieve plant productivity objectives
- Subject matter expert for Scalable Error Proofing applications
- Negotiated and administrated local and national agreement; and process grievances
- Proficient in GM internal systems (Andon, Global System Inspection Process, Cimplicity, GEPICs, SAP)
- Promoted Standardized Work through application of Global Manufacturing System (Business Plan Deployment, Problem Solving).
Production/Packaging Supervisor
Red Gold - Food Manufacturing Facility
01.2008 - 01.2010
- Manage OEE on all production lines
- Support safe work environment through employee training on safety policies and procedures
- Conduct daily team meetings with shift employees
- Perform annual evaluations on employees and provided feedback for continued improvement
- Exceed production requirements and met internal and external customer needs
- Implement labor reduction resulting in $20,000 in yearly labor costs
- Utilize Lean Manufacturing strategies to reduce downtime on can labeler machine by 75% in 6 months.
Plant Team Manager /Superintendent
NYX Fort Wayne, LLC
01.2005 - 01.2008
- Manage all operational functions as shift lead on 2nd shift
- Schedule 22 presses while coordinating material and mold changes
- Assist management in meeting daily and monthly goals
- Perform scrap rate reviews and cell audits
- Review employee performance yearly and resolve employee issues
- Achieve metrics in plant standard rates and cycle times.
Team Leader and Process Technician
Buckhorn
01.1999 - 01.2004
- Promoted to team leader within 8 months
- Met production requirements daily
- Cross-trained with other areas for multi-functionality.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership -
Northeastern University
Boston, MassachusettsAssociate of Science in Business -
Indiana Wesleyan University
Fort Wayne, IndianaSkills
- Building Effective Teams
- Develop Direct Reports
- Managerial Courage
- Cost Control
- Drive for Results
- Integrity and Trust
- Problem Solving
- UAW Negotiations
- Operations Management
- Decision-Making Capabilities
- Performance Metrics Analysis
- Adaptability and Flexibility
- Cost Reduction Strategies
- Process Optimization Techniques
- Change Management Proficiency
- Root Cause Analysis
- Conflict Resolution Competencies
- Lean Manufacturing Expertise
- Decision Making Capabilities
- Problem Solving Aptitude
- Workflow Standardization Techniques
- Continuous Improvement Implementation
- Strategic Planning Abilities
- Training and Development Experience
- Cross-functional Team Leadership
- Organizational Skills
- Effective Communication Abilities
- Performance Tracking
- Relationship Building
- Negotiating
- Multi-Plant Experience
- Staff Management
Affiliations
- Professional Managers Network
- Women in Manufacturing
Professional Development
- Green Belt - Purdue University
- Lean Manufacturing
- Global Manufacturing Systems
- Conflict Resolution
- Leadership training / Yeager Training
Timeline
Packaging / Value Stream Manager
Zimmer Biomet - Medical Device Manufacturing Facility
01.2022 - 01.2024
Production Business Manager / Materials Business Manager
General Motors
01.2015 - 01.2022
Production Business Manager - General Assembly / K2 Launch Coordinator
General Motors
01.2011 - 01.2015
Production/Packaging Supervisor
Red Gold - Food Manufacturing Facility
01.2008 - 01.2010
Plant Team Manager /Superintendent
NYX Fort Wayne, LLC
01.2005 - 01.2008
Team Leader and Process Technician
Buckhorn
01.1999 - 01.2004
Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership -
Northeastern University
Associate of Science in Business -
Indiana Wesleyan University