Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
LANGUAGES
OTHER ROLES NOT LISTED ABOVE
Six Sigma Manager of the Year 2003
Timeline
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Chris Thackwray

Chris Thackwray

Claremore,Oklahoma

Summary

Global Operations Management Procurement Worldwide Manufacturing & Distribution Brand Development Business Development Worldwide Sourcing P&L Responsibility. Domestic and International Business leader with more than thirty years of success in global manufacturing, supply chain management and business development. Communicates effectively in several languages. Institutes initiatives that create positive change, efficiencies and increased profitability. An expert in the implementation of Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing and World Class Manufacturing methodologies in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the U.S. Transforms organizations by developing and leading aggressive expansion into new markets, products and services. With a solid technical background and advanced training in business management strategies, leads initiatives ensuring quality, timeliness and functionality. Builds upon inputs of sales, marketing, operations and finance teams to create powerful solutions that drive growth. Extensive qualifications in the following competencies: Global Procurement, Continuous Improvement, Cross-Cultural Management, Vendor & Supplier Management, Greenfield & Brownfield Projects, Project Management & Implementation, Market Penetration Tactics & Strategies, Direction, Re-engineering & Mission Focus.

Overview

31
31
years of professional experience

Work History

Consultant/Contract Owner

FedEx Contract and Consultant
02.2023 - Current
  • Initially helping my son and daughter with their FedEx contracts, I was approached by FedEx to help a failing contractor in Tulsa get their contract back on track and meet the required service levels. As a result, I was given a FedEx contract for free in Rolla MO. Having invested $70k of my own money in the startup, my wife and I ran the contract from 04/01/2023 till 10/26/2024, we hired and trained drivers, leased a fleet of vehicles, and were able to successfully run the contract exceeding FedEx's required service levels, running often at 100% service. On October 26th 2024 the contract's value was $2.25M and we sold the contract to another FedEx contractor for full market value.
  • Collaborated with stakeholders to identify opportunities for improvement and to enhance operational efficiency.
  • Implemented training plans for all drivers to improve safety and delivery performance.

Chief Operations Officer

Dynamic Extrusion LLC
01.2019 - 02.2023
  • Approached by the owner of a new startup to be Plant Manager and COO of the company's main manufacturing plant in Tulsa. The company had taken over a plant designed to extrude waste material from the ethanol industry into high energy animal feed using proprietary technology that they could not make work. We took over the plant and after a month of cleanup and equipment repair and reprogramming we began production and were quickly able to make a good and competitive product. We created additional Pn tool designs and processes and became one of the main manufacturers with this technology. Responsibilities include managing the plant, recruitment, training, developing processes, creating standard operating procedures, tool designs, sourcing and purchasing, sales and business development. We got off to a promising start and were initially well funded but when Covid hit a lot of the investment money was withdrawn, despite that we continued to run and develop the products with minimal funding but as high costs to keep going were about, it's increasingly difficult to keep the plant running efficiently as downtime is increasing but we continue to run and have developed a couple of unique waste biomass feed product for the deer and equine industries as well as the usual cattle feeds.
  • Developed cross-functional teams to develop unique processes and enhance operational efficiency.
  • Collaborated with the owners and investors to identify business needs and drive strategic direction and tactical solutions.

Tool Rental Technician

Home Depot
02.2018 - 12.2019
  • Bored of retirement, I joined Home Depot as an associate and initially worked part-time in the paint department before moving to Tool Rental and becoming the store's full-time Tool Technician. Responsible for supervising a small group of associates who worked in tool rental and also helped repair customer tools and equipment. I enjoyed the job and people but not the lack of a fixed work schedule. I was approached in 2019 to become involved in a new startup company and that is why I moved on.

Chief Executive Officer

Eutex International and ATEC Global
08.2017 - 10.2018
  • President of two business units, Eutex is a bulk electrical product distributor, and ATEC specialize in Explosive Hazardous Area training and inspections. The company is struggling as business in the oil and gas industry is still way below expectations, I was brought in to develop strategies for the business units and prepare them for sale. With the business team we developed strategies to develop sales and expand into several markets, using minimal investment and resources that and were very successful growing into several international markets on a small scale, and consolidating US customers to ensure retention at a time of immense competition from competitors. Business sold to a group who planned to run it with other assets they had, I chose to move on and relocate to Oklahoma to be close to family.

President and CEO

Va-an International Industrial Procurement Consultants LLC
01.2007 - 12.2017
  • A partnership started in 2007 and now run full time.
  • President and CEO of a partnership set out to 'commercialize' our contact base and use our network to buy and sell products, materials and services, there are three partners, and 3 additional employees are personally responsible for our consultation services and have worked closely with three Houston based companies and helped them develop business strategies, covering sales strategies and sales training, purchasing training, and we have set up a JV in Korea between a manufacturing company in Houston and our business partners in Seoul, Korea, to supply equipment to the Korea shipyards for offshore construction projects. We are also assisting a client in developing supply base and workshop/service facility in Port Harcourt Nigeria. We represent several businesses developing in multiple areas, including growing consulting business, and looking for prospective business partners in the Americas.
  • Fostered partnerships with key stakeholders to drive collaborative business growth and innovation.
  • Developed and implemented strategic initiatives to enhance organizational efficiency and market positioning.
  • Established performance metrics to evaluate operational effectiveness and promote continuous improvement initiatives.

General Manager of Operations

AmerCable Inc.
08.2004 - 09.2013
  • Company Overview: A division of AmerCable Holdings, recently acquired by Nexans S.A. (NEX: EN Paris) for $275 million.
  • GENERAL MANAGER TOTAL SOLUTIONS DIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, OIL AND GAS BUSINESS UNIT
  • Managed a team of 72 personnel in 12 domestic and international locations. Established, led, and directed international operations in China, Singapore and Korea to support major oil and gas contracts and Middle East distribution operations in Dubai and Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
  • In 2011, promoted to set up new Total Solutions Business Unit to lead the effort to expand global and offshore drilling business.
  • Grew sales from $35 million ($3 million international) in 2004 to $110 million ($66 million international) in 2011 with EBITDA of 14% and a backlog of $80 million against projected 2012 sales of $240 million.
  • Drove sales of $80 million with EBITDA of 18% by developing a new total solutions business unit, including a repair and recertification facility in Houston.
  • Developed and initiated drilling strategies, selling products and services to US, Canada, Middle East and South America drilling contractors, that produced $12 million in additional sales in 2011 and projected to $34.75 million with 52% operating margin in 2012.
  • Developed an OEM strategy, helping drive service loops to leading global customers including NOV Norway $15 million in 2012, Aker Solutions $10 million in 2011 and BPM in China $35 million since 2005.
  • Developed the AmerCable Brand for international markets, developed brand based sales strategies for specific geographical industry requirements and markets.
  • Cultivated international sources for compounds and cable production to save $2.4 million in 2012 while, more importantly, breaking supplier monopoly.

Director of Procurement

Cameron International Corporation
07.2001 - 08.2004
  • Company Overview: Publicly traded (NYSE: CAM) pipeline equipment manufacturer.
  • DIRECTOR OF PROCUREMENT, COMPRESSOR DIVISION
  • Led and directed 4 sourcing specialists and 23 buyers in 15 domestic locations and five international locations. Managed a $300 million annual budget. Developed and maintained productive relationships with top suppliers in terms of price and quality.
  • Rationalized suppliers base from 3,500 to less than 350 strategic vendors to increase buying power and drive savings of $12 million in the first 12 months. Fewer quotes related to quotes, quotes purchasers orders and account payable reducing staff by six.
  • Reduced typical supplier lead times by an average of one week while also improving delivery time by setting up a vendor qualification process and performance monitoring.
  • Set up consignment vendor programs servicing locations worldwide that allowed the company to keep supplies supplied inventory on our shelves, but pay for it as it was used, reducing the capital tied up in stock.
  • Saved an average of 40% in material costs by developing suppliers for highly engineered and forged components in China, India, and Europe.
  • Developed relationships with two specialized suppliers in Russia to cost effectively produce large crankshafts used in gas compression engines.
  • Reorganized supply chain, setup strategic supply raw materials from suppliers in China, India, FSU, and Europe, capturing near one year supply chain cost reductions of $25 million while improving quality, lead times and on time supplier performance.
  • Implemented process improvements, leading to increased efficiency in daily operations.
  • Oversaw inventory management systems to optimize supply chain performance.
  • Directed operational strategies to enhance productivity across multiple departments.

OPERATIONS MANAGER EASTERN HEMISPHERE

Baker Hughes Centrilift
06.1997 - 07.2001
  • Handled sales, manufacturing, and field service in Scotland, Netherlands, Germany, Africa, and Dubai for electric submersible pumps for the oil and gas industry. Led and directed a multi-national team in the assembly and servicing of ESP's for the pumping of oil and production fluids from oil wells.
  • Established 6 World Class servicing facilities in Aberdeen and Dubai to improve responsiveness to the customer based at each location and support operations in Europe and Africa while reducing the need to ship fully assembled stock from the US.
  • Developed risk management for contracts for ESP installations, increasing EBITDA by 20% on newly written contracts, developing a leasing program to compensate for customers' restrictions on capital spend and guided Centrilift to become the leading ESP supplier in the world.
  • Developed pumping products for new non-traditional markets including mine dewatering, geothermal wells, horizontal geothermal pumps for building climate control, and reservoir transfer pumps.
  • Streamlined operational workflows to enhance efficiency and reduce downtime.
  • Mentored team members in best practices for equipment maintenance and safety protocols.
  • Implemented process improvements that increased production reliability and quality standards.

MANAGING DIRECTOR COMPOSITES DIVISION

Balmoral Group
06.1996 - 06.1997
  • Led and directed 75 personnel in the manufacture of buoyancy systems for offshore drilling and oil production projects. Introduced Lean Manufacturing to accelerate performance and improvement.
  • Positioned the division for sell off to the main competitor.
  • Successfully completed the buoyancy project for the Asgard B project offshore Norway. The project was delivered on time and under budget.
  • Set up satellite manufacturing plant in Houston, Texas prior to sell off of division.
  • Led strategic planning initiatives to drive organizational growth and enhance operational efficiency.
  • Developed and implemented financial strategies to optimize resource allocation and maximize profitability.

SITE DIRECTOR, PLASTICS DIVISION

Hepworth Building Products
06.1994 - 08.1996
  • Managed 75 acre, 3 factory manufacturing site making extruded plastic pipe, roofing sheet, and composite moldings. Site employed over 300.
  • Oversaw daily operations in a unionized workforce, ensured compliance will all safety and environmental requirements.
  • Setup World-Class manufacturing initiatives, setting 5 key performance measures for each business unit to force manufacturing improvements and change.
  • Developed and implemented strategic plans to enhance site efficiency.
  • Took the site from a $3 million loss to a $7 million profit in two years, became the first facility of its size in Europe to be recognized as a World Class Manufacturer.
  • Improved on time delivery from 40% to 98%, increased first pass yield to 98.5%, reduced lead times by more than 50%.
  • Successfully overcame resistance from labor unions to reverse a negative growth trend.
  • Established two JV manufacturing units in China and one in Dubai personally led Dubai team and oversaw one China facility.

Education

Bachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering

Royal Military College of Science
Shrivenham, ENG
05-1982

Associate of Science - Naval Architecture

Medway College of Technology
Chatham, ENG
05-1978

Six Sigma Green Belt Certified - undefined

Cameron Corporation
Houston, TX

Skills

  • Operational leadership
  • Operational planning
  • Operations management
  • Facility management
  • International Operations management
  • Strategic Planning
  • Performance improvements
  • Staff development
  • Policy development
  • Safety management
  • Staff management
  • Team supervision
  • Environmental awareness
  • Quality assurance
  • Project management
  • Project coordination
  • Negotiation
  • Financial management
  • Business development
  • Inventory procurement
  • Business administration
  • Contract management

LANGUAGES

Fluent in English and Danish.

OTHER ROLES NOT LISTED ABOVE

  • Qualified FedEx Ground driver, I drive as a substitute driver for friends who are FedEx Contractors.
  • Qualified instructor for ATEX Explosive Hazardous Areas.
  • RV Camp Host at the weekend, assisted my wife with hosting duties and do minor repairs and work around the park.
  • Qualified Rugby Coach, Head Coach for Tarleton State Rugby Club.

Six Sigma Manager of the Year 2003

Cameron Corporation award for leading the largest number of completed, successful projects in Six Sigma.

Timeline

Consultant/Contract Owner

FedEx Contract and Consultant
02.2023 - Current

Chief Operations Officer

Dynamic Extrusion LLC
01.2019 - 02.2023

Tool Rental Technician

Home Depot
02.2018 - 12.2019

Chief Executive Officer

Eutex International and ATEC Global
08.2017 - 10.2018

President and CEO

Va-an International Industrial Procurement Consultants LLC
01.2007 - 12.2017

General Manager of Operations

AmerCable Inc.
08.2004 - 09.2013

Director of Procurement

Cameron International Corporation
07.2001 - 08.2004

OPERATIONS MANAGER EASTERN HEMISPHERE

Baker Hughes Centrilift
06.1997 - 07.2001

MANAGING DIRECTOR COMPOSITES DIVISION

Balmoral Group
06.1996 - 06.1997

SITE DIRECTOR, PLASTICS DIVISION

Hepworth Building Products
06.1994 - 08.1996

Six Sigma Green Belt Certified - undefined

Cameron Corporation

Bachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering

Royal Military College of Science

Associate of Science - Naval Architecture

Medway College of Technology

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