Christopher T. Cerchiaro
Turnersville,NJ
Summary
Highly driven manager who excels in turning around operations that increased production, quality, safety, and
efficiency. Broad, hands-on experience in front line management with union and nonunion work environments.
Experienced in managing a multicultural workforce. Directed large, complex operations for domestic and global
companies, and consistently impacted the bottom line. Recognized for ability to build highly engaged teams and
create positive cultures that reward ideas and performance.
“I can quickly streamline your operation, with a safer, happier, and more productive staff.”
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Plant Manager
Home Rubber
Trenton, NJ
12.2021 - 01.2025
- Reduced process lags by managing employees and training on best practices to ensure optimal productivity.
- Assessed production schedules and orders to plan material requirements and worker activities.
- Increased plant safety by implementing proactive strategies and well-structured training.
- Maintained accurate records of employee attendance, overtime hours worked, inventory levels.
- Planned, directed and coordinated operations for production, machinery and processing within company policies and procedures.
- Assigned tasks to employees based on their skillset and experience level.
- Reviewed financial statements regularly to ensure budget targets were met.
- Produced daily operations report forecasting staffing needs and production volume to support cost-reduction and service improvement initiatives.
- Ensured compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
- Adjusted and improved processes to maximize efficiency.
- Provided guidance and mentorship to team members on career development paths.
- Eliminated materials waste and unnecessary labor hours to reduce costs.
- Reviewed quality control reports monitoring various aspects.
- Oversaw employees and related programs to maximize team productivity and facility output.
- Met or exceeded target for on-time customer shipments.
- Improved workflow processes to maximize efficiency and enhance operations.
- Improved efficiency by minimizing downtime.
- Managed the daily operations of the plant, including scheduling personnel and equipment.
- Supervised production schedules, production quality and on-time delivery.
- Gave direction and leadership to all levels of employees and managers.
- Planned and coordinated maintenance activities for the facility.
- Coordinated maintenance strategy for equipment, including predictive and preventive measures.
- Applied lean strategies to implement operational enhancements, promote efficiency and cut costs.
- Kept permits current and accurate for legally-sound operations.
Plant Manager
Harry Miller
Philadelphia, PA
01.2017 - 12.2021
- Revitalized a low-performing company suffering from issues in productivity, delivery, morale, and safety
- Led daily operations, shipping, HR, quality, purchasing, safety, budget, compliance, and continuous improvement
- Liaison with FBI, EPA, and Homeland Security on compliance
- Oversaw and managed a team of 5 staff
- Initiated a major turnaround with an evaluation and overhaul of inventory management, processes, and operations
- In only 4 months, production improved by 30% and error rate decreased to a record low of < 2% (previously 11%)
- Reduced lead time from 8 days to 5 with less labor
- Built a strong team and changed a culture of indifference with engagement initiatives that earned buy-in and trust through side by side collaboration
- Established performance standards and high expectations
- Accelerated efforts to ensure safety and compliance
- Encouraged staff to identify any safety or health issues
- Overall, improved quality, on-time delivery, and customer satisfaction
Plant Superintendent
Thermoseal
Gloucester City, NJ
01.2014 - 01.2017
- Held a pivotal role in transforming a flat lining company into a profitable, high growth organization
- Oversaw a 3-shift operation with a staff of 160
- Directed all aspects of operations, human resources, quality control, budget, and safety
- Initiated metrics and reporting, analyzing results and directing improvements in production
- Drove record-breaking growth of 23% in the first year to 48% in 2017 in a previously stagnant performance pattern
- Grew from a $10M company to a $40M in only 3 years
- Reorganized plant lay out using lean techniques and launched 2 new products
- Resulted in operational expansion to a 24-hours with 3 shifts
- Increased staff from 37 to 160 and production from 40 to 150 a day
- Promoted and coached 5 Team Leaders
- Instituted metrics to measure and plan for future improvements
- Developed a community responsibility initiative through a state-run 'second chance' program
- Personally mentor and provide job opportunity to participants while earning company tax break at $5000 per employee
Production Manager | Superintendent
Baltimore Aircoil Company
Milford, DE
01.2011 - 01.2014
- Day Shift Manager for 175+ staff including 5 Supervisors who lead different production lines
- Built a third shift for the growing, high volume needs of a global company
- Managed workflow, scheduling, employee matters (hiring, discipline), quality control, budget, and safety
- Collaborated with managers and engineers in the US and globally on operational improvements
- Introduced metrics and reporting resulting in efficiency and cost savings
- Transformed a skeletal night crew of about 35 staff to a high performing team of 175 with 5 Team Leads in only 8 months
- Elevated production to top levels, equal to the 1st shift, in quality, efficiency, and volume
- Professionalized the culture by hiring a more experienced workforce (internal promotion and external recruitment) and by initiating and conducting quality management training for leadership staff
Division Production Manager
Active Heavy Duty Cooling Products
Philadelphia, PA
08.2009 - 12.2010
- Directed production operations for the Aluminum Division of a nationwide, leading manufacturer of specialized cooling products
- Managed 35 production staff with indirect management responsibility for up to 100
- Handled workflow, scheduling, purchasing raw materials, inventory, shipping, quality control, budget, and safety
- Served as driving force in complete overhaul of production operations creating high efficiency culture
- Significantly improved production operations by instituting scheduling policies and systems
- Launched a brand new production product, which became the highest selling in the company in 1 year
- Conducted time study leading to process improvements enabling volume to increase from 6 to 20 per day
- Streamlined inventory that resulted in significant annual cost savings
- Introduced a min/max system and better forecasting that reduced supply levels from 8 months of product to a 2-week supply
Senior Production Manager
Delaware Valley Wholesale Floral Group
Sewell, NJ
01.2007 - 01.2009
- Managed all business operations for the largest wholesale floral distributor on the East Coast
- Recruited to turn around inefficiencies
- Oversaw 50 production staff and an annual budget over one half million dollars
- Managed receiving, segregation, packaging, quality control, shipping, budget and safety
- Handled personnel performance
- Redesigned the work area to streamline disorganized operations that saved significant time and money
- Turned around a low performing workforce in < 6 months
- Reduced workforce by half while increasing quality and production
- Established performance standards and a discipline program for poor performers
- Grew a strong team through motivation and rewards
- Created open door policy and a positive atmosphere
Senior Production Supervisor
MW Patriot Group
Hammonton, NJ
01.2006 - 01.2007
- Led all night shift operations, overseeing 3 production lines with + 70 employees in a multicultural workforce
- Restructured a complex workflow that supplied other production lines and raised output by 25% in < 2 months
Production Manager
Reliable Corp.
Philadelphia, PA
01.2000 - 01.2006
- Managed operations and production on the off shifts for a printing, reproduction, and binding operation serving the legal community
- Supervised a diverse workforce of 25
- Acquired basic knowledge of legal procedures for coding court documents
Production Supervisor
Congoleum Corp.
Trenton, NJ
01.1995 - 01.2000
- Supervised one shift of a 24-hour operation for the 2nd largest manufacturer of resilient flooring in the world
- Trained and managed 15 union employees
- Helped design a production line for a new product, collaborating with engineers and maintenance
Education
Some College (No Degree) - Software Systems
Cittone Institute
Mt. Laurel, NJMiddlesex Community College
NJSkills
- Incremental Improvement Strategy
- Lean Methodologies
- OSHA & ISO Compliance
- Budget Management
- Performance Standards
- Flowvision Software Proficiency
- Kaizen
- Six Sigma Project Management
- Goal Development & Measurement
- Instructional Training
- Inventory Oversight
- Safety & Quality Control
- Community Responsibility
- Staff Engagement
Timeline
Plant Manager
Home Rubber
12.2021 - 01.2025
Plant Manager
Harry Miller
01.2017 - 12.2021
Plant Superintendent
Thermoseal
01.2014 - 01.2017
Production Manager | Superintendent
Baltimore Aircoil Company
01.2011 - 01.2014
Division Production Manager
Active Heavy Duty Cooling Products
08.2009 - 12.2010
Senior Production Manager
Delaware Valley Wholesale Floral Group
01.2007 - 01.2009
Senior Production Supervisor
MW Patriot Group
01.2006 - 01.2007
Production Manager
Reliable Corp.
01.2000 - 01.2006
Production Supervisor
Congoleum Corp.
01.1995 - 01.2000
Some College (No Degree) - Software Systems
Cittone Institute
Middlesex Community College
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