Dale Ward
Louisville,KY
Summary
Dynamic Production Manager with a proven track record at Teasdale Latin Foods, and skilled in Lean Manufacturing and effective communication. Championed process improvements that enhanced productivity and reduced costs, while fostering a culture of accountability and safety. Committed to driving continuous improvement initiatives and achieving operational excellence.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Operations Manager
Teasdale Latin Foods
Louisville, KY
08.2024 - Current
- Supervised operations staff and kept employees compliant with company policies and procedures.
- Empowered employees to take ownership of their responsibilities, leading to increased accountability and improved performance outcomes.
- Conducted regular performance reviews, identifying areas for improvement and developing action plans to address them.
- Managed inventory and supply chain operations to achieve timely and accurate delivery of goods and services.
- Led hiring, onboarding and training of new hires to fulfill business requirements.
- Developed and maintained relationships with external vendors and suppliers.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by establishing clear communication channels and addressing concerns promptly.
- Established positive and effective communication among unit staff and organization leadership, reducing miscommunications, and missed deadlines.
- Analyzed and reported on key performance metrics to senior management.
- Facilitated smooth collaboration between departments through clear communication channels.
- Managed budgets effectively, consistently delivering projects on-time and within financial constraints.
- Achieved higher employee retention rates by fostering a positive work environment and providing opportunities for professional growth.
- Identified and resolved unauthorized, unsafe, or ineffective practices.
- Handled staff training initiatives aimed at upskilling the workforce to meet dynamic industry demands.
- Spearheaded process improvements, resulting in increased productivity and reduced operational costs.
- Championed safety protocols to maintain a secure working environment, reducing workplace accidents significantly.
- Trained and guided team members to maintain high productivity and performance metrics.
RTH Cell Leader
Conagra Brands Inc.
08.2019 - 08.2024
- Facilitated training for associates through daily coaching and regular performance appraisals.
- Worked with R&D to create prototypes of new designs and training materials.
- Molded team and embraced change to adapt within dynamic market.
- Assisted Human Resources with new hire processing and existing training programs.
- Initiated timely response to emails, voicemails and written correspondence.
- Positioned as go-to person for up to 40 staff members, troubleshooting complex administrative and training issues promptly.
- Planned, managed and directed daily board operations to increase revenue and reduce costs through P&L analysis.
- Coordinated weekly meetings for internal and external groups, including teleconferences and videoconferences, interacting with all levels of management.
- Demonstrated knowledge of company mission and goals and mentored employees in reaching objectives aligned with company core values.
- Mentored and guided employees to foster proper completion of assigned duties.
- Developed and updated tracking spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel.
- Read and interpreted schematics, technical documentation and production orders.
- Led safety meetings and monitored compliance with gear requirements and best practices.
- Communicated job expectations and monitored employees.
- Completed production plans by scheduling and assigning personnel to daily tasks.
- Identified problems and implemented effective solutions.
- Performed accident investigations.
- Recorded and reported attendance and hours worked for all area employees.
- Maintained proper inventory levels.
- Oversaw, coached and evaluated 40 employees.
- Directed day-to-day operations focused on attainment of key business metrics, continuous improvement initiatives and 6-member management team with related direct reports.
- Established operational objectives and work plans and delegated assignments to subordinate managers.
- Established and administered annual budget with effective controls to prevent overages, minimize burn rate and support sustainability objectives.
- Oversaw inventory and product stock to develop and maintain inventory controls resulting in cost savings and reduced overages.
- Managed company operations, including staff hiring, training, development, scheduling and supervision.
- Analyzed equipment breakdowns using various troubleshooting methods.
- Developed and submitted strategy and initiative reports to highlight current actions and proposed changes to corporate committee.
- Collaborated with other leaders and executives to direct workflow and support operations.
- Conducted routine inspections of incoming materials to check quality and compliance with established product specifications.
- Monitored daily and weekly key performance indicators to maintain on-track status.
- Set, enforced and optimized internal policies to maintain efficiency and responsiveness to demands.
- Applied performance data to evaluate and improve operations, target current business conditions and forecast needs.
- Coordinated merchandising, promoted new products and increased brand awareness.
- Located and resolved problems with team production and performance to maintain consistent quality levels.
- Conducted performance reviews each quarter, offering praise and recommendations for improvement.
- Maximized productivity by keeping detailed records of daily progress and identifying and rectifying areas for improvement.
Operations Supervisor
Kellogg's
07.2018 - 08.2019
- Evaluated incoming materials for quality and amounts ordered.
- Established clear priorities and production quality standards.
- Kept work environments safe and efficient at all times.
- Reworked positions and workflow based on individual abilities and production targets.
- Oversaw production process and managed production schedule.
- Made sure that products were produced on time and are of good quality.
- Set and monitored product standards, examining samples of raw products and processing tests, to ensure quality of all finished products.
- Maintained necessary level of communications between shifts.
- Planned, scheduled and delegated daily work.
- Monitored machine operation and diagnosed malfunctions.
- Organized work to meet demanding production goals.
- Set up and verified functionality of safety equipment.
- Monitored product standards and quality-control programs.
- Supervised and motivated staff and management.
- Ensured that all health and safety guidelines were followed.
- Managed team performance by training, mentoring, disciplining and motivating employees.
- Calibrated machines to keep them running at peak performance.
- Assisted machine operators with finished pieces.
- Read and followed standard operating procedures.
- Maintained quality assurance and customer satisfaction objectives.
- Responsible for achieving production requirements.
- Determined maintenance requirements and assigned repairs to qualified employees.
- Configured any human and material resources needed.
- Kept work areas clean and neat.
- Prepared and maintained production reports and personnel records.
Production Supervisor
Dr. Pepper Snapple Group
07.2017 - 08.2018
- Planned, directed, coordinated and assigned manpower to meet aggressive production schedules.
- Maintained and communicated daily productivity and shipment reports for all departments.
- Assigned appropriate manufacturing supervisor, assembler and operator duties.
- Defined manufacturing performance standards and reviewed outcome of performance goals to set future targets.
- Addressed all personnel issues promptly and professionally.
- Drove daily production activities with effective communication and leadership.
- Met aggressive production and safety goals while minimizing equipment downtime.
- Oversaw repair and maintenance staff of 8 who cared for equipment, buildings and grounds.
- Directed manufacturing process and operational efficiency procedures to achieve goal of first run capability.
- Worked with quality manager to achieve proper segregation and recycling of all wash and rework.
- Managed documentation of and training on production procedures and work instructions.
- Verified that all process control parameters were being documented and followed at all times.
- Completed and recorded all recycling and rework documentation with high degree of accuracy.
- Managed product quality to guarantee compliance with quality policies, procedures and systems.
- Escalated safety and quality issues and initiated remedial actions promptly.
- Completed and maintained accurate and organized records, documents and reports.
Lead Manager Shop floor Operations
GE Appliances
04.2012 - 04.2017
- Successfully managed production activities so all orders were shipped on time.
- Investigated and implement ideas for quality improvement, increased productivity and cost reduction.
- Championed quality initiatives.
- Managed documentation of and training on production procedures and work instructions.
- Successfully utilized standardized work to meet or exceed production metrics
- Successfully utilized Lean Manufacturing to reduce costs and meet production metrics
- Lead Total Productive Maintenance event for equipment in area to increase up-time and reduce costs
- Communicated constantly with other areas of plant to identify production issues. IE bad parts, quality issues, operator issues that negatively impacted plant yields
- Daily/Weekly payroll responsibilities
- Work closely with union representatives to resolve conflicts
- Implemented culture of responsibility, integrity, and accountability
- Inspired team leads to daily problem solve, this allowed us to increase plant functional yields by 6% last year.
- Supervised team of 45+ operators.
- Planned, directed, coordinated and assigned manpower to meet aggressive production schedules.
- Created and updated department work instructions and reports on regular basis.
- Routinely improved product quality and reduced delivery costs.
- Addressed all personnel issues promptly and professionally.
- Drove daily production activities with effective communication and leadership.
- Directed improvements in safety, product quality, service and cost efficiency.
- Met aggressive production and safety goals while minimizing equipment downtime.
Education
High School Diploma -
Fairdale High School
Fairdale, KY1995
Skills
- Multiple Production line Management
- Timely safety audits
- Quality assurance training
- Excellent Multitasking ability
- Excellent Communicator
- Standardized work training
- Understanding of Total Productive Maintenance /Autonomous Maintenance programs
- Understanding of Lean Manufacturing Principles
- Understanding of 5S Principles
- Excellent written and verbal communications
- Understanding of Continuous Improvement Initiatives
- Complete mastery of UPS Tools and Root Cause Analysis
- Completely comfortable using Microsoft Office Suite programs
Timeline
Operations Manager
Teasdale Latin Foods
08.2024 - Current
RTH Cell Leader
Conagra Brands Inc.
08.2019 - 08.2024
Operations Supervisor
Kellogg's
07.2018 - 08.2019
Production Supervisor
Dr. Pepper Snapple Group
07.2017 - 08.2018
Lead Manager Shop floor Operations
GE Appliances
04.2012 - 04.2017
High School Diploma -
Fairdale High School