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
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