David Barkus
Springfield,IL
Summary
With over 25 years in the thermoplastics industry, my journey has led me to serve as Vice President of Thermoplastic Elastomers at Aurora Material Solutions, where I have honed my expertise in business strategy and acquisitions. Previously, as President at Elastocon TPE Technologies, I cultivated a deep understanding of thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), leveraging this knowledge to drive new business development and foster strategic partnerships. At the core, my mission aligns with creating innovative solutions that propel the industry forward. My roles have allowed me to bring diverse perspectives to the team, ensuring that our values of innovation and customer satisfaction are met with every endeavor.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President Thermoplastic Elastomers
Aurora Material Solutions
04.2019 - 04.2024
- Collaborated with senior management to develop strategic initiatives and long term goals.
- Established performance goals for product sales growth and provided methods for reaching milestones.
- Demonstrated proficient leadership skills to motivate and guide sales, customer service, and operations
- Review Pipeline to establish and win target customers and projects
- Achieved significant cost savings through supply chain optimization efforts such as strategic sourcing initiatives and logistics improvements.
- Increased company growth through collaboration with sales and marketing departments.
- Streamlined operations to maximize business efficiency and profits.
- Initiated strategy to drive company growth and increase market share and profitability.
- Maintained P&L and shouldered corporate fiscal responsibility.
- Oversaw divisional marketing, advertising and new product development.
- Established and maintained strong relationships with customers, vendors and strategic partners.
President
Elastocon TPE Technologies
09.1999 - 04.2019
- Reduced operational costs through strategic cost management initiatives.
- Established a culture of accountability by setting clear expectations and holding individuals responsible for results.
- Inspired innovation by creating an environment that encouraged creative thinking and problem-solving capabilities.
- Directed change management initiatives that aligned employees with evolving business objectives.
- Cultivated strong relationships with external partners to foster collaboration and maximize resources.
- Developed and implemented new strategies and policies to establish long-term business objectives and provide strong and sustainable organizational leadership.
- Championed corporate social responsibility initiatives, fostering goodwill within the community and industry.
- Navigated complex regulatory environments while maintaining compliance across all aspects of the organization''s operations.
- Established and maintained strong relationships with customers, vendors and strategic partners.
- Managed financial, operational and human resources to optimize business performance.
- Initiated strategy to drive company growth and increase market share and profitability.
- Developed innovative sales and marketing strategies to facilitate business expansion.
- Formulated and executed strategic initiatives to improve product offerings.
- Monitored key business risks and established risk management procedures.
- Analyzed industry trends and tracked competitor activities to inform decision making.
Sales and Technical Support
GLS Corporation
06.1996 - 08.1998
- Assisted clients remotely using remote desktop tools to expedite troubleshooting process significantly.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to address complex customer issues, ensuring a seamless support experience.
- Maximized productivity by maintaining an organized work environment and managing multiple projects simultaneously.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of industry trends, allowing for informed recommendations on technology solutions that met client needs best.
Production Supervisor
Plastipak Packaging
06.1995 - 06.1996
- Established clear priorities and production quality standards.
- Resolved issues quickly to maintain productivity goals.
- Managed team of 50 production associates, overseeing productive production processes and meeting all deadlines.
- Managed internal operational standards and productivity targets.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Engineering Technology Industrial Plastics
Illinois State University
Normal, IL05.1995
Skills
- Business Strategy
- Business Development
- Contract Negotiation
- Relationship Building
- TPE Formulation
- Complex Problem-Solving
- Sales and Marketing Leadership
- Mergers and Acquisitions
Timeline
Vice President Thermoplastic Elastomers
Aurora Material Solutions
04.2019 - 04.2024
President
Elastocon TPE Technologies
09.1999 - 04.2019
Sales and Technical Support
GLS Corporation
06.1996 - 08.1998
Production Supervisor
Plastipak Packaging
06.1995 - 06.1996
Bachelor of Science - Engineering Technology Industrial Plastics
Illinois State University
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