ERIC DRES
York Container
Valparaiso,IN
26
Years of experience
Efficient Plant Manager with seasoned, strong leadership skills known for productivity and task completion. Specialize in workflow optimization, safety protocol adherence, and team leadership. Transformational leader. Excel in communication, problem-solving, and adaptability to ensure smooth plant operations, employee coordination and a positive Customer Experience. Strong operational expertise spanning the business and production sides of operations. Specializes in plant start ups and technical service expertise assisting sales and the customer develop packaging solutions in accordance to their needs. Assist in the design, quoting, routing, measuring plant efficiencies, geared towards insuring that ideal contribution margins are in place, ultimately translating to profitable, repeatable business. Manufacturing professional with extensive experience in plant operations and production management. Proven history of implementing process improvements that enhance operational efficiency and product quality. Reliable team collaborator with focus on achieving results and adapting to changing needs, bringing valuable organizational and leadership skills to role.
Work History
Plant Manager
1 Year 3 Months- Directs daily operations of container production of the entire facility and our 250 person work force to ensure optimal workflow.
- Managed workforce scheduling to optimize labor efficiency and productivity.
- Implemented safety protocols to ensure compliance with industry regulations.
- Oversaw profit and loss statements to maintain financial accountability and operational performance.
- Plant startup/turnaround operations leader
- Boosted productivity by 25 percent over 14 months through implementation of process and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Coordinated supply chain logistics for timely material delivery and usage.
- Monitored production quality to maintain company standards and specifications.
- Led process improvement initiatives to enhance operational workflows.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to align production goals with business objectives.
- Managed budgeting and forecasting activities related to plant operations.
- Scheduled routine maintenance activities for all machinery used in production processes.
- Monitored daily operations of the plant, ensuring safety protocols were followed.
- Ensured compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations regarding plant operations.
- Established key performance indicators to monitor progress towards goals.
- Collaborated with vendors to maintain optimal levels of inventory management practices.
- Implemented initiatives that reduced energy consumption at the facility by 15%.
- Evaluated employee job performance and provided feedback.
- Assisted in developing policies and procedures for the efficient operation of the plant.
- Identified and implemented process improvements to increase production efficiency.
- Prepared monthly reports on operational performance indicators.
- Investigated customer complaints and developed corrective action plans accordingly.
- Conducted regular inspections of the facility to ensure a safe working environment.
- Analyzed data from factory automation systems to identify areas of improvement in production line efficiency.
- Trained new staff on proper safety procedures and use of equipment.
- Directed personnel in the maintenance, repair, and installation of equipment used in the manufacturing process.
- Supported departments in successfully utilizing available labor, materials and equipment resources for production.
- Planned, directed and coordinated operations for production, machinery and processing within company policies and procedures.
- Gave direction and leadership to all levels of employees and managers.
- Adjusted and improved processes to maximize efficiency.
- Developed strategic programs and devised key plans that affected the direction of the business.
- Used excellent verbal skills to engage customers in conversation and effectively determine needs and requirements.
- Used strong issue resolution and communication skills to cultivate and strengthen lasting client relationships.
- Formed and sustained strategic relationships with clients.
- Created effective business plans to focus strategic decisions on long-term objectives
- Worked alongside and led cross-functional continuous improvement team geared towards improving the Customer Experience, with an emphasis on On Time in Full metrics, ultimately increasing to and sustaining an OTIF rate of 98.8% from a 65% average rate over a fourteen month period.
- OEE implementation and standardization
- Plant start up expertise, training, process creation and implementation, development of KPIs where none existed, budgeting, created a path to progression structure by creating specific roles and responsibilities where none existed. Assisted in creating board grades, machine routing, business quoting, paper transfer price, ordering and managing.
- Create, trained, implemented quality specification standards, checks and countermeasure processes where none existed across the Converting, Corrugating and Shipping Departments.
- Created waste measurement process and machine specific budgets. Decreased the measured waste from 17% to 9.5% over the course of three months, while sustaining it.
- Identified many areas for cost reduction initiatives, developed them, trained and executed the initiatives resulting in an immediate monthly cost savings of over 300,000 dollars that has consistently held for an entire quarter. Measured and documented.
- Change agent
- Hands on leader that has developed from the bottom up organically.
Converting Plant Superintendent
5 Years 7 Months- Managed daily operations of production facilities and 180, employees, 12 salaried direct reports, to ensure efficient workflow in one of the largest converters departments in the United States, 18MMSF or day average output.
- Oversaw maintenance schedules for equipment to minimize downtime and disruptions.
- Implemented safety protocols to maintain a secure working environment for staff.
- Orchestrate the department’s manpower structure and lead strategic hiring initiatives.
Plant Master Scheduler/Plant Technical Service Consultant
2 Years 3 Months- Directed the company’s plant Scheduling Department ensuring optimal workflow and resource allocation.
- Oversaw 4 four salaried schedules on site and seven schedules offsite spanning multiple plants.
- Maintained an overarching master schedule for all manufacturing operations, enhancing productivity and organization.
- Engineered daily schedules for the corrugator and converting equipment utilizing CTI computer systems.
- Facilitated cross-department interactions to improve operational synergy.
- Orchestrated manpower structure and led strategic hiring to align resources with production needs.
- Inspire and guide the converting team to exceed production efficiency KPIs.
- Facilitate seamless interactions across all departments to enhance operational synergy.
- Orchestrate the department’s manpower structure and lead strategic hiring initiatives.
- Provided technical service consultation on and offsite to assist the sales team and customer with operational issues, carton design to best suit their needs, quoting new items to maximize profit and customer experience routing, tooling purchase, preprint design.
- Acted as the Plant Liaison in a rare role that bridged the gap between production, sales and the customer needs.
- Heavy exposure to sales, customer environments, pricing, structure design and board grade expertise.
- Oversaw the scheduling departments of three sister plants in tandem with the local plant.
Converting Supervisor
4 Years 3 Months- Managed daily production operations within converting department, ensuring efficient workflow and timely output.
- Devised and implemented comprehensive production schedules tailored to operational demands.
- Conducted regular quality inspections to ensure compliance with industry standards and specifications, enhancing product reliability.
Corrugator Supervisor/Corrugator Department Shift Manager 2nd shift
7 Years 6 Months- Supervised team of corrugator operators to enhance operational efficiency and productivity.
- Managed machine setup and performance adjustments to maximize output.
- Conducted equipment inspections and scheduled maintenance to maintain peak performance.
Education
Bachelors - Supply Chain and Operations Mgt.
Skills
Production scheduling
Quality control
Process optimization
Safety compliance
Inventory management
Safety protocols
Project management
Budget management
Process improvement
Lean manufacturing
Energy efficiency
Logistics coordination
Supply chain logistics
Data analysis
Performance monitoring
Cost reporting
Plant layout design
Technical troubleshooting
Machinery Knowledge
Equipment maintenance
Compliance
Regulatory compliance
ISO standards
Operational auditing
Administrative oversight
Cost control
Procurement
Production planning
Cross-functional collaboration
Operational excellence
Project coordination
Operations oversight
Coaching and training
Employee training
Staff training
Relationship Building
Team leadership
Motivation and team building
Communication
Effective communication
Conflict resolution
Interpersonal Skills
Organizational skills
Time management
Adaptability
Employee engagement
Employee relations
P&L accountability
Staff hiring
Benchmarking
Environmental compliance
Product development
Facility management
Software proficiency
Problem solving
Operational expertise encompassing the entirety of the production process
BHS Corrugator technical expertise
FFG and RDC technical expertise
Mentorship and team development champion
Continuous and process improvement champion
Timeline
Plant Manager
York Container
05.2025 - CurrentRead More
Converting Plant Superintendent
Pratt Industries
10.2019 - 05.2025Read More
Plant Master Scheduler/Plant Technical Service Consultant
Pratt Industries
07.2017 - 10.2019Read More
Converting Supervisor
Pratt Industries
04.2013 - 07.2017Read More
Corrugator Supervisor/Corrugator Department Shift Manager 2nd shift
Pratt Industries
10.2005 - 04.2013Read More
Western Governors University
Bachelors from Supply Chain and Operations Mgt.
05.2025Read More