Forrest Geraw
West Topsham,VT
Summary
High-performing professional with 12 years of experience in the Unilever manufacturing industry. Skilled in developing strong internal and external relationships to facilitate collaborations and achievement of high-priority goals. Confident in the ability to thrive in a fast pace setting and leverage skills such as problem-solving, Operation management, and KIP oriented to enable team success. Committed to lifelong learning and going the extra mile to continue to facilitate continuous improvement. Results-focused Supervisor offering successful background leading talented sales personnel. Successful at engaging with staff by discussing sales performance, maintaining accountability and acknowledging excellent performance. Driven to maintain service standards by supporting staff in handling service issues and customer communications.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Front line Manager
Ben & Jerry’s/Unilever
01.2011 - Current
- Interim Operations Manager support for the Waterbury factory
- Managed multiple teams on various shifts in Waterbury
- Onboarded, guided, and developed other FLMs on Unilever/B&J leadership practices
- Running plant operations while troubleshooting on the spot and making fast decisions
- Instrumental in quick decision-making, and problem-solving while reaching production KPI
- Lead recruitment and other Talent Acquisition functions in the absence of HR
- Responsible for the HR function in the absence of the HR team: recruitment, onboarding, corrective actions, leave of absence, culture, and retention
- Troubleshoot issues with new equipment and educated others on proper usage
- Oversaw payroll Kronos system in partnership with Waterbury Payroll Administrator
- Performed side functions: active member of Ben & Jerry’s line 4 steering committee, attended all fire calls at the plant, co-led the pump team, and managed “RCAs” s
- The root cause analysis facilitated the Risk Assessment process for B&J.
- Developed and implemented strategies to improve customer service and increase sales.
- Coordinated resource planning efforts to ensure adequate staffing levels during peak periods without sacrificing quality or efficiency standards in operations management tasks.
- Enhanced team productivity by implementing efficient work schedules and streamlining task delegation.
- Optimized inventory management processes to minimize waste and maintain appropriate stock levels.
- Mentored new hires, providing guidance and resources to help them acclimate quickly to their roles.
- Facilitated cross-training initiatives promoting versatility within the team, allowing for greater flexibility in shift coverage when needed.
- Successfully managed budgets and allocated resources to maximize productivity and profitability.
- Trained personnel in equipment maintenance and enforced participation in exercises focused on developing key skills.
Plumber/Reconstruction Specialist
Geraw General Construction
01.2006 - 01.2017
- Owned/operated a construction contracting company specializing in home and commercial remodeling
- Managed/supervised a crew of three to ten construction laborers
- Bidding jobs, Price, time to complete
- Reading blueprints
- Working with vendors to get the best equipment, materials, and labor to get the jobs done
- Worked with insurance companies to get homeowners their homes and other buildings back to 100 percent after fires and flooding.
- Installed new piping systems in various types of buildings following local building codes and regulations.
- Repaired plumbing systems, components, and equipment.
- Performed regular maintenance on plumbing systems to prevent costly future repairs for customers.
- Measured, threaded, and cut materials to correct angles.
- Consistently met deadlines while maintaining high-quality craftsmanship throughout all stages of plumbing installations, repairs, or maintenance tasks.
- Selected type and size of piping required for each project.
- Resolved emergency plumbing situations quickly and efficiently to minimize property damage for customers.
- Performed troubleshooting on HVAC systems to determine root cause of issues.
- Installed new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems in residential and commercial buildings with precision and attention to detail.
- Troubleshot complex HVAC problems, identifying root causes and implementing effective solutions.
- Conducted maintenance service on HVAC systems to increase life expectancy of equipment and prevent costly repair work.
- Repaired and replaced motors, bearings and belts.
- Inspected and tested refrigeration systems, safety devices and controls to determine proper functionality.
Education
Business Management, Leadership courses, Conflict resolution -
Union University
01.2017
plumbing apprentice program -
VTC
01.2009
Skills
- Coaching and Mentoring
- Innovation and Creativity
- Staff Development
- Problem-solving skills
- Time Management
- Relationship building and management
- Team Supervision
- Workflow Management
- Operations
- Effective Planning
- Order Management
- Budgeting and finance
Timeline
Front line Manager
Ben & Jerry’s/Unilever
01.2011 - Current
Plumber/Reconstruction Specialist
Geraw General Construction
01.2006 - 01.2017
Business Management, Leadership courses, Conflict resolution -
Union University
plumbing apprentice program -
VTC
Similar Profiles
Daniel DonovanDaniel Donovan
Regional Catering Event Manager at Ben & Jerry’sRegional Catering Event Manager at Ben & Jerry’s
Colette HittingerColette Hittinger
Head of US Retail at Ben & Jerry’s Franchising IncHead of US Retail at Ben & Jerry’s Franchising Inc
Beret StahlBeret Stahl
Human Resources Business Partner at Jerry’s Enterprises, Inc.Human Resources Business Partner at Jerry’s Enterprises, Inc.