Gerald West
SHAKOPEE,MN
Summary
Full-Time Manufacturing and Production professional with extensive experience in the food and factory industry. Proven track record of improving productivity and efficiency through strategic process optimization. Skilled in managing teams, implementing quality control measures, and ensuring compliance with industry regulations.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Extrusion Operator 2
Stratasys Inc
Eden Prairie, MN
09.2022 - 09.2024
- Set up and operated extrusion machines to produce plastic products according to customer specifications.
- Adjusted machine settings to control speed, temperature, pressure and other variables as needed.
- Calibrated gauges and meters to ensure accuracy of readings.
- Adjusted feed rates and monitored material flow during the extrusion process.
- Set controls and ran plastic extrusion machinery in environment and provided adjustments whenever necessary.
- Achieved production targets by maximizing changeover efficiency and setting up equipment.
- Mixed pelletized thermoplastic materials and coloring pigments.
- Weighed and mixed pelletized, granular or powdered thermoplastic materials and coloring pigments.
Quality Assurance Inspector
Legendary Baking / Apple Valley Foods
Chaska, MN
06.2017 - 05.2022
- Analyzed rejected materials and determined root cause of failure or defect.
- Prepared reports summarizing findings from inspections and testing activities.
- Ensured that all safety regulations were followed during inspections and tests.
- Provided feedback to management on process improvements needed in order to meet customer requirements.
- Documented non-conforming items found during inspections according to established guidelines.
- Documented inspection results by completing reports and logs and summarizing and entering data into quality database.
- Performed visual inspections of products to ensure product quality.
Production Line Lead
Legendary Baking
Chaska, MN
05.2014 - 06.2017
- Supervised a team of 10+ employees in the production line area.
- Communicated regularly with management to provide updates on progress towards goals set out at the beginning of each shift.
- Identified potential problems during manufacturing operations and took corrective action when needed.
- Set up, adjusted and maintained machines to operate at peak levels and meet challenging demands.
Batching Technician
Legendary Baking
Chase, Minnesota
04.2011 - 05.2014
- Operated equipment to ensure proper mixing of ingredients according to batching instructions.
- Recorded daily logs detailing any issues encountered during production runs.
- Reported any non-conformances found in raw materials, intermediate products, or final goods immediately upon discovery.
- Selected, measured and weighed ingredients in specified amounts.
- Observed strict food safety and sanitation rules and practices to avoid illnesses like E.coli and salmonella.
- Recorded production data for each product batch, including ingredients used, time cycles and temperatures.
Core Machine Operator
Hitchcock Industries / CCP
Bloomington, MN
03.2004 - 04.2011
- Monitored operations of the core machine and inspected parts for quality assurance.
- Maintained accurate records of production numbers, scrap rates, and other data.
- Ensured that all safety guards were in place before operating the core machine.
- Followed all standard operating procedures for safe operation of the core machine.
- Set up the core machine with the appropriate cutting tools and fixtures.
Education
GED -
Lehmann Center
Minneapolis, MN01-2003
Some College (No Degree) - Culinary Arts
Hennepin Technical College
Minneapolis, MNSkills
- Production efficiency
- Mechanical inspection
- Plastics manufacturing
- Mechanical Troubleshooting
- Pressure Regulation
- Production Monitoring
- Defect analysis
- Punctuality
- Quality control understanding
- Product Inspection
- Equipment monitoring
- Work order processing
- Recipe understanding
- Manufacturing background
- Documentation skills
- Equipment Operation
Timeline
Extrusion Operator 2
Stratasys Inc
09.2022 - 09.2024
Quality Assurance Inspector
Legendary Baking / Apple Valley Foods
06.2017 - 05.2022
Production Line Lead
Legendary Baking
05.2014 - 06.2017
Batching Technician
Legendary Baking
04.2011 - 05.2014
Core Machine Operator
Hitchcock Industries / CCP
03.2004 - 04.2011
GED -
Lehmann Center
Some College (No Degree) - Culinary Arts
Hennepin Technical College
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