James Ahrens
Summerville ,SC
Summary
High-performing detail oriented Operations and Maintenance Coordinator/planner/scheduler with over 20 years of experience delivering successful improvements for business operations, profitability and team development in a fast-paced and changing environment. Adept at interpreting blueprints, developing schedules and overseeing team operations. Well-versed in managing workflow, delegating tasks to meet objectives and ensuring operational compliance is always met with proven history, hard work and dependability.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
year of post-secondary education
Work History
Mechanical Technician
DC Machine
Summerville, South Carolina
01.2022 - Current
- Operated and maintained machinery for efficient production processes.
- Conducted routine inspections to ensure equipment functionality and safety standards.
- Diagnosed mechanical issues and performed necessary repairs on equipment.
- Developed project plans to align with organizational goals and timelines.
- Coordinated cross-functional teams to enhance communication and collaboration efforts.
- Analyzed data to identify trends and inform strategic decision-making processes.
- Managed resources effectively to optimize workflow and productivity across projects.
- Established guidelines for project documentation to ensure consistency and clarity.
- Identified potential problems and created solutions to mitigate risks associated with projects.
- Monitored project progress and adjusted plans as needed to meet goals on time and within budget.
- Ensured all team members were aware of their roles and responsibilities and had necessary resources available.
- Facilitated discussions between teams and departments about potential roadblocks that could impact project success.
- Partnered with suppliers, buyers, schedulers, shipping and receiving, quality and production teams to promote timely delivery, availability and production usage of materials for optimal production.
- Identified potential issues and resolutions with inventory and quality while introducing new products, engineering changes and customer conversions.
- Produced maps and diagrams for use in planning and implementation.
- Coordinated meetings between teams, departments to discuss project updates, status.
- Monitored and reported on the progress of planning projects, identifying issues and implementing corrective actions as needed.
- Distributed work orders to departments.
- Received incoming shipments and reviewed contents against purchase order for accuracy.
- Collaborated with team leaders to assess project timelines and requirements.
- Communicated schedule changes effectively throughout the organization when necessary.
- Developed and maintained scheduling procedures to ensure timely completion of projects.
- Maintained accurate records of all tasks completed by the team.
- Performed data entry into computer systems for tracking purposes.
- Maintained positive working relationship with fellow staff and management.
Operations & Maintenance Coordinator
City of Columbia
Columbia, SC
08.2021 - Current
- Directed day-to-day operations by spearheading implementation of short-term and long-term strategies to achieve business plan and profitability goals.
- Planned daily operational strategies, including delivery routing, team workflows and promotional initiatives.
- Maintained safety and emergency readiness among personnel by disseminating information on and monitoring compliance with regulatory and organizational policies.
- Built upon established practice standards to improve operational performance and reduce labor costs.
- Aided senior leadership during executive decision-making process by generating daily reports to recommend corrective actions and improvements.
- Inspected production areas to identify and correct unsafe or unauthorized practices.
- Conferred with subordinate managers each day to assess needs and optimize activities.
- Assisted in refining procedures, defining best practices and correcting reported audit issues.
- Developed incident management strategies to promote troubleshooting, root cause analysis and timely resolution.
Mechanical Maintenance Technician Crew Chief
Sacramento County Sanitation District
Sacramento, CA
03.2012 - 07.2021
- Completed daily, weekly and monthly checklists on building equipment to maintain records of scheduled maintenance procedures.
- Worked frequently with mechanical and plumbing systems to complete knowledgeable inspections and skilled repairs.
- Reviewed technical documentation to complete equipment maintenance and repair.
- Maintained equipment by troubleshooting breakdowns and performing preventive maintenance.
- Assessed operating conditions and adjusted settings to maximize performance and equipment longevity.
- Reviewed blueprints and specifications to identify most effective ways to approach projects.
- Removed dirt and lubricated machinery shafts, bearings and gears as part of regular maintenance.
- Completed partial or full dismantling of equipment to quickly repair or replace defective components and restore functionality.
- Quickly responded to internal service calls regarding malfunctioning equipment and completed repairs effectively, improving overall employee satisfaction.
- Worked with building managers to assess ongoing needs and plan preventive maintenance and cleaning schedules.
Journeyman Plumber/Pipefitter/Welder
Lawson Mechanical Contractors
Sacramento, CA
01.2005 - 03.2012
- Crafted piping, including measuring, threading and cutting materials to correct angles.
- Inspected sewers and piping systems to assess quality and condition.
- Interpreted blueprints to determine locations, quantities and sizes of materials required.
- Provided emergency services to install and repair toilets, water heaters, appliances and showers to maintain 100% customer satisfaction ratings.
- Filled pipe systems with water and air to determine location of leaks.
- Assisted with repairs to steam, drainage and sewer lines.
- Cut openings in structures to accommodate pipes and pipe fittings.
- Installed valves, hangers, supports and flanges inside piping systems.
- Completed valve, hangar and flange installations.
- Secured rising mains and boiler piping to structural supports in new construction and remodeling projects.
- Selected type and size of piping required for each project.
Education
Life Cycle Institute
01.2025 - 12.2025
Trade School - Plumbing/Pipefitting/Welding 5 Year Apprenticeship
Foothill College
Los Altos, CASkills
- Problem solving ability
- Mechanical expertise
- Equipment installation
- Blueprint and schematic understanding
- Plumbing
- Technical school
- Safety and compliance
- Commercial construction
- CMMS Proficient
- SCADA proficient
- Confined Space Team
- Emergency Chemical response Team
- Multi-unit operations management
- Policies and procedures implementation
- Workforce training
- Solutions development
- Contract review and recommendations
- Workforce Management
- Team Building/Leadership
- Management
- Production
- Maintenance planning
- Project management
Hobbies
Spending quality time with my family
First Sergeant for Yuba County Sheriff's Mounted Search and Rescue
Yuba County Sheriff's board of directors for search and rescue
Building classic cars and trucks
Timeline
Life Cycle Institute
01.2025 - 12.2025
Mechanical Technician
DC Machine
01.2022 - Current
Operations & Maintenance Coordinator
City of Columbia
08.2021 - Current
Mechanical Maintenance Technician Crew Chief
Sacramento County Sanitation District
03.2012 - 07.2021
Journeyman Plumber/Pipefitter/Welder
Lawson Mechanical Contractors
01.2005 - 03.2012
Trade School - Plumbing/Pipefitting/Welding 5 Year Apprenticeship
Foothill College