Keith Austin
Birmingham
Summary
Dynamic operations leader with extensive experience at Southern Heat Exchanger Corp., driving Lean manufacturing initiatives and achieving a 30% increase in workflow efficiency. Proven expertise in P&L management and team leadership, fostering a culture of safety and continuous improvement while enhancing product quality and operational performance.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
General Manager / VP Operations
Southern Heat Exchanger Corp.
Tuscaloosa
11.2008 - Current
- Complete operations responsibilities for three manufacturing plants and 128 employees.
- Full responsibilities for all manufacturing, safety, quality, engineering and purchasing.
- P & L responsibilities of 50 million dollar annual sales.
- Direct 8 supervisors, 100 union employees, 20 office (Engineers, quality, purchasing).
- Oversee manufacturing processes that include welding, fitting, burning, forming and CNC drilling.
- Report to President and CEO while overseeing operations and administration management.
- Manage product quality, customer inspection audits, ASME and TEMA code compliance.
- Utilize analytical and troubleshooting skills to make decisions and solve problems.
- Twenty years of Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement experience.
Plant Manager
Southern Heat Exchanger Corp.
Tuscaloosa
03.1999 - 11.2008
- Complete operations responsibilities for two manufacturing plants.
- Manage all manufacturing personnel, safety, production scheduling, manufacturing engineering, welding, machining, fabricating, assembly, testing, shipping and receiving and recruiting.
- Annual sales of $40M.
- Direct 8 production supervisors and 95 union employees on a three-shift operation.
- Oversee manufacturing processes that include welding, fitting, burning, forming and CNC drilling.
- Report to General Manager and assist in overall operations and administration management.
- Oversee product quality, customer inspection audits, ASME and TEMA code compliance.
- Utilize analytical and troubleshooting skills to make decisions and solve problems.
- Represent company in Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen and continuous improvement programs.
Plant Two Superintendent
Southern Heat Exchanger Corp.
Tuscaloosa
03.1997 - 03.1999
- Managed plant operations, production, hiring and manpower planning.
- Coordinated $1M expansion project.
- Designed workstations and equipment layout that increased workflow and efficiency by 30%.
- Developed new processes and procedures to improve productivity and raw material yield by 15%.
- Managed CAD design, operation and training for CNC burn table.
- Responsible for sales of steel products and metal working services.
Project Engineer/Contract Administrator
Southern Heat Exchanger Corp.
Tuscaloosa
03.1995 - 03.1997
- Managed contract order review and production scheduling.
- Responsible for compliance with customer technical requirements.
- Expedited sales, engineering, purchasing and production.
- Served as customer service contact for corporate and plant buyers, engineers and expediters.
- Developed job specific equipment improvements and manufacturing processes.
- Engineered equipment selection, layout and installation.
- Supervised and attended domestic and international field repair and warranty services.
- Participated in SQL licensure for Chinese quality registration and ISO 9000 program.
Materials Manager
Royal Switchgear Manufacturing Company
St. Louis
05.1994 - 02.1995
- Directed purchasing, inventory control, materials handling and warehousing for electrical switch component manufacturer with annual sales in excess of $6M.
- Directly supervised and coordinated the activities of six associates.
- Managed successful startup of a new manufacturing.
- Responsible for recruiting and training manufacturing employees.
Education
Executive MBA Degree -
University of Alabama
01.2004
Bachelor of Science - Industrial Engineering
University of Alabama
01.1994
High School Diploma -
Tuscaloosa Academy
01.1988
Skills
- Operational management
- Lean manufacturing
- Quality control
- P&L management
- Safety compliance
- Change implementation
- Cost reduction
- Team leadership
- Strategic planning
- Problem solving
- Effective communication
- Employee development
Hobbies and Interests
- Spending time with family
- Church activities
- Playing golf
- Fishing
- Fitness
- Sports
References
Professional and personal references provided upon request.
Affiliations
- Enjoy spending time with my wife, children, family and Church, as well as, playing golf, fishing, fitness and sports.
Timeline
General Manager / VP Operations
Southern Heat Exchanger Corp.
11.2008 - Current
Plant Manager
Southern Heat Exchanger Corp.
03.1999 - 11.2008
Plant Two Superintendent
Southern Heat Exchanger Corp.
03.1997 - 03.1999
Project Engineer/Contract Administrator
Southern Heat Exchanger Corp.
03.1995 - 03.1997
Materials Manager
Royal Switchgear Manufacturing Company
05.1994 - 02.1995
Executive MBA Degree -
University of Alabama
Bachelor of Science - Industrial Engineering
University of Alabama
High School Diploma -
Tuscaloosa Academy
Similar Profiles
Lawrence RileyLawrence Riley
Maintenance Coordinator at Southern Heat Exchanger CorpMaintenance Coordinator at Southern Heat Exchanger Corp
Richard StricklandRichard Strickland
A Fitter at Southern Heat ExchangerA Fitter at Southern Heat Exchanger
Najee LawrenceNajee Lawrence
Inventory Coordinator at Heat Exchanger GroupInventory Coordinator at Heat Exchanger Group
AYOBAMI ABASSAYOBAMI ABASS
Technology Risks Analyst at NHSTechnology Risks Analyst at NHS
Javarian RobinsonJavarian Robinson
Operating Paretner/Training General Manager at Moes Southwest GrillOperating Paretner/Training General Manager at Moes Southwest Grill