Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Hobbies and Interests
Timeline
Generic

Keith Kouts

Oak Harbor

Summary

Dynamic production manager with a proven track record at Okamoto Sandusky Manufacturing, driving efficiency improvements and enhancing safety compliance. Expert in process optimization and team leadership, achieving a 28% increase in productivity through strategic scheduling and effective employee training. Adept at problem-solving and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Overview

22
22
years of professional experience

Work History

Maintenance Shop Manager

Okamoto Sandusky Manufacturing
Sandusky
01.2025 - Current
  • Organized Maintenance shop.
  • Designed work orders to be used when extra jobs are to be done.
  • Started tracking machine downtime for maintenance.
  • Designed maintenance monthly reporting for maintenance spending, downtime, overtime, and capital spending.
  • Direct the workflow for six maintenance individuals.
  • Track the labor hours worked in the shop.
  • Track all work orders to completion
  • Started working in the Maintenance program to enhance technology so we can do PMs on a mobile device or an iPad.

Calender Manager

Okamoto Sandusky Manufacturing
Sandusky
07.2023 - 01.2025
  • I took over a failing department that was running at 50% efficiency and had a 75,000-meter deficit upon my transfer.
  • Trained associates on procedures.
  • Changed the work procedures to accommodate a quicker changeover.
  • Speed up the machine rate per minute to hit production requirements.
  • Set out the standard for production needs so all associates understood what was expected from the department.
  • Reported to the associates the shift meters and run percentage.
  • Set up an email chain so all associates are updated with changes and with machine updates as needed.
  • Reported all issues to the Plant Manager and Assistant Plant Manager.
  • Worked with Maintenance to fix all mechanical obstacles that stopped production from moving forward.
  • I worked on the safety performance for the department. Added monthly toolbox talks and hung them on the information board after review and sign-offs were performed.
  • Worked with Scheduling to change the product lineup to be more conducive to a quicker running schedule.

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Okamoto Sandusky Manufacturing
Sandusky
07.2008 - 07.2023
  • Resolved issues quickly to maintain productivity goals.
  • Managed continuous improvement initiatives to drive gains in quality, flow, and output. Increased productivity by 15%.
  • Reviewed process conditions for optimal performance.
  • Standardized production procedures, job duties.
  • Assessed manufacturing processes and recommended improvements to increase productivity.
  • Addressed personnel issues and scheduling conflicts promptly.
  • Directed key personnel on correct production techniques to achieve required quality.

SUPERVISOR / COLOR MATCHER

Textileather
Toledo
03.2006 - 06.2008
  • Applied strong leadership talents and critical thinking skills to maintain team efficiency and organize workflows.
  • Maintained clean and well-organized production areas to avoid violations or unnecessary work delays due to hazards or inefficient layouts.
  • Set overall vision and provided team leadership.
  • Worked with management team to implement proper division of responsibilities.
  • Enforced rules and regulations outlined in company manual to set forth expectations comprehensibly and consistently.
  • Managed 7 Print machines and 1 color matcher.
  • Decreased color matching by 25% by setting tighter color weigh up specs.
  • Created program in Excel for simplified reporting of production numbers by shift with built in scrap details.
  • Managed 14 Print associates on 2 Dope Room Associates.

SUPERVISOR/COLOR MATCHER

Sandusky Athol
Sandusky
11.2003 - 02.2005
  • Created successful work schedules for each team member to maintain deadlines and fully staff shifts.
  • Administered compliance with company policies, objectives, and communication goals.
  • Maintained color standards and color matching through strong team effort.
  • Organized and maintained clean and safe Ink Room.
  • Created Master Batch weigh sheet for less color matching time.
  • Reduced color matching time by 70%.
  • Increased productivity in Printer department by 50% with more precise color matching.

Education

Color Matching Technology -

Textileather
Toledo, OH
06.2008

High School Diploma -

Oak Harbor High School
Oak Harbor, OH

Skills

  • Production management
  • Process improvement
  • Equipment maintenance
  • Safety compliance
  • Team leadership
  • Scheduling optimization
  • Performance tracking
  • Project management
  • Communication skills
  • Problem solving
  • Time management
  • Conflict resolution
  • Policy implementation
  • Preventive Maintenance
  • Plan projects
  • Team development
  • Decision-making
  • Employee training

Accomplishments

  • Trained and supervised 60 production staff over 12-year period.
  • Increased overall productivity and quality by 30% by implementing training programs designed to increase performance levels.
  • Proficiently supervised 7 production lines, materials inspection, scheduled production, and conducted weekly physical inventories.

Hobbies and Interests

  • Avid bowler. Bowled OABT earlier in my career.
  • Restoring 1966 C-10 truck

Timeline

Maintenance Shop Manager

Okamoto Sandusky Manufacturing
01.2025 - Current

Calender Manager

Okamoto Sandusky Manufacturing
07.2023 - 01.2025

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Okamoto Sandusky Manufacturing
07.2008 - 07.2023

SUPERVISOR / COLOR MATCHER

Textileather
03.2006 - 06.2008

SUPERVISOR/COLOR MATCHER

Sandusky Athol
11.2003 - 02.2005

Color Matching Technology -

Textileather

High School Diploma -

Oak Harbor High School

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Keith Kouts