Kenneth R. Buford
Chicago
Summary
Dynamic senior leader with over 19 years of experience in team leadership, operational financial improvement, and business process development. Holds a B.S. in Industrial Engineering and a dual MBA in Entrepreneurship and Marketing, complemented by a Master Black Belt (MBB) in Lean Six Sigma.
Expertise includes crafting policies and procedures that foster innovation, reduce costs, and enhance efficiency through methodologies such as Daily Management, Value Stream Process Mapping, Kaizen Events, Investigations, and GEMBA Walks. Proven strategist with a strong track record in high-level management roles, dedicated to driving organizational success through collaboration and measurable results. Recognized for adaptability, reliability, and exceptional communication skills, with proficiency in strategic planning, operations management, and stakeholder engagement.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Sr. Director of Operations and Security
Hearthside Food Solutions
07.2023 - Current
- Responsibilities includes leading multiple locations with teams of over 1,300+ managers, supervisors, and other leadership leaders. Sites responsible $780 MM in revenues and $50 MM in EBITDA.
- Implemented Tier Meetings, CI-Tools, and Lean Thinking across entire enterprise. Transformed a site that had an Overall Equipment Efficiency (OEE) of 63% to having over 84% OEE in less than 90 days. Implemented hour-over-hour boards. Assisted in the development of network wide Leadership Standard Work and Best Practices. Sites under my leadership are considered “World Class.”
- Hearthside Food Solutions is a $4 Billion-dollar Private Equity Company with more than 24 locations.
National Director of Operation and Physical Security
Insight Corporation
06.2021 - 07.2023
- Responsible for all Distribution and Warehousing Operations, with a team of approximately 750+ team members including Plant Mangers, Operating Managers, Inventory Mangers, and Security personnel.
- Key responsibilities:
- People leadership: Responsible for leading and improving three (3) domestic and two (2) international distribution facilities. Created an environment of diversity, development, and achievement. Reported to Global SVP
- Pipeline Development: Championed Continuous Improvement and 5-Ways methodology to reduce systemic and chronic losses within the distribution centers. This program led to a throughput increase of 22% in the first 90 days and a reduction of Outbound backlog from 30+ days, to backlog being brought to current.
- Profit and Loss: Responsible for $90MM operational budget. Accountable for debriefing both CEO and COO on operational metrics, monthly trends, and financial results.
- On-Time Shipment and Late Departures: Increased the number of On-time UPS/ FedEx shipments from 74%, to 98.5% companywide. This was achieved by deconstructing each shift into 4 (four) quarters and having leaders provide feedback to their team’s quarter-over-quarter. Moreover, I introduced Leadership Standard Work (LSW), which contributed to the company’s success.
- Leadership Development: Developing long-term Leadership Distribution Center Strategy (+ 5 years).
Head of Distribution Centers Improvement, Continuous Improvement Supply Chain Leader
ASC Engineered Solutions
06.2021 - 07.2023
- Responsible for driving national cross-functional teams to execute Continuous Improvement activities while interacting with Senior Leadership. Focused on communicating priorities, identification of issues, and leading resolution. Instituted a corporate wide Kaizen and VSM that impacted the financial bottom line while increasing hourly throughput at all national distribution centers. Additionally, responsible for the security of all Distribution Sites.
- ASC Engineered Solutions is a $2 Billion-dollar Private Equity Company with many companies under its umbrella.
Director, Warehouse Operations
US Foods Corporation
06.2019 - 06.2021
- Responsible for a total of seven Managers and Supervisors, with a combined team of approximately 400+ team members. Developed and managed a Command Center during Covid-19, with the purpose of redirecting GMs, Supervisors, and team members to US Foods locations across the country due to shortages.
- Key responsibilities:
- People leadership: Responsible for two (2) warehousing facilities, each with approximately 200+ team members. Both locations had Engagement scores under 61% and an on-time dispatch of 70%. Within 90 days of being appointed, Engagement scores improved to 92%, with on-time dispatch improving to 99.2%. Both improvements were achieved while reducing overtime from 23% to 6.6% resulting in cost savings of over $1MM. Also developed five (5) national programs that were rolled out to all US Food locations.
- Pipeline Development: Promoted two (2) Managers and two (2) Supervisors to higher roles of responsibility due to my coaching, mentoring, and developing of their skillset.
- On-time Shipment and Late Departures: Reduced the number of late departing trailers from an average of nine (9) per day, to achieve a remarkable 362 days without a single late departing trailer. Reduced operational expenses by 19% and 15% year-over-year. Increased net profits by 21% and 14% year-over-year. Also, developed an Anomaly Detection System (ADS) to prevent duplicate orders from shipping, with a projected annual savings of $832,000 per year.
- Achievements:
- 2019 President’s Award – CEO Innovation Award for Cost Reduction
- 2020 Spot Award Bonus – Development of New Business Opportunity.
Site Manager, (Plant Manager)
Amazon Inc
03.2016 - 06.2019
- Responsible for six (6) Area Managers and Supervisors, with a total team of over 500+ team members across three shifts. Reducing Injury Frequency Rate (IFR) by 40% and reduced Accident Frequency Rate (AFR) by 35%. Responsible for having the highest Connecting Scores of any Distribution Center in North American at 98%.
- Key responsibilities:
- People leadership: Responsible for Inbound and Outbound Operation. Also, responsible for Amazon’s Last Mile Operation terminals.
- Enhance Decision Making: Reduced the cost per package from $8.7 to $3.9 in a three (3) months timeframe. Improved overall culture at two problem Amazon locations. Develop a training program based on FBI training that focuses on observing body language, listing to team members, and holding leaders accountable for KPI/Metrics.
- Enterprise pipeline performance solutions: Part of working group that launched delivering packages directly to customer’s vehicle (Amazon Key) and delivery of packages inside customer’s home (Amazon Home). Also, pilot site for the launch of Amazon Airplanes Service (Amazon Air).
- Integration Management: Investigated workplace violence, thefts, and reduced trailer break in during Amazon’s Peak season.
Senior Vice President, Bus and Rail Tranist Operation
Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)
05.2013 - 03.2016
- Supervised a team of 4 (four) Sr. Directors and Director to ensure high-performing, agile, cross-functional collaboration. Coached and upskilled direct reports on Program Management, Staff Development, Decision-Making, and Speed to Action. Areas of responsibility included Bus Operations, Rail Operations, and Capital Projects Department. Assigned to the CTA as an FBI Special Agent liaison to improve systemwide security system and reduce violent crimes across the transit network.
- Key responsibilities:
- People leadership: Responsible for over 6,500+ union and non-union employees. Responsible for providing over 1.6 MM daily Bus and Rail Transit rides. 3rd highest position within CTA’s Operations Division, reporting directly to CTO.
- Enhance Decision Making: Implemented a change control process to facilitate and increase on-time dispatch, reduced CTA’s Injuries, overtime expenditures, and late arrivals by 48%, resulting in an annual savings of $10MM.
- Profit and Loss Responsible: Responsible for 65% of all CTA’s workforce. Responsible for an annual budget of over $530 MM. Accountable for debriefing both CTO and COO on operational metrics, monthly ridership, and financial targets.
- Enterprise pipeline performance solutions: Conducted gap assessment to identify enhancements to the project and performance management system resulting in new functionality to drive the change control process and increase ridership, on time dispatch, and employee engagement.
- Integration Management: Used Lean Six Sigma methodology to reduce silos across safety, maintenance, finance, and operations departments. Negotiated contract concessions with both Bus and Rail union Presidents.
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), - Cyber and Counterintelligence Special Agent (Supervisor)
US Government
06.2008 - 05.2015
- People leadership: Relief Supervisor Special Agent responsible for the signing of search warrants, reviewing case files, conducting 1:1 with junior Special Agents, Additionally, Investigated all cases of criminal Cyber intrusions against U.S companies and the U.S government. Trained Agents how to testify in court to evidence found during criminal investigations.
- Enhance Decision Making: Helped to coach, develop, and mentor Agents-in-Training at FBI training facility in Quantico, VA. Trained new Agents on decision making, conflict resolutions, and problem-solving skills. Moreover, helped first year Agents understanding of constitutional stands to properly obtain and execute warrants for arrests and searches.
- Enterprise pipeline performance solutions: Part of FBI’s Field Intelligence Group (FIG) and FBI’s Evidence Respond Team (ERT). Both teams are responsible for implementing a Command Post during special events, i.e., NFL Draft, NBA All State Weekend, Air and Water Shows, etc. Managed up to five comprehensive investigations simultaneously of complex, multi-jurisdictional Cyber-crimes, Counterintelligence, and Counterterrorism.
- Achievements:
- FBI Academy – Graduated in top 10% of class.
- Citizen Academy – Co-chaired FBI’s Pittsburgh’s Citizen Academy Program.
- HUMIT Expert- Graduated 1st in Class in developing FBI Sources and Assets
Roles Prior to 2008
Engineering Roles
2000 - 2008
- REGIONAL MANAGER, CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT – General Mills Cereal Company
- Responsible for development and design, data and safety, regulatory, supply chain and operations management excellences. Built a team of 4 (four) Engineers dedicated to Continuous Improvement and TPM Excellences, to build and support General Mill’s operation structure for the future.
- INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING MANAGER- M&M/MARS Candy Company
- Industrial Engineer/Co-Packaging Manager for 5 (five) M&M Co-Packaging/Co-Manufacturing facilities. Responsible for performance management and career development for direct reports.
- PROGRAM MANGER FOR MAYTAG CORPORATION – Ryerson Steel (Maytag Account)
- Responsible for Continuous Improvement and cost reduction for 3 (three) Maytag manufacturing facilities.
- PETTY OFFICER 3RD CLASS- JET ENGINE MECHANIC – UNITED STATES NAVY
- Maintained F-14 TF-30 and F-110 Airframe, Power-Plant, Combustion and Exhaust systems. Supervised team of 350 Airman/Seaman during ships reengineering/redesigning.
Education
B.S. - Industrial Engineering
University of Illinois, Chicago
ILMBA - Entrepreneurship and Marketing
Dominican University
River Forest, ILMasters - Accounting
Dominican University
River Forest, IL01.2026
Skills
- Security clearance
- Investigator for physical and cyber security
- Proficient in negotiation strategies
- Experienced in effective problem-solving
- Proficient case management
- Strategic decision-making
- Experienced in managing disputes
- Value stream mapping facilitator
- Standard work procedure implementation
- Facilitating effective team collaboration
- Financial budget oversight
- Product launch strategy
- Project integration coordination
- Project management proficiency
Certification
Villanova University
Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt (LSSBB) Certificate # 171S0030887 – Nov. 2006
Villanova University
Essentials of Project Management Certificate # 171S0031501 – Dec. 2007
FBI Academy-
Visiting lecturer for Interviewing and Interrogation- 2009
FBI Academy-
Cyber Security and Investigation Expert- 2010
FBI Academy-
Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Instructor-2012
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Sr. Director of Operations and Security
Hearthside Food Solutions
07.2023 - Current
National Director of Operation and Physical Security
Insight Corporation
06.2021 - 07.2023
Head of Distribution Centers Improvement, Continuous Improvement Supply Chain Leader
ASC Engineered Solutions
06.2021 - 07.2023
Director, Warehouse Operations
US Foods Corporation
06.2019 - 06.2021
Site Manager, (Plant Manager)
Amazon Inc
03.2016 - 06.2019
Senior Vice President, Bus and Rail Tranist Operation
Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)
05.2013 - 03.2016
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), - Cyber and Counterintelligence Special Agent (Supervisor)
US Government
06.2008 - 05.2015
MBA - Entrepreneurship and Marketing
Dominican University
Masters - Accounting
Dominican University
Roles Prior to 2008
Engineering Roles
2000 - 2008
B.S. - Industrial Engineering
University of Illinois, Chicago
Personal Information
Title: Industrial Engineer, MBA, and MBB