Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Executive Competencies
Core Skills And Tools
Signature Achievements
Certifications And Recognition
Timeline
Generic
Kerry McPherson

Kerry McPherson

Kingsport,Tennessee

Summary

Principal-level Program Manager with 25+ years delivering $100M+ capital programs in utilities, manufacturing, and regulated industries. Proven expertise in Zero Harm safety leadership, contractor governance, risk mitigation, and stakeholder alignment. Track record of CapEx savings, compliance execution, and multi-site program delivery across North America, Europe, and Asia. PMP-certified; adept in PMBOK, Lean Six Sigma, EVM, and IMS scheduling.

Overview

19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Commercial Division Operational Excellence Manager

LENNOX INTERNATIONAL
Richardson, TX
01.2024 - Current
  • Boosted inventory accuracy from 90% in 3 months by directing Stuttgart’s WMS transformation.
  • Improved throughput 15% by redesigning material flows and streamlining escalation workflows.
  • Cut issue resolution time 30% with cross-functional escalation improvements.

Residential Division Sr. Program Manager – Capital & NPI Execution

LENNOX INTERNATIONAL
Richardson, TX
06.2022 - 12.2024
  • Directed $100M+ capital execution across 4 plants and 20+ NPI launches, achieving $25M savings.
  • Improved executive visibility 40% by standardizing IMS schedules, KPI dashboards, and reporting.
  • Ensured compliance for 20+ federally regulated HVAC product launches.
  • Aligned stakeholders and leadership to enterprise goals, strengthening collaboration and resource use.

Senior Program Manager

ZF (formerly TRW Automotive)
Rogersville, TN
01.2019 - 01.2021
  • Directed $20M+ product launches, allocating resources and meeting stakeholder milestones.
  • Led $80M manufacturing system industrialization across NA/EU/Asia with stakeholder alignment and lessons-learned integration.
  • Managed 20+ cross-functional stakeholders with IMS and EVM governance to ensure milestone delivery.

Continuous Improvement Manager

ZF (formerly TRW Automotive)
Rogersville, TN
01.2016 - 01.2018
  • Drove Lean transformation with stakeholder engagement, sustaining benchmark visual factory.
  • Improved KPI performance 10% by implementing tiered daily management and OEE systems.
  • Launched contamination-control program with audit-ready visual zones and best practices.

Operational Excellence Manager

KOMATSU (JoyGlobal)
Duffield, VA
01.2010 - 01.2016
  • Introduced Kaizen safety audits, sustaining 2M+ safe working hours and a Zero Harm culture.
  • Improved productivity 13% and cycle time 25% by relaunching Lean transformation.
  • Directed utilities and infrastructure upgrades, sustaining 100% audit compliance.
  • Scaled model-cell into plant-wide system, earning 'Best-in-Class' honors three years running.

Sr. Manager, Global Program Management

TRW AUTOMOTIVE
Sterling Heights, MI
01.2007 - 01.2009
  • Co-led global PMO across 13 operating units, standardizing project closure and improving milestone adherence 50%.
  • Boosted KPI performance 35%+ through governance tied to risk management, resource allocation, and stakeholder reporting.
  • Implemented global PM standards and roadmaps across divisions, reducing program delays 20%.

Education

MBA Coursework Complete - undefined

King University

BS - Industrial Engineering

University of Tennessee

Skills

  • Capital Program Execution
  • Capital Program Management
  • Contractor Governance
  • Construction Safety
  • Cost Estimation
  • Budgeting
  • Risk & Compliance
  • DOE Compliance
  • OSHA Compliance
  • ISO Compliance
  • ITAR Compliance
  • Risk Management
  • Risk Mitigation
  • PMBOK
  • Stage-Gate Governance
  • Operational Excellence
  • Lean Six Sigma
  • OEE
  • KPI Dashboards
  • EVM
  • IMS Scheduling
  • Digital Tools
  • SAP
  • MS Project
  • SharePoint
  • Power BI
  • Excel

Certification

PMP

Executive Competencies

  • Program Leadership & Governance
  • Multi-Site Capital Program Management ($100M+) with P&L Ownership
  • Integrated Master Scheduling (IMS) & Stage-Gate Governance
  • KPI Dashboards, Bowler Charts & Tiered Escalation Models
  • Performance Tracking, EVM & Risk Mitigation
  • Utility & Infrastructure Project Execution
  • Regulated Capital Execution & Compliance Alignment
  • Procurement, Contract Management & Vendor Ramp-Up
  • Contractor Oversight & Safety-First Project Delivery
  • Operational Excellence & Lean
  • Lean, Six Sigma, Daily Management & Plant Optimization
  • Strategic Program Integration & Cross-Functional Execution
  • Change & Executive Leadership
  • Change Leadership Using Prosci ADKAR & Team Coaching
  • Executive Reporting, KPI Governance & Decision Support
  • Enterprise Strategy Consulting & Digital Program Transformation

Core Skills And Tools

Capital Program Management (>$100M), Contractor Governance, Construction Safety (Zero Harm), Cost Estimation & Budgeting, DOE / OSHA / ISO / ITAR Compliance, Risk Management & Mitigation, PMBOK / Stage-Gate Governance, Lean Six Sigma (Black Belt), OEE / KPI Dashboards, EVM & IMS Scheduling, SAP, MS Project, SharePoint, Power BI, Excel (Advanced / VBA)

Signature Achievements

  • Introduced Kaizen-based safety audits at Komatsu, achieving 2M+ safe working hours with zero lost-time incidents, embedding a proactive Zero Harm culture.
  • Directed $100M+ capital programs at Lennox & TRW, delivering $25M in savings, improving throughput 50%, and ensuring DOE/UL/ITAR compliance.
  • Co-authored and operationalized a PMBOK-aligned governance framework at TRW Automotive, adopted by 13 divisions; boosted milestone adherence 60% on high-risk programs.

Certifications And Recognition

  • PMP (PMI)
  • Six Sigma Black Belt
  • Lean Sensei (Shingijutsu)
  • VSM Trainer (LEI)
  • Risk Management (GWU)
  • PM Training (WCU)
  • Speaker – IISE & Productivity Inc. Conferences
  • Instructor – PMI PMP & Leadership, UVA Tech Center

Timeline

Commercial Division Operational Excellence Manager

LENNOX INTERNATIONAL
01.2024 - Current

Residential Division Sr. Program Manager – Capital & NPI Execution

LENNOX INTERNATIONAL
06.2022 - 12.2024

Senior Program Manager

ZF (formerly TRW Automotive)
01.2019 - 01.2021

Continuous Improvement Manager

ZF (formerly TRW Automotive)
01.2016 - 01.2018

Operational Excellence Manager

KOMATSU (JoyGlobal)
01.2010 - 01.2016

Sr. Manager, Global Program Management

TRW AUTOMOTIVE
01.2007 - 01.2009

MBA Coursework Complete - undefined

King University

BS - Industrial Engineering

University of Tennessee