Work Preference

Summary

Overview

Work History

Education

Skills

Accomplishments

Certification

Timeline

KIRK PITT

Operations Manager

Detroit,MI

Work Preference

Desired Job Title

Director of OperationsSuperintendent (Manufacturing Leader)Plant ManagerProduction Manager

Work Type

Full TimePart TimeContract WorkGig WorkConsultingVolunteerSeasonal Work

Location Preference

On-SiteRemote

Location: Detroit, MI

Open to relocation: Yes

Salary Range

110000/yr - 200000/yr

Important To Me

Career advancementWork-life balanceCompany CulturePaid time offHealthcare benefitsPersonal development programsPaid sick leave401k matchStock Options / Equity / Profit SharingTeam Building / Company Retreats

Summary

Results-driven Director of Operations with 30 years of hands-on technical and operational leadership experience in custom fabrication and advanced manufacturing. Proven track record of spearheading automation initiatives, driving cross-functional team execution, and optimizing core operational metrics (OEE, throughput, and downtime). Expert in standardizing operational workflows through SOP creation, implementing 5S workplace organization, and embedding Lean manufacturing methodologies across multi-site manufacturing environments.

Overview

Certification

years of professional experience

Work History

Director of Operations

MOPEC GROUP

Madison Heights, MI

01.2022 - 01.2026

Automation & Modernization: Sourced, acquired, and integrated automated manufacturing equipment, driving operational efficiency and transitioning legacy manual assembly workflows toward modern automated capabilities.
M&A Operational Integration: Collaborated with cross-functional executive leadership to execute the seamless operational merger and strategy alignment of sister company MORTECH Manufacturing (California).
Executive Leadership & Strategy: Oversaw end-to-end manufacturing operations, aligning daily production output with organizational revenue, quality, and safety targets.
Lean Manufacturing & Continuous Improvement: Spearheaded facility-wide Lean operations and 5S standards, driving continuous improvement across primary operational metrics including Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), scrap reduction, line uptime, and unit throughput.
Resource & Budget Allocation: Managed multi-departmental budgets, labor scheduling, capacity planning, and capital expenditures across assembly and fabrication bays.
Fostered a culture of continuous improvement through training and mentorship programs.
Observed each employee's individual strengths and initiated mentoring program to improve areas of weakness.

Superintendent (Manufacturing Leader)

MOPEC GROUP

Madison Heights, MI

01.2020 - 01.2022

Plant Floor Operations: Directed day-to-day shop floor execution, coordinating supervisors, leads, and assembly technicians to ensure on-time delivery across complex product lines.
Process Optimization & SOP Creation: Authored comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and standardized work instructions to eliminate assembly bottlenecks, reduce cycle times, and improve process repeatability.
5S & Safety Compliance: Enforced strict 5S workplace organization principles alongside OSHA and industry safety standards, drastically reducing safety incidents and ensuring audit readiness.
Oversaw daily operations to ensure compliance with safety and quality standards.
Implemented strategic initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and reduce costs.

Shop Supervisor

MOPEC GROUP

01.2018 - 01.2020

Team Management & Mentorship: Supervised a team of welders, fabricators, and assemblers; conducted performance reviews, cross-training, and technical skill development.
Production Scheduling: Managed workflow distribution across custom fabrication bays to ensure project schedules and quality benchmarks were met.
Quality Assurance: Instituted root-cause analysis procedures for non-conforming parts, leveraging Lean tools to reduce rework percentages and product defects.

Team Lead

MOPEC GROUP

Madison Heights, MI

01.2016 - 01.2018

Daily Workflow Coordination: Served as the liaison between management and shop floor personnel, assigning daily work orders and monitoring real-time line throughput.
Technical Guidance: Provided hands-on technical troubleshooting for complex welding and fabrication challenges on active assembly lines.
Led team in executing operational strategies, enhancing workflow efficiency across multiple projects.
Mentored junior staff, fostering skill development and promoting a collaborative work environment.
Analyzed operational metrics to identify improvement areas, driving strategic decision-making within the team.
Enhanced overall team performance by providing regular coaching, feedback, and skill development opportunities.
Influenced positive change within the organization through strategic thinking, innovation, problem-solving abilities, and consistent leadership style.
Managed schedules, accepted time off requests and found coverage for short shifts.

Welder / Fabricator

MOPEC GROUP

Madison Heights, MI

01.2013 - 01.2016

Custom Fabrication: Performed high-precision MIG, TIG, and ARC welding on complex stainless steel and structural assemblies following detailed engineering schematics.
Material Preparation: Operated plasma cutters, brake presses, and precision grinding tools to prepare raw metals to tight tolerances.
Fabricated metal components using MIG and TIG welding techniques to ensure structural integrity.
Interpreted technical drawings and blueprints to produce precise fabrications according to specifications.

Welder /Welding Fabricator

AVL

Ann Arbor, MI

01.2007 - 01.2011

Equipment Maintenance & Repair: Conducted preventive maintenance, structural repairs, and custom emergency fabrication on industrial machinery and plant infrastructure.
Cross-Functional Support: Partnered with maintenance engineers to modify existing equipment frames, jigs, and fixtures to improve uptime and machine safety.
Operated welding equipment to fabricate and assemble metal components.
Ensured adherence to safety protocols during all welding operations.

Welder / Fabricator

Richard Bennett and Associates

Detroit, MI

01.1996 - 01.2007

Multi-Process Welding Mastery: Executed expert-level MIG, TIG, Flux Core, ARC, and Gas welding across various material gauges and alloy types.
Precision Cutting & Fitting: Utilized plasma cutters, oxy-fuel torches, and layout tools to cut, shape, and fit structural components.
Blueprint Reading: Interpreted engineering drawings, schematics, and welding symbols to independently fabricate custom components.
Assisted in training new solderers on soldering procedures.
Led projects from conception through completion, ensuring timely delivery while maintaining high-quality standards in output.

Education

Welding - Leadership Development Program in Manufacturing

John Donaldson Technical Institute

Port Of Spain

08.2026

Skills

Operations & Operational Excellence: Strategic Planning, Budgeting, Resource Allocation, Capacity Planning, M&A Operations Integration, SOP Creation & Standardized Work

Lean & Continuous Improvement: Lean Manufacturing, 5S Methodology, Automation Integration, OEE Optimization, Process Optimization, Waste Reduction

Technical Skills: MIG, TIG, ARC, Gas, & Flux Core Welding, Plasma Cutting, Blueprint Reading, Stainless Steel Fabrication

Business management

Strategic planning and execution

Strategic planning

Operations oversight

Operational efficiency

Process improvement

Leadership training

Cost control

Workforce planning

Performance analysis

Schedule oversight

Capital spending

Resource allocation

Financial controls implementation

Operations management

Teamwork and collaboration

Team leadership

Decision-making

Staff management

KPI tracking

Employee relations

Staff development

Policy development and enforcement

Scheduling

Revenue growth

Cost reduction

Accomplishments

Supervised team of Number staff members.
Achieved Result by completing Task with accuracy and efficiency.
Achieved Result through effectively helping with Task.

Certification

Certificate in Leadership Development Program in Manufacturing

Timeline

Director of Operations

MOPEC GROUP

01.2022 - 01.2026

Superintendent (Manufacturing Leader)

MOPEC GROUP

01.2020 - 01.2022

Shop Supervisor

MOPEC GROUP

01.2018 - 01.2020

Team Lead

MOPEC GROUP

01.2016 - 01.2018

Welder / Fabricator

MOPEC GROUP

01.2013 - 01.2016

Welder /Welding Fabricator

AVL

01.2007 - 01.2011

Welder / Fabricator

Richard Bennett and Associates

01.1996 - 01.2007

Welding - Leadership Development Program in Manufacturing

John Donaldson Technical Institute