Lawrence McSwiney
Union,KY
Summary
A Results-driven Continuous Improvement Manger with extensive experience driving operations excellence, teaching, coaching and implementing Lean Manufacturing principles. Experienced in Lean Six Sigma methodologies and in using data analysis to identify root causes and implementing targeted solutions.
Continuous improvement professional prepared for optimizing processes and driving efficiency. Skilled in Lean Six Sigma, problem-solving, and data analysis. Strong focus on team collaboration and achieving operational goals. Known for adaptability, reliability, and delivering impactful results.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Continuous Improvement Manager
Graham Packaging Company
Florence, Kentucky
05.2022 - Current
- Leadership development and training of team members at all levels in strategic and tactical problem solving using the following tools: 5 Why, Causal Maps, A3, DMAIC process and Tier I,II,III methodology. An example of this was resolving customer complaints over collapsed pallets due to product shifting during shipping. The root cause was traced down using the above-mentioned tools and found to be an incorrect parameter list loaded into a wrapping station for that line.
- Facilitator of LEAN / 6-Sigm practices on production floor gathering data through interactive collaborations with front line operators resulting in prioritized corrective actions to increase MOEE, yield and reduce waste in various forms (8). An example of this is the preform inventory loss variance correction project that netted $70K in savings and internal customer deliverables. Cycle count inventory levels improved which yielded less time required for material inventories.
- Planner and scheduler of complex production line changeovers for RCO (rapid change-over) program driving cost savings tied to labor utilization and production downtime. This resulted in net savings over two years of $52K.
- Internal company site performance audit score increased by 50% for the CI elements. These are noted as: Problem solving, Daily management, Material handling/yield improvement, Kaizen, Visual factory, Rapid changeover, Layered audits, A3/OGSM-G5
- Engaged team members for plantwide programs focused on safety, environment and quality. Examples of this are the daily GEMBA activities, safety walks throughout the plant with other managers and assisting with completing projects for EH&S manager as well as audit prep for the quality manager (BSI).
Continuous Improvement Specialist
Firestone Building Products Company
Florence, Kentucky
11.2017 - 05.2022
- Checked and evaluated quality, performance and quality metrics and reported on critical issues.
- Developed and delivered high-quality employee training program to help company strengthen teammate capabilities.
- Developed team communications and information for KPI review meetings.
- Managed quality assurance program, including ISO 9001-2015 internal audits.
- Developed and implemented Operations and Maintenance Work Standards, Standard of Work and Conspicuous Standards.
- Using Lean Tools, 5 Whys and Fishbone, Root Cause Analysis (RCA) to increase machine reliability, Performance and Quality KPI.
- Developed Short term / Long term board used to quickly resolve downtime opportunities.
- Member of Safety / 5S Gemba team
- Lead Kaizen team that focused on downtime improvement on Quad Stacker system.
- Analyzed KPI data using Minitab to create top 3 downtime issues across production line.
Production Supervisor
Firestone Building Products LLC
Florence, KY
03.2017 - 11.2017
- Maintained clean and well-organized production areas to avoid violations or unnecessary work delays due to hazards or inefficient layouts.
- Minimized resource and time losses by addressing employee or production issues directly and implementing timely solutions.
- Collaborated with internal teams to streamline operations across materials handling, production and shipping.
- Evaluated employee skills and knowledge regularly, providing hands-on training and mentoring to individuals with lagging skills.
- Established clear priorities and production quality standards.
- Prepared in advance for and addressed production problems, material deficits, equipment failures and unavoidable delays.
- Compiled daily production equipment status reports, detailing parts produced, downtime duration and potential quality concerns.
Quality Assurance Supervisor
CR Brands Inc.
Ludlow, KY
03.2013 - 03.2017
- Oversaw and assisted six auditors in collections of production data, basic statistical analyses and reporting.
- Oversaw training, document control, reporting systems and customer 3rd party auditors.
- Addressed daily quality opportunities using RCA tools.
- Managed product specification changes.
- Created and managed non-conforming material, customer complaints using a CPAR system.
- Managed CR Brand QMS
- Developed Safety Job Operating Procedures for Quality and Production departments.
- Collaborating with Sales, R&D, Engineering and Production managed new product development.
- Using Stage Gate process executed several successful product launches.
Business Owner
Tri-State Digital LLC
Covington, KY
10.2011 - 03.2013
- Content Management design and development
- E-Commerce design and development
- PC repair and troubleshooting
- Designed and developed custom Mobile applications
- Built custom SQL database applications
Quality Improvement Specialist
Aristech Acrylics LLC
Florence, KY
07.2006 - 10.2011
- Developed and instructed management team lean tools classes
- Created Value Stream maps and FEMA for Reactor Room operations with cross functional teams.
- Lean - Six Sigma Black Belt Project leader and Green Belt mentor. Experience in defect and downtime reduction.
- Quality Customer Action team member
- Developed and implemented 5S program and Steering Committee
- BI Tools (Qlikview) Developer for all departments
Education
Microsoft Power Business Desktop for Business Intelligence – Power BI, Python Bootcamp
Udemy Business – Graham Packaging
12.2025
High School Diploma - undefined
Holmes High School
Covington, KY05.1983
Skills
- Data Analytics
- Database Design / BI Tools
- Extensive PC Experience
- SOP optimization
- Team building
- Process improvement
- MS Office & Software Exp
- Problem – Solving
- Kaizen Facilitator
- Lean Six Sigma Black Belt
- 5S methodology
- Quality management systems
- Visual management
- Value stream mapping
- Critical thinking
- Team collaboration
Military Service
- US Marine Corps – 1983- 1987
- US Air Force Reserves – 1988- 1993
Additional Information
American Legion Post 203 - Commander, June 2019 – June 2022. Conducted a comprehensive financial audit of all post accounts. Developed 5-year financial plan. This plan after 4 years was able to pass on to the incoming Post Administration, $140,000.00 in combined general accounts for the post. Post renovations totaling $75,000. Local, regional and national donations totaling $100,000. Development of a local baseball sponsorship for low-income kids. Post revenues were used to purchase uniforms, equipment and fees for all players. Which earned the Post, 3 league title championships. Donated funds and supported the design and construction of The Covington Vietnam Fallen Memorial.
Timeline
Continuous Improvement Manager
Graham Packaging Company
05.2022 - Current
Continuous Improvement Specialist
Firestone Building Products Company
11.2017 - 05.2022
Production Supervisor
Firestone Building Products LLC
03.2017 - 11.2017
Quality Assurance Supervisor
CR Brands Inc.
03.2013 - 03.2017
Business Owner
Tri-State Digital LLC
10.2011 - 03.2013
Quality Improvement Specialist
Aristech Acrylics LLC
07.2006 - 10.2011
High School Diploma - undefined
Holmes High School
Microsoft Power Business Desktop for Business Intelligence – Power BI, Python Bootcamp
Udemy Business – Graham Packaging