Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Certification
Work Preference
Timeline
Generic
Michael Upshaw
Open To Work

Michael Upshaw

Tyrone,GA

Summary

Transformational senior leader with 15+ years of experience bridging continuous improvement, people analytics, and employee experience to optimize organizational performance and engagement. Expert at architecting enterprise-wide programs that integrate Lean Six Sigma methodologies with workforce analytics to improve retention, engagement, safety, and productivity. Recognized for measurable results, including a 30% improvement in engagement survey scores, a 15% reduction in turnover, over $58K in verified savings, and a 33% improvement in throughput across global operations. Adept at partnering with executives, HR leaders, and cross-functional stakeholders to align people, processes, and performance strategies in complex, high-growth environments.

Overview

20
20
years of professional experience
4
4

Certifications

Work History

Senior Continuous Improvement Leader & Culture Champion

Walmart
Atlanta
01.2022 - Current
  • Designed and scaled Walmart’s Culture & Engagement learning forum, evolving it from 20 participants to an enterprise program with over 100 leaders across 40 distribution and fulfillment centers.
  • Created learning frameworks, onboarding programs, and recognition strategies that improved retention by 15%, increased engagement scores by 30%, and accelerated employee ramp-up.
  • Partnered with HR, Finance, and IT to integrate learning platforms, KPIs, and workforce analytics into business reviews and leadership decision-making.
  • Led change management for the adoption of a labor management system, reducing OSHA recordables, increasing productivity by 18%, and decreasing reliance on temporary labor by 25%.
  • Directed global reporting processes and employee survey analytics, translating data insights into workforce strategy.
  • Coordinated cross-functional learning initiatives with HR, talent management, and community partnerships to enhance employee development.
  • Managed stakeholder engagement across business units, ensuring alignment of learning strategy, culture transformation, and employee experience.
  • Drove cultural change towards a mindset of ongoing improvement and innovation.
  • Orchestrated enterprise-wide CI initiatives for Walmart’s $100B+ e-commerce and distribution network, directly influencing performance across 40 distribution and fulfillment centers, impacting 12,000+ associates.
  • Spearheaded CSR partnerships (Susan G. Komen, Red Cross, children’s hospitals, and Henry County BOE) enhancing Walmart’s employer brand.
  • Managed development and implementation of lean and continuous improvement manufacturing initiatives across production environment.
  • Teamed with disciplinary leaders on determining annual operational targets and outlining needed quality improvements.

Business Improvement Manager (Frito-Lay Network)

Kenco Group
Atlanta
01.2021 - 01.2022
  • Directed implementation of Kenco’s Operating System (KOS) across client operations, embedding learning strategies, and performance dashboards.
  • Collaborated with HR and IT to design training programs, and enable leaders to leverage workforce analytics for coaching and capability building.
  • Facilitated the 'Safety Starts with Me' campaign, embedding adult learning principles, and driving reductions in safety incidents.
  • Consulted with senior leaders to integrate organizational consulting and Lean leadership principles into workforce engagement strategies.

Continuous Improvement Leader

Kenco Group
Atlanta
01.2016 - 01.2021
  • Spearheaded multi-site continuous improvement and learning initiatives, delivering over $58K in verified savings and a 33% throughput improvement.
  • Designed associate learning paths, KPI-based coaching frameworks, and onboarding programs that improved morale and workforce performance.
  • Selected for Kenco’s Leadership Development Program (top 10% of leaders), strengthening skills in strategic agility, talent development, and communication.
  • Established employee engagement programs, feedback loops, and recognition campaigns that reinforced organizational culture and learning adoption.
  • Applied instructional design and change management methods to deliver enterprise workforce development solutions.

Business Process Manager

Conmed
Lithia Springs
01.2012 - 01.2016
  • Designed and managed business process improvement and training programs, applying Lean Six Sigma and learning frameworks to improve throughput and quality.
  • Conducted workforce skill assessments, and authored training programs aligned to employee development and succession planning.
  • Facilitated Kaizen workshops that combined continuous improvement and adult learning principles to increase associate ownership.
  • Implemented KPIs and reporting systems to evaluate training outcomes and workforce engagement.

Quality Manager

WEBTEC Converting
Knoxville
01.2011 - 01.2012
  • Supervised inspectors and production teams, designing SOPs and training programs to enhance compliance and employee learning.
  • Increased associate engagement in quality ownership through structured training and recognition frameworks.
  • Developed and tracked KPIs to measure progress and align initiatives with strategic goals.
  • Conducted root cause analyses, aligning corrective actions with business outcomes.

Quality Assurance Specialist (Contract)

MillenniTEK
Knoxville
01.2010 - 01.2011
  • Conducted audits, training, and corrective action planning to ensure compliance with OSHA, GMP, and GLP standards.
  • Delivered hands-on employee training to improve consistency, accountability, and knowledge retention.
  • Developed testing protocols to identify defects in software applications.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to enhance product quality standards.

Quality Control Technician

Advanced Composites
Nashville
01.2008 - 01.2010
  • Applied statistical analysis to reduce defects, and trained QC staff in monitoring systems and continuous improvement methods.
  • Designed reporting frameworks that tracked learning outcomes and employee accountability.
  • Conducted thorough inspections of composite materials for quality assurance.

Warehouse Shipping/Receiving Lead

Ferguson Enterprises
Nashville
01.2006 - 01.2008
  • Directed daily warehouse operations, training and guiding staff to ensure accuracy, engagement, and efficiency.
  • Developed SOPs that improved service, accountability, and employee onboarding consistency.
  • Trained and mentored team members on safety and operational procedures.
  • Coordinated receiving operations for efficient inventory management and stock organization.

Education

Bachelor of Science - Transportation & Logistics Management (Reverse Logistics)

American Military University
Charles Town, WV
02-2015

Associate of Science - Accounting

American Military University
Charles Town, WV
05-2012

Some College (No Degree) - Business Management

Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, TN

Skills

  • Learning Strategy
  • Organizational Consulting
  • Change Management
  • Talent Development
  • Leadership Training
  • Learning Management Systems (LMS)
  • Enablement
  • Employee Engagement
  • People Analytics
  • Continuous Improvement
  • Lean Six Sigma
  • Global Reporting
  • KPI Development
  • Cross-Functional Stakeholder Collaboration
  • Employee engagement
  • Culture transformation
  • Customer relationship management
  • Operational excellence strategies

Affiliations

  • Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
  • NAACP
  • American Society for Quality (ASQ)
  • American Society of Transportation & Logistics (AST&L)

Certification

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt

50 Hour training course & Exam completed

Onsite project finalized with verified cost savings of $58,000

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt

80 Hour training course & Exam completed

Onsite project - Pending Completion of Control Phase Improvement Sustainment

AST&L Professional Designation In Logistics and Supply Chain Management (PLS) Certification

Professional Scrum Master Certification (PSM I)

Work Preference

Work Type

Full Time

Location Preference

RemoteHybridOn-Site

Timeline

Senior Continuous Improvement Leader & Culture Champion

Walmart
01.2022 - Current

Business Improvement Manager (Frito-Lay Network)

Kenco Group
01.2021 - 01.2022

Continuous Improvement Leader

Kenco Group
01.2016 - 01.2021

Business Process Manager

Conmed
01.2012 - 01.2016

Quality Manager

WEBTEC Converting
01.2011 - 01.2012

Quality Assurance Specialist (Contract)

MillenniTEK
01.2010 - 01.2011

Quality Control Technician

Advanced Composites
01.2008 - 01.2010

Warehouse Shipping/Receiving Lead

Ferguson Enterprises
01.2006 - 01.2008

Bachelor of Science - Transportation & Logistics Management (Reverse Logistics)

American Military University

Associate of Science - Accounting

American Military University

Some College (No Degree) - Business Management

Middle Tennessee State University

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