Nathan Ponder
Newnan,GA
Work Preference
Summary
Dynamic Operations Director with a proven track record at Engelman's Bakery LLC, driving a 40% increase in production capacity through strategic planning and transformational change management. Expert in P&L oversight and building top-performing teams, I excel in quality assurance and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Overview
1
1
Certification
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Operations Director
Engelman's Bakery LLC
Atlanta, GA
09.2023 - Current
- Oversaw daily operations of two bakery sites, managing production, staffing, scheduling, and customer service to ensure quality assurance.
- Led expansion initiatives, including site selection and layout planning, achieving 40% increase in production capacity.
- Implemented inventory management and cost control systems, cutting waste by 25% and boosting profit margins.
- Managed vendor relationships and negotiated contracts, decreasing raw ingredient costs by 15% while maintaining quality.
- Recruited and trained cross-functional team of over 20 staff, enhancing workplace culture and reducing turnover by 30%.
- Developed scalable processes by standardizing recipes and inventory controls to support growth.
- Spearheaded quality assurance programs to ensure product consistency and compliance with food safety standards.
- Collaborated with ownership to develop strategic plans for new product lines and enhance community engagement.
Operations Manager
JORDAN FOREST PRODUCTS, LLC
Atlanta, GA
01.2021 - Current
- Supervised 25 full-time employees and 200 hourly staff for market-leading log merchandiser.
- Managed day-to-day operations of two log processing mills, four wood drying kilns, and a planer mill in 24/6 environment.
- Coordinated and led planning and implementation of over $40 million in capital projects in FY22, enhancing operational capacity.
- Coordinated planning and implementation of over $40 million in capital projects during FY22.
- Implemented machine downtime control and waste reduction initiatives, contributing to cost savings.
- Automated processes to enhance staff efficiency and minimize labor expenses.
- Developed and implemented plant strategies to standardize operational systems, improving consistency across operations.
- Structured operations to promote consistency and improve overall plant performance.
Senior Director of Process Technology Specialist
BIMBO BAKERIES
Decatur, GA
01.2018 - 01.2021
- Directed product formulas, P&L, processes, capital projects, and quality control, ensuring consistent quality across 13 bakeries.
- Spearheaded troubleshooting of quality issues and customer complaints, resolving process standards to enhance cost control and reduce waste.
- Managed bakery KPIs to drive improvements in performance.
- Worked closely with cross-functional teams, including sales, marketing, and logistics, to align production schedules, market trends, and real-time customer requirements.
- Managed inventory levels, materials procurement, and worked closely with suppliers to ensure the timely availability of raw materials.
- Functioned as a reliable liaison with union representatives to address and resolve labor-related matters and uphold compliance with collective bargaining agreements.
Plant Manager
BIMBO BAKERIES
Decatur, GA
01.2017 - 01.2018
- Oversaw 25 FTEs and 230 hourly staff across three production lines in a 24/6, unionized manufacturing environment, managing and forecasting budgets to ensure operational efficiency.
- Reduced operational costs by 30% while maintaining product quality and customer service levels.
- Developed and implemented departmental strategies that enhanced revenue generation and recognized high-performing team members.
- Recognized by corporate leadership for coordinating and executing a successful plan to recruit talent from company bakeries in the U.S. and Mexico to assist with processes and KPIs in Decatur.
- Mentored staff to improve customer satisfaction through transparent communication and collaborative project development.
Plant Manager
BIMBO BAKERIES
Owensboro, KY
01.2015 - 01.2018
- Hired as a Plant Manager for the Owensboro, KY facility. Supervised 13 FTEs and 110+ hourly staff running two separate production lines in a 24/6 unionized operation.
- Increased productivity by 22% and reduced waste by 5% by implementing creative, attainable initiatives.
- Collaborated with the Plant Supervisor and Associates to embrace the opportunity to set and achieve monthly Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), resulting in increased productivity and reduced costs.
- Managed inventory of raw materials, ingredients, and finished products, ensuring alignment with customer demands.
- Facilitated negotiations with union leaders, achieving agreements that supported operational goals.
- Enforced safety protocols and maintained a safe working environment, prioritizing employee well-being.
Plant Manager
BIMBO BAKERIES
Roseville, MN
01.2016 - 01.2017
- Managed Roseville, MN facility with 21 FTEs, 210 hourly staff, and 4 unions, leading continuous improvement initiatives that enhanced operational efficiency.
- Reduced plant spending by 30%, increased productivity by 18%, reduced waste by 7.5%, and negotiated three separate union contracts.
- Created and utilized production metrics and KPIs to analyze performance, identify trends, and support data-driven decision-making.
- Monitored and enforced safety protocols, quality standards, and regulatory compliance to maintain a safe and efficient production environment.
- Hand-picked by the Vice President to onboard a new Human Resource Manager, Production Manager, and Maintenance Manager for the Roseville facility while Plant Manager of Owensboro.
Plant Manager
LEWIS BAKERIES
Evansville, IN
01.2000 - 01.2015
- Led day-to-day operations of a unionized, 24x6 production facility for one of the few remaining independent bakeries in the Midwest. Supervised 27 FTEs and 264 hourly staff, leading staff hiring, training, development, and performance management.
- Accountable for all aspects of production, product quality, and maintaining efficient operations with two separate production lines.
- Increased productivity and equipment reliability by 25% with the implementation of a new CPMS program.
- Streamlined production schedules and reduced staff by 24 to achieve annual savings of $230,000.
- Managed monthly budgets and P&L to ensure financial accuracy and operational efficiency.
- Established departmental budgets and led weekly meetings with leadership to reduce overall spending by 18% through effective cost control measures.
- Conceptualized, developed, and implemented comprehensive staff training to enhance individual skills and job satisfaction.
- Fostered a positive culture of collaboration and joint accountability.
- Negotiated complex Union contracts that benefit the company and staff.
Education
Bachelor of Science (BS) - Bakery Science and Management
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KSBaking Science and Technology -
AIB - The American Institute of Baking
Kansas City, MOResidential and Industrial Electrician - Residential and Industrial Wiring Certificate
Prosser Vocational School
New Albany, INSkills
- Unionized Workforce Leadership
- P&L
- Budgets
- Fiscal Accountability
- Transformational Change Management
- Employee and Food Safety Compliance
- Strategic Planning
- Tactical Execution
- Customer Service
- Operational Excellence
- Building & Leading Top-Performing Teams
- End-to-End Project & Program Management
- Inventory Management
- Quality Assurance
- Lean Manufacturing
- Continuous Improvement
Certification
- Residential and Industrial Wiring Certificate
- SQF/BRC Food Safety Certificate / PCQI & HACCP Certificate
- Environmental Pathogen Management Training
Timeline
Operations Director
Engelman's Bakery LLC
09.2023 - Current
Operations Manager
JORDAN FOREST PRODUCTS, LLC
01.2021 - Current
Senior Director of Process Technology Specialist
BIMBO BAKERIES
01.2018 - 01.2021
Plant Manager
BIMBO BAKERIES
01.2017 - 01.2018
Plant Manager
BIMBO BAKERIES
01.2016 - 01.2017
Plant Manager
BIMBO BAKERIES
01.2015 - 01.2018
Plant Manager
LEWIS BAKERIES
01.2000 - 01.2015
Bachelor of Science (BS) - Bakery Science and Management
Kansas State University
Baking Science and Technology -
AIB - The American Institute of Baking
Residential and Industrial Electrician - Residential and Industrial Wiring Certificate
Prosser Vocational School