NICHOLE WOOD
Marine on Saint Croix,MN
Summary
Accomplished Operations Leader with a proven track record in driving productivity and ensuring efficient task completion. Expertise in strategic planning, operational excellence, and team leadership fosters seamless business operations. Strong communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills contribute significantly to organizational growth and efficiency. Dedicated to promoting collaboration and spearheading continuous improvement initiatives for sustained success.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President of Operations
JAPS-OLSON
Saint Louis Park, MN
02.2024 - Current
- Boosted profitability and growth through strategic leadership.
- Optimized processes through proactive identification and implementation of performance metrics.
- Managed multimillion-dollar budgets and controlled costs to enhance profitability.
- Streamlined supply chain activities by managing sourcing, stock management, and delivery schedules.
- Promoted a culture of continuous improvement and performance.
- Directed technology integration projects to drive organizational efficiency.
- Ensured compliance with industry regulations and OSHA standards.
Director of Manufacturing Operations
THE AIRTEX GROUP
Minneapolis, MN
09.2023 - 01.2024
- Executed process enhancements, achieving a 10% decrease in customer complaints.
- Achieved substantial cost savings by spearheading initiatives focused on productive process enhancements.
- Realized $12K savings in under two months by implementing efficient quality protocols.
Director of Operations
RR DONNELLEY
Oakdale, MN
01.2022 - 09.2023
- Managed $75M P&L, overseeing budgets and fostering continuous improvement to drive growth and customer satisfaction
- Led a successful $5M project for a new 6-color RFID press, rewinder and encoders, resulting in streamlined operations and increased profitability
- Improved operational efficiencies & implemented cost control measures, surpassing annual EBITDA budget by 35%
- Led compliance efforts for OSHA, EPA, and cGMP, achieving zero safety incidents and preparing the facility for ISO 9001 certification
Director of Operations
CPI CARD GROUP
Roseville, MN
01.2019 - 01.2022
- Maximized production and personalization of credit, debit, gift, and reward cards, managing a $31M P&L while ensuring product consistency, quality, and speed, leading to outstanding customer service
- Achieved significant growth by expanding customer base and implementing 110 new customers and programs within three years, enhancing the facility's reputation in the payments market
- Transformed operations with 100 new employees, 5 equipment pieces, & 24/7 shifts, driving a 50% productivity increase
Trust and Safety Escalation Manager
ROVER.COM
Spokane, WA
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Led rapid expansion of multi-national teams in Seattle, Spokane, Berlin, London, and Barcelona, driving fraud detection and crisis management
- Established trauma/crisis training for CX and Trust & Safety teams, improving handling of escalated safety concerns by 20%
- Collaborated with legal and PR teams to develop crisis and escalation matrix, enhancing company's ability to handle high-impact crises
- Streamlined user deactivation protocols with automated quality controls, utilizing innovative social media tactics to improve platform safety and enhance customer satisfaction
Director of Manufacturing
PRINT CRAFT (A Taylor Corporation Company)
New Brighton, MN
01.2015 - 01.2018
- Directed plant operations and customer management for over 100 employees, focusing on efficiency, on-time delivery, quality, safety, and maintenance, while driving business growth and championing continuous improvement and Lean manufacturing
- Increased on-time delivery by 19%, reduced quality defects by 28%, and saved on temporary labor costs by applying Lean Manufacturing practices
- Streamlined coordination between departments, leading to on-time delivery of custom projects and requests while managing budgets and reducing costs
- Enhanced planning, scheduling, & expedited product turnaround by designing & implementing quality control processes for 18K custom orders monthly, leading 3 Kaizen events for Value Stream Mapping
Value Stream Manager
PENTAIR
St. Paul, MN
01.2011 - 01.2015
- Responsible for 71 staff, $77M revenue operation; utilized Lean to improve safety, quality, delivery, cost & cash; accurately forecasted financial performance
- Successfully launched 27 new products into 5 Value Streams, maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction
- Streamlined operations by implementing cross-training and scheduling matrix, increasing on-time delivery from 9% to 92%
- Utilized Value Stream Mapping and Continuous Flow Training to optimize the Hollow Fiber Value Stream, resulting in an 800 square-foot reduction in cell footprint and a $258,000 decrease in past-due orders within 30 days
Signal Officer
U.S. ARMY
01.2001 - 01.2011
- Demonstrated success and progressive advancement with increased responsibility, including Company Command, Operations Officer, Battalion Logistics Officer, and Platoon Leader
- Proven leadership and proficiency in communications and cross-functional training
- Management expertise in program administration, human resources, logistics, recruiting, people development, and training
Education
Master of Business Administration -
Webster University
St Louis, MOMaster of Arts - Management and Leadership
Webster University
St. Louis, MOBachelor of Arts - Communication Studies
University of Montana
Missoula, MTSkills
- Strategic Planning and Execution
- Cost Analysis and Savings
- Cross-Functional Leadership
- Leadership Development
- Process Improvements
- Organizational Development
- Capital Expenditure Management
- Business Management Expertise
- Data-Driven Performance Assessment
- Logistics Management
- Operational Efficiency Improvement
- Financial Control Development
- Strategic Growth Management
- Risk Management Expertise
Community Service
- Team Women MN: Member; Active in Mentorship Program; Leadership Conference Speaker
- Forest Lake Area Schools: Wavemakers - Treasurer; Boys Swim and Dive Team – Treasurer
- Junior Achievement: Classroom Instructor and BizTown Volunteer
- Pentair Volunteer: MS150 Bike Ride for Multiple Sclerosis
- Northwoods Humane Society: Volunteer
Accomplishments
- RRD – Greatest EBITDA Plant of the Year (2022), Safety First Plant Award (2022, 2023), Highest Productivity Plant Award (2022)
- CPI – Customer Impact Award (2019), Deal Team of the Year (2020), Plant of the Year (2019, 2020, 2021)
- Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, and Army Meritorious Unit Award
Advancedtraining
- RAINN – Understanding Trauma Responses and Basics of Crisis Intervention
- St. Catherine University - Building Financial Acumen for Women in Sales Workshop
- Rick Harris Lean Training Events - Value Stream Mapping (VSM), Creating Continuous Flow (CCF) and Making Material Flow (MMF), Managing for Daily Improvement (MDI)
- The Toyota Way Lean Manufacturing Course, Managing at Pentair (MAP)
- Training Within Industry – Job Instruction Training
- Signal Officer Basic Course, Crisis Management, Signal Captain Career Course, Company, CPR and First Aid, Commander’s Course, EO/EEO Senior Leaders Course, Composite Risk Management
Qualifications Summary
Experienced Operations and Plant Management leader with a strong track record in strategic leadership and effective team collaboration. Dedicated to enhancing team performance and aligning with company objectives through LEAN practices. Passionate about guiding teams in challenging situations and exhibiting robust cross-functional leadership. Effective communicator, with a knack for engaging diverse groups fostering collaboration and productivity. Career highlighted by outstanding leadership, consistent success, and surpassing organizational goals.
Timeline
Vice President of Operations
JAPS-OLSON
02.2024 - Current
Director of Manufacturing Operations
THE AIRTEX GROUP
09.2023 - 01.2024
Director of Operations
RR DONNELLEY
01.2022 - 09.2023
Director of Operations
CPI CARD GROUP
01.2019 - 01.2022
Trust and Safety Escalation Manager
ROVER.COM
01.2018 - 01.2019
Director of Manufacturing
PRINT CRAFT (A Taylor Corporation Company)
01.2015 - 01.2018
Value Stream Manager
PENTAIR
01.2011 - 01.2015
Signal Officer
U.S. ARMY
01.2001 - 01.2011
Master of Business Administration -
Webster University
Master of Arts - Management and Leadership
Webster University
Bachelor of Arts - Communication Studies
University of Montana
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