Paul Underwood
Tuscumbia
Summary
A hardworking and reliable leader focused on going above and beyond to support the team and serve customers. Trained in Lean Manufacturing and Six-Sigma while offering top-notch Manufacturing capabilities. Strong focus on 3-leg approach to include Employee, Customer, and Financial Performance. Motivated to continue to learn and grow as an industry professional.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Plant Manager
Linamar
03.2021 - Current
- Supported the launch of a greenfield operation in Skopje, Macedonia with a focus on process and quality improvements.
- Using Lessons Learned from SKP to launch Muscle Shoals greenfield.
- Managed the integration of 16 automated cells orientated for single piece flow with 9 different integrators from across 5 different countries.
- Continued the support of SKP from problem solving to Operational improvements while launching the MUS facility from dirt in the floor to SOP in 13 months.
- Worked retroactively on optimizing plant layout to eliminate single point failure in order to prevent complete plant shutdowns.
- Reduced downtime for maintenance by establishing a proactive preventive maintenance program that is both manual and automated.
- Maintain TRIR of less than 1.0 since SOP.
- Streamlined supply chain operations, reducing lead times and improving inventory management.
- Lead cross-functional teams to encourage collaboration and improve communication across departments.
- Managed budgeting and resource allocation, ensuring optimal use of funds for operational efficiency.
- Implemented quality control measures to reduce defect rates and enhance product quality through a containment and counter-measure approach.
- Heavy focus on employee morale and through leadership training and motivational techniques.
- Collaborate with engineering team to design new machinery, resulting in increased production capacity.
- Coordinating plant expansion of 50,000 sq/ft with upgrades to accommodate increased demand while minimizing disruption to ongoing operations.
- Negotiated favorable contracts with suppliers, securing cost savings on raw materials without sacrificing quality.
DIRECTOR OF MANUFACTURING AND LEAN TRANSFORMATION
Freightcar America
06.2014 - 02.2021
- Hired, trained, and developed more than 1500 employees over the 7 year period
- Achieved our best TRIR in history of the company in 2017 only to beat it further in 2018 and furthermore in 2019 with an actual TRIR of .2 vs an industry standard of 4.0
- Lead a team of 6 Managers, 15 supervisors, 42 leads, and 415 hourly employees across multiple shifts
- Built and Integrated a manpower planning tool in order to plan production and staff appropriately
- Created and Implemented a Visual Management process to measure/improve KPI's by Value Streams and Departments
- Utilizing Visual Management process, improved schedule attainment by 27%, OT by 6%, and Productivity by 12%
- Created a 1 day and 4 day lean training program to get the basic principles of Lean Manufacturing to the hourly workforce so they understand 'why'
- Created an employee developmental tool in order to properly assess skill set and capability
- Later turned in to a biannual evaluation tool in order to identify opportunities for improvement
- Standardized work-cells to support single piece flow in order to implement TAKT timers and Line Balancing tools to maintain schedule.
- Increased production efficiency by implementing lean manufacturing principles and Line Balancing Tools
PARTNER/OPERATOR
Performance Werks Racing
02.2006 - 09.2014
- Developed industry leading products with Wiseco Performance, Manley Performance, and Diablosport
- Built record breaking engines in 6 different classes and held those records from 2007-2012
- Built the first ever 1500hp Gen 3 Hemi
- Built the first ever 8 second Gen 3 Hemi equipped vehicle
- Built successful business, growing business 70% within two years
- Multiple mentions in national magazines.
GENERAL MANAGER
Krispy Kreme
05.1996 - 02.2006
- Reversed a poor performing store by revising systems, processes, training programs, and personnel in Fort Wayne, IN
- Managed business operations, working closely with senior management to develop KPIs, build operating dashboards, and monitor performance
- Prepared operating and capital budgets for division, reviewed expenditures and took corrective action as needed
- Opened 13 new stores as 1 of 7 trainers sent to train/develop leadership team before and during grand opening
- Managed 11 different stores in 8 different states
- Some were new and some were struggling turn-around projects.
Education
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION -
University of Memphis
Memphis, TNSCIENCE OF BAKING - FOUNDATIONS -
AIB International
Manhattan, KS12.2002
Skills
- Complex Problem Solving
- Team Work
- Critical Thinking
- People Management and Development
- Decision Making
- Lean Manufacturing Principles
- Resource Coordination
- Team Building and Development
- Six Sigma Expertise
- Cost Controls
- Production Scheduling
- Waste Reduction
Timeline
Plant Manager
Linamar
03.2021 - Current
DIRECTOR OF MANUFACTURING AND LEAN TRANSFORMATION
Freightcar America
06.2014 - 02.2021
PARTNER/OPERATOR
Performance Werks Racing
02.2006 - 09.2014
GENERAL MANAGER
Krispy Kreme
05.1996 - 02.2006
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION -
University of Memphis
SCIENCE OF BAKING - FOUNDATIONS -
AIB International
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