Randy Van Natta
Herriman
Summary
Senior manufacturing leader with over 25 years of experience managing multi-department plants across industrial, mining, and manufacturing sectors. Expertise in transforming operations through the strategic application of Lean and Kaizen methodologies, consistently achieving enhanced safety performance, reduced scrap and defects, and increased throughput. Renowned for a hands-on approach as Plant Manager, stabilizing complex operations while leading large teams to drive measurable improvements in cost efficiency, product quality, and timely delivery. Committed to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence aligned with organizational goals.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Operations Manager
Cornerstone Building Brands
01.2024 - 01.2025
- Directed overall operations for a 60-employee manufacturing facility spanning six departments, ensuring alignment with production targets and quality standards.
- Led daily production execution, accountability meetings, and cross-functional problem-solving to meet internal and external customer demand.
- Managed inventory planning and material flow to support uninterrupted production.
- Partnered with leadership on hiring, talent development, and long-term operational improvement initiatives.
- Key Achievements:
- Reduced short shipments by 30% year-over-year by redesigning dock audit and loading verification processes.
- Cut manufacturing claims by 29.6% year-over-year through enhanced quality documentation and load photo validation.
- Drove scrap reduction from 11.7% (August) to 3.4% (November), a 70.9% reduction, through twice-weekly Kaizen reviews and real-time issue resolution during production system changes.
- Led installation of a $3.5M CZ Purlin roll-forming machine to expand capacity and automation.
- Upgraded U-Deck production line by installing new tooling and light curtain safety systems.
Blast Foreman
Rio Tinto (Kennecott)
01.2022 - 01.2024
- Led multiple blasting teams with full accountability for safety, planning, and execution in active mining operations.
- Planned and loaded blast patterns, including berm heights, signage, segregation, and blast-distance controls.
- Managed blast exclusion zones up to 1,500 feet, ensuring full clearance through blocker placement and area verification.
- Executed formal blast notification protocols (1-hour, 30-minute, and 10-minute warnings) prior to final blast sequence.
- Prepared post-blast reports and maintained strict compliance with safety and regulatory requirements.
Operations Manager
Tru-Cut LLC
01.2018 - 01.2021
- Directed end-to-end operations for a 23-employee facility across five departments, ensuring alignment with production, quality, and delivery targets.
- Led daily operations, production meetings, staffing decisions, and inventory planning.
- Developed and executed long-term operational improvement initiatives.
- Key Achievements:
- Implemented Lean and 5S practices facility-wide, improving on-time shipments from 65% to 96%.
- Increased production efficiency by 40% and labor utilization by 45% through optimized workflows and labor controls.
- Reduced lead times from 7–8 days to 2–3 days.
- Increased output by 25% with reduced staffing through equipment investment and automation.
- Reduced late orders from an average of 79 to 5.
- Identified budget improvement opportunities that reduced expenses and increased profitability.
Plant Manager
Praxair
01.2016 - 01.2018
- Managed daily plant operations with responsibility for two direct reports and 24 employees.
- Ensured effective utilization of personnel, equipment, and materials while meeting customer demand.
- Implemented safety, quality, reliability, and compliance programs across the facility.
- Key Achievements:
- Developed and executed strategic plans that improved production efficiency, quality, and labor utilization.
- Reduced safety incidents through consistent enforcement of health and safety standards.
- Identified and eliminated inefficiencies through data-driven continuous improvement.
- Strengthened equipment reliability through preventive maintenance and inspections.
Operations Manager – Indirect Sales Team
Weir Slurry Group, Inc. (Weir Minerals)
01.2007 - 01.2016
- Led and developed teams of 40+ production employees across multiple operations.
- Built production schedules to meet budget, quality, and delivery requirements.
- Oversaw equipment maintenance, material replenishment systems, quality standards, and performance metrics.
- Key Achievements:
- Improved production efficiency by 40% and utilization by 45% through labor planning and process control.
- Reduced late orders from 240 to 25 and shortened late-cycle time by two weeks.
- Increased on-time shipments from 50% to 92% after consolidating multiple facilities into one.
- Delivered EHS, 5S, and onboarding training for new employees.
Production Manager
KraftMaid Cabinetry
01.2006 - 01.2007
- Oversaw all plant operations including safety, quality, material control, compliance, and production scheduling.
- Key Achievements:
- Designed and implemented KPIs for purchasing, quality, training, and 5S.
- Supported implementation of new machinery and production processes to increase throughput.
- Ensured consistent product quality through standardized work audits.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Management
Utah Valley State College
Orem, UTSkills
- Operational efficiency management
- Lean Manufacturing & 5S
- Production Scheduling & Capacity Planning
- Quality Assurance / Quality Control
- EHS & Regulatory Compliance (OSHA, HAZWOPER)
- Continuous Improvement & Process Optimization
- Inventory Control & Warehousing Logistics
- Budgeting, Forecasting & Cost Control
- Equipment Reliability & Preventive Maintenance
- Team Leadership, Hiring & Development
Certification
- Lean Six Sigma (Certified)
- OSHA 8-Hour Supervisor Training
- OSHA 40-Hour HAZWOPER Certification
- OSHA 40-Hour HAZWOPER Refresher
- KraftMaid Cabinetry – 6-Week Management Training
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Production Manager — Mity-Lite
- Crew Leader — Seven Trees
- Production Manager — Geneva Steel
Languages
English
Full Professional
Timeline
Operations Manager
Cornerstone Building Brands
01.2024 - 01.2025
Blast Foreman
Rio Tinto (Kennecott)
01.2022 - 01.2024
Operations Manager
Tru-Cut LLC
01.2018 - 01.2021
Plant Manager
Praxair
01.2016 - 01.2018
Operations Manager – Indirect Sales Team
Weir Slurry Group, Inc. (Weir Minerals)
01.2007 - 01.2016
Production Manager
KraftMaid Cabinetry
01.2006 - 01.2007
Bachelor of Science - Business Management
Utah Valley State College