Work Preference
Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
GeneralManager
Open To Work

Rich Phillips

Business Analyst, Strategic Planning, Operations Management
Leander,TX

Work Preference

Job Search Status

Open to work
Desired start date: Immediately

Desired Job Title

Chief Financial OfficerGeneral ManagerManager, Production Planning and ControlOwner & Chief Executive OfficerCEO/Owner/Operator

Work Type

Full Time

Location Preference

Hybrid
Location: Leander, TX, US
Open to relocation: Yes

Salary Range

131000/yr - 200000/yr

Important To Me

Work-life balanceWork from home optionCompany Culture

Summary

With a lifelong focus on Manufacturing Processes, Methods and State of the Art Technology, Phillips is a proven and accomplished owner/operator with a portfolio of success managing, directing, and optimizing 24/7 state-of-the-art medical device contract manufacturing company. Drive ERP system and manufacturing technology integrations, quality enhancements, performance turnarounds, profit optimization, and cost-control initiatives. Analyze trends and needs to assess competitive strengths and vulnerabilities. Anticipate the implications and consequences of market trends and economic situations. Drive transformational change and lead execution of strategic plans. Optimize staff performance through culture of collaboration and accountability for results. Sharp negotiator and polished public speaker. Finely honed decision-making and analytical skills.

Diligent Leader with solid background in managing daily operations and driving team performance. Successfully led various projects, ensuring seamless execution and improved operational efficiency. Demonstrated strategic planning and effective communication skills.

Overview

52
52
years of professional experience

Work History

Chief Financial Officer

LaRue Tactical
Leander, TX
09.2025 - 04.2026
  • Led financial planning and analysis to support strategic business initiatives.
  • Directed budgeting processes, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and priorities.
  • Implemented cost-control measures that enhanced operational efficiency and profitability.
  • Oversaw cash flow management, optimizing liquidity for ongoing operations and investments.
  • Developed and monitored key performance indicators to drive financial performance improvements.
  • Collaborated with executive team to inform strategic decision-making through financial insights.

General Manager

LaRue Tactical
Leander, TX
06.2022 - 09.2025
  • Originally hired to develop and implement the company’s Production Planning & Control Department, my duties were quickly expanded when the owner of LaRue recognized my expertise in the financial aspects of the business. With that I was promoted to General Manager while still retaining my Production Control responsibilities.
  • Relying on data driven financial analysis I was able to streamline product offerings, eliminate low volume and low margin products, adjust pricing where needed and instantly and substantially improve P&L and Balance Sheet metrics.
  • Additionally, I was the primary contact and negotiator in an unsolicited outside parties’ efforts to buy the business. Negotiated a very lucrative payday for the owner but in the end the owner was not agreeable to the terms of his continued employment with the buyer and the deal was never executed.
  • Transitioned the commercial side of the business from website-based sales model to Distributor model realizing that Distributors are much better at marketing and sales than we were with our web-based sales model.
  • Data driven financial analysis and strategic planning with full P&L responsibilities and the primary contact and company representative with our banking partner.
  • With annual sales between $25-30M, 150 employees at the highest point and 130 +/- CNC machine tools and 100k sq.ft of production area spread over two sites, LaRue Tactical is a manufacturer of tactical firearms and firearm mounting systems with both commercial and military customer bases.

Manager, Production Planning and Control

LaRue Tactical
Leander, TX
03.2022 - 02.2023
  • Developed and implemented operational strategies to enhance workflow efficiency.
  • Led cross-functional teams to drive continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Mentored junior staff, fostering skill development and performance excellence.
  • Analyzed performance metrics to identify areas for process enhancement.
  • Reduced Backorders from $15M to $2M in less than 12 Months.

Owner & Chief Executive Officer

Centex Machining, Inc.
Round Rock, TX
01.1992 - 01.2019
  • Served in strategic leadership role to operate this 24/7 world-class contract manufacturer, with $16M in capital asset, 75-100 employees, and $12-15M in annual revenues. Secured FDA and ISO 13485 certifications for an innovative, state-of-the-art facility. Directed key operating and commercial initiatives that realized long-term growth and profitability, with P&L and capital expenditure (CAPEX) accountability. Established yearly strategy and monitored performance against expectations. Trained, mentored, and coached an executive team of human resources, customer support, quality, operations, and finance leaders. Fostered key relationships with senior executives, clients, vendors, and peers to identify business needs and advise on the financial implications of business activities. Developed short- and long-term strategic operational objectives and provided data-driven decision-making to execute plans focused on scalability, efficiency, reliability, and quality.
  • Triggered growth from 20% to 40%, 25-35% new profit, and $12-15M/year in revenues by redirecting the company from an energy, oil/gas focus to medical device production.
  • Leveraged a hands-on approach selecting and implementing an ERP system that enabled accurate forecasting, budget preparation, trend and variance analysis, and management reporting.
  • Aligned and ushered operational efficiencies through system improvements that generated 20% in cost savings.
  • Led business to achieve numerous awards, including ‘Vendor of the Year’ awards from customers, such as Zimmer Biomet, Stryker Corporation, Medtronic, and Wright Medical Technologies.
  • A contract manufacturer of orthopedic implants (hip, knee, spinal) and surgical instruments. In addition to manufacturing expertise in medical devices, Centex is involved with aerospace, semi-conductor, and energy business sectors.
  • Footnote - Centex Machining, Inc:
  • I owned and operated Centex Machining, Inc. from 1992 through 2019. I strategically transformed Centex from an Energy Sector customer base contract manufacturer to becoming Medical Device focused. During my tenure Centex became a top Tier supplier for several of the largest Orthopedic Device OEM companies in the world with a reputation for high quality, impressive customer service and fair pricing.
  • Centex operated with unusually high profit margins and took considerable pride in hiring, training and grooming what some felts were the highest caliper CNC machinist in Central Texas. Additionally, I operated Centex with the latest and most technologically advanced CNC machine tools available and made housekeeping a priority.
  • In 2013 I was forced to take medical leave and had to relocate to Houston. I turned the management of Centex over to my “right hand man” during my one-year absence. Upon returning from Houston I found that Centex was in a financial mess, having lost my top 3 management personnel during my absence.
  • During that process my ex-wife filed a suit against me for non-payment on our divorce agreement and I was forced to file for Chapter 11 personal bankruptcy.
  • Although the financial well-being of Centex was well on the way to recovery, long story short and 2-1/2 years later, Centex was liquidated.
  • At that point I moved to and lived in Mexico returning to the US in 2021 at which time I went to work for LaRue Tactical.

CEO/Owner/Operator

Innovation Incorporated
Austin, TX
06.1985 - 01.1992
  • Manufacturer of Commercial Concrete Forming Systems sold world-wide.
  • Early Career:

Plant Operations Manager

Westinghouse Electric Corporation
Pittsburgh, PA
06.1974 - 08.1984
  • Selected from among two hundred engineers to complete rigorous 2 yearlong corporate wide manufacturing exposure and served as mentee under Corporate V.P of Global Manufacturing. Progressed from protégé to Corporate V.P of Global Manufacturing to Plant Operations Manager, Heavy Industrial Motor Division at Westinghouse Electric Corporation, Round Rock, TX.

Education

Bachelor of Science (BS) - Industrial Engineering & Management

Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK

Skills

  • Executive Operations Management
  • Manufacturing & Production Systems
  • System Integrations & Upgrades
  • Materials Resource Planning (MRP)
  • Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
  • Production Control Systems
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Strategic Financial Management
  • Team Leadership & Mentoring
  • Competitive Analysis
  • Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
  • Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
  • Capital Planning & Budgeting
  • Full P&L Financial performance responsibility
  • Data Driven Financial Forecasting, Planning and tracking against objectives
  • Effective decision making
  • Operational excellence
  • Customer focus
  • Strategic visioning
  • Crisis management
  • Global perspective
  • Financial acumen
  • Corporate governance
  • Executive presence
  • Talent development
  • Sustainable business models
  • Inspirational leadership
  • Negotiation
  • Operations management
  • Management team leadership
  • Business administration
  • Strategic planning
  • Business planning
  • Executive leadership
  • Budget planning
  • Approachable leader
  • Profit and loss management
  • Financial management
  • Intuit quickbooks
  • Operational analysis

Timeline

Chief Financial Officer

LaRue Tactical
09.2025 - 04.2026

General Manager

LaRue Tactical
06.2022 - 09.2025

Manager, Production Planning and Control

LaRue Tactical
03.2022 - 02.2023

Owner & Chief Executive Officer

Centex Machining, Inc.
01.1992 - 01.2019

CEO/Owner/Operator

Innovation Incorporated
06.1985 - 01.1992

Plant Operations Manager

Westinghouse Electric Corporation
06.1974 - 08.1984

Bachelor of Science (BS) - Industrial Engineering & Management

Oklahoma State University
Rich PhillipsBusiness Analyst, Strategic Planning, Operations Management