Robert Craven
Shorewood,IL
Summary
Dynamic Operations Manager with a proven track record, excelling in root cause analysis and strategic planning. Achieved significant reductions in operational downtime while enhancing quality and safety standards. Adept at fostering team performance and driving continuous improvement initiatives to elevate customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Operations Manager
VVF Illinois Services
Montgomery, Illinois
04.2019 - 10.2025
- Executed managerial direction for 60 to 75 union technicians and 5 salaried supervisors during shifts.
- Monitored quality results, addressing operational and personnel deficiencies effectively.
- Ensured production met established quality, safety, and productivity standards.
- Minimized material losses while reducing operational downtime significantly.
- Achieved plant goals across key performance indicators: cost, safety, OEE, and quality.
- Maintained adherence to inventory procedures following FIFO methodology.
- Collaborated with customers to identify issues and improve satisfaction.
- Monitored and improved efficiency of processes, team performance, and customer service.
- Directed operations staff by providing guidance, training, and support in order to meet company objectives.
- Assessed employee development needs and provided feedback on their progress towards meeting goals.
- Identified areas of deficiency and performed root-cause analysis to solve problems.
- Coordinated with other departments including sales, marketing, finance, human resources. to ensure efficient operations.
- Implemented policies and standard operating procedures and managed quality, customer service and logistics.
- Collaborated with management team on long-term strategic planning initiatives for the organization.
- Analyzed data from daily reports to identify trends in production performance metrics.
- Implemented innovative strategies that reduced operating costs while maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction.
- Produced SOPs to document workplace procedures and optimize productivity through standardization.
- Measured and reviewed performance via KPIs and metrics.
- Aided senior leadership during executive decision-making process by generating daily reports to recommend corrective actions and improvements.
- Performed cost analysis for various projects to determine budget requirements.
- Mitigated business risks by working closely with staff members and assessing performance.
Operations Team Manager
VVF Illinois Services
Montgomery, Illinois
02.2016 - 04.2019
- Daily supervision and management of operating technicians.
- Managed 100% compliance of SHE aspects and reliability maximization of a given shift.
- Performed OSHA required monthly safety topics.
- Ensured commodity changes were completed within planned time frame.
- Ensured adequate resources were on the lines.
- Provided guidance and training for operation technicians in accordance with plant SOP’s.
- Ensured compliance from direct reports on performing general clean up, scarp control and any other necessary duties.
- Ensured all GMP and associated documentation is complete and accurate.
- Supported maintenance workflow process by writing needed work orders.
- Provided adequate documentation/communication to peers on changes or updates on downtime events.
Materials Supervisor
VVF Illinois Services
Montgomery, Illinois
12.2013 - 02.2016
- Supervised and coordinated materials and warehouse direction for 14 forklift/material handlers.
- Analyzed, and corrected inventory discrepancies.
- Performed material management duties and responsibilities, including but not limited to cycle counting, inventory reconciliation, inbound/outbound material processing, and GP / SAP system administration.
Storeroom Coordinator
VVF Illinois Services
Montgomery, Illinois
08.2011 - 12.2013
- Managed the receipt, storage and issuance of all items kept in Storeroom.
- Removed items from shipping containers to identify storeroom items, inspected for damage, reconciled P.O’s to confirm items were correct, and properly disposed of packing materials for to ensure safety and good housekeeping practices.
- Maintained and ensured adequate parts and equipment inventory records.
- Created purchasing requisitions as needed, investigated ordered items not received and receipts not invoiced; reconciled unresolved issues and provided solution recommendations.
Parts Manager/Production Manager
Collision Revision
Joliet, Illinois
05.2007 - 08.2011
- Managed “key” full-time accounts for local businesses, and, shop personnel.
- Balanced internal vendor credit report against actual vendor credit receipts.
- Inspected new automobile parts for damage/defects prior to distribution to technicians, thereby reducing turnaround time on auto body/engine repairs.
- Prepared and entered service invoices into office management system for billing accuracy.
- Entered invoice statement corrections into the office management billing system.
- Effectively managed shop materials inventory.
- Prepared and submitted auto repair estimates for both customers and insurance companies.
Education
General Education Studies -
Robert Morris College
Orland Park, ILGeneral Education Studies -
John A. Logan Community College
Carbondale, ILH.S. Diploma -
Joliet Catholic Academy
Joliet, ILSkills
- Root cause analysis
- Continuous improvement
- Problem solving
- Strategic planning
- Operational efficiency
- Interpersonal communication
References
Available upon request
Timeline
Operations Manager
VVF Illinois Services
04.2019 - 10.2025
Operations Team Manager
VVF Illinois Services
02.2016 - 04.2019
Materials Supervisor
VVF Illinois Services
12.2013 - 02.2016
Storeroom Coordinator
VVF Illinois Services
08.2011 - 12.2013
Parts Manager/Production Manager
Collision Revision
05.2007 - 08.2011
General Education Studies -
Robert Morris College
General Education Studies -
John A. Logan Community College
H.S. Diploma -
Joliet Catholic Academy