SAMANTHA CHIRICO
Vernon
Summary
Operations leader with over a decade in manufacturing, driving excellence and continuous improvement. Managed diverse teams and key functions, launching products on time and within budget, while utilizing data analysis to optimize strategies and solutions.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
CENTRAL CT DISTILLERS
East Hartford
11.2023 - Current
- Oversaw end-to-end operations for $3M+ manufacturing business, managing production, inventory, procurement, HR, and order fulfillment to drive operational excellence
- Led cross-functional project management for new product launches, coordinating timelines, vendors, packaging development, compliance, and production readiness from concept to market release, ensuring timely launch
- Develop and manage detailed project plans, tracking milestones, risks, and dependencies to ensure on-time and on-budget execution of product launches
- Manage inventory planning and procurement strategies to support new product rollouts while maintaining optimal stock levels across existing SKUs
- Direct purchasing and vendor relationships, negotiating pricing, lead times, and terms to optimize cost and reliability of supply
- Supervise production scheduling and workflow to ensure efficient scale-up for new and existing products
- Implement and refine SOPs to support repeatable, scalable product launches and consistent operational execution
- Partner with ownership on strategic planning, budgeting, and operational forecasting
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
HUBBELL ELECTRIC HEATER COMPANY
Stratford
06.2022 - 10.2023
- Developed and implemented operational strategies and initiatives aligned with financial and strategic objectives, enhancing profitability.
- Led the identification and elimination of operational bottlenecks, optimizing productivity and driving cost savings.
- Championed continuous improvement initiatives using data analysis and process optimization, increasing operational efficiency.
- Oversaw cross-functional teams in the execution of projects, ensuring successful delivery within established timelines and budgetary constraints.
- Implemented robust project management processes, including defining project scope, allocating resources, and monitoring project progress.
- Collaborated with senior leadership and key stakeholders to provide regular updates on project status, performance, and risks.
- Successfully managed potential crisis situations by implementing effective contingency plans, minimizing disruptions to operations.
- Developed and nurtured strong relationships with suppliers, fostering strategic partnerships and ensuring the availability of quality materials.
- Mentored and coached team members to enhance professional development and cultivate a high-performance culture.
BUSINESS PROCESS SPECIALIST
HUBBELL ELECTRIC HEATER COMPANY
Stratford
06.2021 - 05.2022
- Collaborated closely with stakeholders to gather requirements, define process objectives, and ensure alignment with organizational goals.
- Analyzed existing business processes across departments, identifying opportunities for improvement and enhanced efficiency.
- Mapped and documented processes, pinpointing bottlenecks, redundancies, and potential for automation or standardization.
- Developed and delivered comprehensive training programs to educate employees on new processes and technologies, fostering adoption and minimizing resistance to change.
- Acted as a subject matter expert, providing guidance and support to colleagues and teams across the organization on process-related matters.
- Maintained up-to-date documentation of process changes, ensuring standard operating procedures (SOPs) and guidelines reflect current practices.
MATERIALS MANAGER
HUBBELL ELECTRIC HEATER COMPANY
Stratford
07.2019 - 05.2021
- Oversaw the end-to-end materials management process, including procurement, inventory control, and logistics, to ensure timely availability of materials for production.
- Developed and implemented strategic sourcing strategies, vendor management protocols, and negotiation tactics to optimize cost savings while maintaining high-quality materials.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams, including production, engineering, and finance, to forecast materials requirements and develop comprehensive production plans.
- Implemented inventory management systems and processes to monitor stock levels and minimize stock-outs, contributing to improved cash flow and reduced excess inventory.
- Established relationships with key suppliers and conducted performance evaluations, fostering partnerships and ensuring compliance with quality standards and delivery timelines.
- Led continuous improvement initiatives to optimize processes and reduce lead times, enhancing overall supply chain efficiency.
- Monitored market trends, technological advancements, and industry developments to proactively identify potential risks and opportunities related to materials sourcing and logistics.
- Ensured compliance with regulatory requirements and maintained accurate documentation for materials-related activities, such as certifications, quality records, and import/export regulations.
SALES OPERATIONS ASSOCIATE
KITCHEN BRAINS
Stratford
06.2017 - 07.2019
- Developed and executed strategic sales plans for key accounts, enhancing customer relationships
- Point of contact on all customer inquiries and order processing via phone and email
- Managed customer account information in ERP, CRM, and billing systems to ensure data accuracy
- Coordinate the implementation of new solution setups, upgrades, downgrades and cancellations with all departments.
- Assisted in cost estimation and budget analysis for new products and initiatives, supporting financial planning
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
INDEED
Stamford
01.2017 - 06.2017
- Prospected revenue opportunities through cold calling and built a pipeline, achieving sales quota.
- Drove growth by selling pay-per-click advertising (PPC) services to small-to-medium sized employers (SMB), enhancing client acquisition.
- Conducted live product demonstrations over the phone and via webinar, showcasing product features to increase customer understanding.
PRODUCTION PLANNER
HUBBELL ELECTRIC HEATER COMPANY
Stratford
11.2015 - 01.2017
- Created and adjusted production schedules for teams based on shifting priorities.
- Revised production schedules in response to design changes, labor and material shortages, and backlogs.
- Determined order completion time, developed production schedule to align with predicted completion date.
SALES ASSISTANT
HUBBELL ELECTRIC HEATER COMPANY
Stratford
07.2011 - 11.2015
- Leveraged knowledge of company products and services to provide tailored recommendations to clients.
- Streamlined customer information updates and account management in store databases.
- Organized departmental files for efficient access to critical communications and contracts.
Education
BS - HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT
UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS, ISENBERG SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
Amherst, MA05-2023
Skills
- Procurement strategies
- Supply chain management
- Process optimization
- Inventory management
- Manufacturing planning
- Quality management systems
- Operational risk management
- Project management
- ERP systems (Epicor, Sage)
- CRM solutions (Salesforce)
- Data analysis
- Operational leadership
- Team leadership
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Effective communication
Timeline
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
CENTRAL CT DISTILLERS
11.2023 - Current
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
HUBBELL ELECTRIC HEATER COMPANY
06.2022 - 10.2023
BUSINESS PROCESS SPECIALIST
HUBBELL ELECTRIC HEATER COMPANY
06.2021 - 05.2022
MATERIALS MANAGER
HUBBELL ELECTRIC HEATER COMPANY
07.2019 - 05.2021
SALES OPERATIONS ASSOCIATE
KITCHEN BRAINS
06.2017 - 07.2019
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
INDEED
01.2017 - 06.2017
PRODUCTION PLANNER
HUBBELL ELECTRIC HEATER COMPANY
11.2015 - 01.2017
SALES ASSISTANT
HUBBELL ELECTRIC HEATER COMPANY
07.2011 - 11.2015
BS - HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT
UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS, ISENBERG SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT