Steve Leonhardt
Senior Manager Quality & Continuous Improvement
Crawfordsville,IN
Summary
Strategic Lean Champion committed to executing lean methods to promote continuous improvement and empowering employees to enhance value of service. Bringing multiple years of profound experience in lean improvement processes and projects.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
2
2
Certifications
Work History
Senior Manager Quality & Continuous Improvement
Lakeside Book Company
03.2024 - Current
- Led cross-functional teams to achieve project milestones and deliver high-quality results.
- Improved team performance by providing comprehensive training and fostering a collaborative work environment.
- Collaborated closely with peers from other departments to drive organizational success jointly as one cohesive unit.
- Managed large-scale projects and introduced new systems, tools, and processes to achieve challenging objectives.
- Achieved operational excellence by streamlining processes and implementing best practices.
- Championed process improvement initiatives that led to significant cost savings without compromising on quality standards.
- Spearheaded change management efforts for seamless adoption of new systems or processes among employees.
Continuous Improvement Manager
Lakeside Book Company
Crawfordsville, IN
01.2022 - 02.2024
- Teamed with site leaders on determining annual operational targets and outlining needed improvements in efficiency, quality and delivery.
- Managed development and implementation of lean and continuous improvement manufacturing initiatives and reporting across production environment.
- Led multiple CI events identifying problems in existing manufacturing processes and implemented new processes to improve efficiency by 3%.
- Developed training program to advance understanding and application of lean principles.
World Class Logistics Leader
CNH Industrial
Lebanon, IN
09.2013 - 01.2022
- Managed development and implementation of lean and continuous improvement initiatives across packaging and distribution environment.
- Developed Continuous Improvement/Lean production training programs for onsite implementation.
- Mentored and coached pillar leaders and project leaders in lean logistics and continuous improvement processes.
- Drove implementation of formal WCL program resulting in completion of 86 standard & major kaizen projects. Achieving 3.2 M savings.
- Scheduled and facilitated meetings between project stakeholders, project and pillar leaders to discuss deliverables, schedules and conflicts.
- Reported regularly to site leadership on overall program performance and progress through established KPI's.
- Prepared, schedule and managed site communication and presentation strategy for all WCL corporate audits.
- Developed strategic vision/route map for advancement and performance of WCL program in collaboration of local site leadership team.
- Collaborated with other regions on establishment of best practices and training/sharing of lean methodologies.
Supervisor
CNH Industrial
Lebanon, IN
04.2010 - 08.2013
- Streamlined processes to enhance operational productivity and overall traceability.
- Increased efficiency and effectively supervised 42 team members to achieve optimal productivity.
- Developed standard and emergency operating procedures for handling, storing, and shipping products.
Logistics Manager
ModusLink
Indianapolis, IN
09.2008 - 11.2009
- Developed warehouse system that provided best cost with appropriate service levels to achieve organizational goals.
- Built continuous improvement culture that attracted and retained high-performing employees while reducing costs.
- Implemented lean improvement strategies to improve processes, systems and behavior.
Combat Engineer (12B)
US Army
09.1989 - 09.1991
- Participated in joint training exercises with foreign military forces, fostering international relationships and collaboration.
- Collaborated with other military branches for large-scale operations, promoting teamwork and cohesion across units.
- Enhanced team efficiency by streamlining communication and coordination in high-pressure situations.
- Operated various heavy machinery for construction tasks under diverse environmental conditions.
- Led demolition projects with precision and accuracy, ensuring successful completion within deadlines.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Cultural Anthropology
Miami University
Oxford, OHSkills
- Strategic Vision
- Project Management
- Lean Methodology & Implementation
- Problem Solving
- International Experience
- Project Team Collaboration
- Verbal and Written Communication
- KPI Monitoring & Reporting
Certification
- Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, International Society for Six Sigma
- ASQ Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence ( Expected Summer 2025 )
Languages
German
Elementary
Timeline
Senior Manager Quality & Continuous Improvement
Lakeside Book Company
03.2024 - Current
Continuous Improvement Manager
Lakeside Book Company
01.2022 - 02.2024
World Class Logistics Leader
CNH Industrial
09.2013 - 01.2022
Supervisor
CNH Industrial
04.2010 - 08.2013
Logistics Manager
ModusLink
09.2008 - 11.2009
Combat Engineer (12B)
US Army
09.1989 - 09.1991
Bachelor of Arts - Cultural Anthropology
Miami University
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