Tommy Richey
Scottsburg,IN
Summary
Plant Operations Leader with 25+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience across plastics compounding, extrusion, coatings, machining, and metal processing environments. Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, improve plant performance, reduce scrap, and align safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives. Experienced in driving operational strategy, capacity planning, workforce development, and continuous improvement initiatives within ISO-regulated facilities.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Plant Quality & Continuous Improvement Manager
ILPEA Industries, Inc.
Scottsburg, IN
01.2015 - Current
- Directly manage 5 professionals while influencing plant-wide operations across PVC compounding and magnetic extrusion production lines. Partner with production, maintenance, engineering, and senior leadership to drive facility performance and operational improvements.
- Reduced customer PPM by 40% through structured root cause, control plan redesign, and process stabilization.
- Reduced plant scrap by 6%, improving margin performance and operational efficiency.
- Support plant-level capacity planning and scheduling alignment to meet customer demand.
- Lead ISO 9001 compliance and regulatory adherence (UL, NSF) across departments.
- Drive daily problem-solving initiatives focused on uptime, manpower efficiency, and equipment reliability.
- Support capital improvements and equipment optimization initiatives to reduce downtime and improve flow.
- Develop and mentor technical staff, promoting accountability and performance ownership.
Senior Quality Engineer / MRO Buyer
Sypris Technologies
Louisville, KY
01.2011 - 01.2015
- Supported production readiness through APQP, PPAP, and FMEA execution.
- Improved first-pass yield and reduced rework through structured corrective action systems.
- Coordinated supplier performance and procurement planning to ensure uninterrupted operations.
Quality Supervisor - Color & Coatings Operations
Becker Acroma LLC / Sherwin Williams
Jeffersonville, IN
01.2008 - 01.2011
- Oversaw quality systems within an active production environment.
- Led corrective action initiatives improving process reliability and customer satisfaction.
- Partnered with production and R&D to optimize throughput and formulation consistency.
Production Supervisor & Extrusion Lead
Cerrowire & Cable Co.
Crothersville, IN
01.1998 - 01.2005
- Directed 30+ employees in daily production, safety, and quality operations.
- Achieved eight production records and fourteen quality awards.
- Implemented Lean initiatives improving throughput and reducing waste.
- Managed workforce scheduling, performance reporting, and safety compliance.
Education
Associate of Science -
University of Phoenix
Skills
- Plastics Compounding & Extrusion Operations
- Coatings & Finishing Operations
- CNC Machining & Metal Processing
- ERP/MRP Systems, Power BI, Minitab, WonderWare, AS400
CORE LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES
- Full Plant Operations Leadership
- Budget & Cost Performance Management
- Production Throughput & Capacity Planning
- Lean Manufacturing (Autoliv Lean Practice in Action – VSM, Flow, 5S, Kaizen)
- Safety Culture & Regulatory Compliance
- Scrap Reduction & Process Optimization
- Cross-Functional Team Alignment
- Capital Projects & Equipment Optimization
- KPI Development & Performance Management Systems
Technical
- Broad, practical experience across high-speed production systems, extrusion, compounding, coating, machining, and automated manufacturing environments, with proven ability to understand, optimize, and lead around complex equipment and process operations.
Timeline
Plant Quality & Continuous Improvement Manager
ILPEA Industries, Inc.
01.2015 - Current
Senior Quality Engineer / MRO Buyer
Sypris Technologies
01.2011 - 01.2015
Quality Supervisor - Color & Coatings Operations
Becker Acroma LLC / Sherwin Williams
01.2008 - 01.2011
Production Supervisor & Extrusion Lead
Cerrowire & Cable Co.
01.1998 - 01.2005
Associate of Science -
University of Phoenix