Wael Sanduka

Leveraging analytical and tactical capabilities for devising and implementing manufacturing and strategic operational goals to exceed expectations for product quality, cost, and delivery. Accomplished executive with extensive experience optimizing global processes via execution of improvement initiatives with specialization in strategic planning, environmental regulations and permits, project management, as well as operational oversight. Track record devising, evaluating, and implementing robust practices to minimize waste and reduce costs, while maximizing quality and yield. Recognized for broad-based management skills with strong planning, communication, organizational, and decision-making ability to successfully direct concurrent projects. Demonstrated ability managing overall plant operations, ensuring achievement of targets for safety, quality, service, and cost via provision of pristine leadership talents to direct plant team and manage systems, equipment, people, as well as materials as per set policies, procedures, specifications, and customer requirements. Commended for building high-performance teams, forging strategic partnerships with key stakeholders, as well as communicating clear goals and objectives to translate strategic plans into actionable initiatives and promote positive company brand

• Secured $3M per year via implementation of improvement strategies to slash wire rod costs, reduce scrap, and drive quality.
• Achieved production objectives by devising and executing continuous process improvements to minimize waste and reduce costs, while maximizing quality and yield.
• Propelled engineering projects to success within budget constraints by driving controlling system enhancements and scheduling troubleshoot as necessary.
• Drove integrity of operating systems and processes by regulating process safety management program and applying best technical and operating practices.
• Achieved $300K savings in raw materials costs, leading negotiations with various suppliers to obtain best pricing.
• Optimized manufacturing capabilities and financial health of plant by assessing previous and existing data to approve replacement, new equipment, and raw material purchases.
• Enabled savings of $1.5M annually by leading major $9M steam turbine project to minimize energy usage.

• Head NA Operations Seeds Development, Syngenta, IA, IA, 01/21 - Present, Responsible for managing all aspects of manufacturing, supply chain, purchasing, maintenance, safety, training, logistics, quality, scheduling, planning & forecasting, and continuous improvement for all Operations Sites., Implement visual tools, including team shipping dates, inventory system, total tracking system of planting to packaging (E2E)., Create an annual operating budget and manage performance to budget. Includes implementation of site's capacity template and portfolio., Create and lead an environment that focuses on continuous improvement. Achieve reduction of unit cost and improve manufacturing efficiencies utilizing Lean and/or Six Sigma techniques.
• General Manager, Poet Corporation, Gowrie, IA, 01/15 - 12/21, Lead $140M business to success by leveraging superior operational, personnel, marketing, and program management capabilities to drive maximum profitability for two plants at the same time., Design and capitalize on strategic plans, KPIs, as well as process improvements to maximize operational and team efficiencies., Leverage immaculate leadership talents to source, train, and supervise professional, technical, and support teams., Identify and maximize employee potential capabilities via workflow assessments, performance reviews, goal-setting, and disciplinary actions as well as delegate tasks, develop labor schedule, and create succession plan for optimum delivery of operations and tasks within time constraints., Implement internal policies and procedures to effectively communicate job expectations, values, and vision of organization for smooth running of processes., Interface with all city, county, state, and federal rules and regulations on regular basis regarding plant operations.
• Plant Manager, Poet Corporation, Gowrie, IA, 01/12 - 12/15, Spearheaded all facets of plant production functions, including P&L, compliance and coordinate manufacturing processes to ensure achievement of production goals., Demonstrated strong and dynamic leadership to lead cross-functional teams and departments for contributing to production optimization and revenue generation goals., Collaborated with corporate stakeholders as company's representative to discuss progress and propose resolution/safety strategies to mitigate gaps in performance across engineering, EH&S, general operations, and maintenance., Optimized operational performance of plant, engaging in comprehensive analysis of existing processes and procedures to isolate underperforming activities and develop proactive mitigation and improvement strategies.
• Senior Global Operation Manager, Bekaert Corporation, Aalter, Belgium, 01/09 - 12/12, Led cross-functional team of 19 managers, 29 engineers, 470 technicians, and 545 technical operators, while developing and managing project budgets worth $22M, while acquiring and expanding Greenfield projects., Optimized global environmental project by capitalizing on improvement and cost cutting initiatives as well as travelling to evaluate progress in plants across Brazil, China, Italy, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, Turkey, and USA., Drove new technology development and leveraged subject matter expertise in terms of critical technical planning and support to uplift technical functions across various corporate plants., Implemented best practices to maximize productivity, machines efficiency, and team performance to deliver supreme quality product.