Walter T Carlson IV

Accomplished Senior Operations Director with a proven track record at Cresco Labs Inc., showcasing expertise in strategic planning and lean manufacturing. Spearheaded operational transformations, achieving a 70% reduction in voluntary turnover and a significant increase in productivity. Demonstrates exceptional leadership in driving team development and operational excellence, with a keen focus on continuous improvement and budget optimization.

• 24hr Technician Level HZWPR – OSHA 29 CFR 1910.12(q), Triumvirate Environmental
• First Aid/CPR & AED Instructor, National Safety Council
• IS-100.b: Introduction to the Incident Command System (ICS 100), FEMA
• IS-200.b: ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incident, FEMA
• IS-700.a: National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) – An Introduction, FEMA
• IS-800.b: National Response Framework – An Introduction, FEMA
• IS-906: Basic Workplace Security Awareness, FEMA
• IS-907: Active Shooter – What You Can Do, FEMA
• Sell-SMaRT Responsible Vendor, Cannabis Trainers
• Mental Health First Aid, National Council for Mental Wellbeing
• Analytical Troubleshooting, Kepner-Tregoe
• Certificate: The Rise of Superheroes and Their Impacts On Pop Culture, edX

• Cannabis Facility Buildout: Established and executed plans to build out, secure licensing approvals, and launch cannabis cultivation & processing facilities in Massachusetts and New Jersey.
• Operational Excellence: At Electrochem, achieved year-over-year improvements including AOI +2%; Scrap as % of COGP –4%; Raw Material Inventory –50%; Variable Cost per Unit –20%; Productivity +30%; Customer Complaint Percentage –30%.
• Emergency Response Leadership: Created, trained, and led a world-class Emergency Response Team.
• Relocation Projects: Successfully executed multiple factory and product line relocations with zero customer disruption, including relocating Fujifilm production lines from Japan to the U.S.
• 2024 Strategic Initiatives: Launched a comprehensive Hoshin Planning process to align the Massachusetts team on overarching goals and performance metrics.
• Union Decertification: Achieved historic union decertification in Fall River, marking a first in the cannabis industry.
• Odor Mitigation Systems: Implemented innovative odor mitigation solutions that restored and optimized greenhouse operations at Uxbridge.
• Cultivation Process Optimization: Improved usable flower percentage by 22%, increased overall grams per square foot by 13%, and reduced raw material carrying costs by 55%.
• Operational Tool Deployment: Deployed critical operational tools, resulting in an 83% reduction in Lost Time Incident Rate and an 80% reduction in OSHA recordable rate.
• Operational Performance Enhancement: Drove significant cost and productivity improvements, including a 30% reduction in cost per gram, a 5% increase in Units Produced per Hour (UPPLH), and a 65% improvement in voluntary turnover rate.

Career Mentor, Taunton Area School to Career (TASC), 01/01/18, Present