25 years of engineering and senior leadership experience with a diverse background in manufacturing and continuous improvement
Proven track record in building, coaching, aligning, and empowering cross-functional teams to achieve numerous goals within many organizations
Extensive continuous improvement experience in business/office processes
Facilitated dozens of engineering process and 3P (Product and Process Preparation) kaizen events
Leadership coach to hundreds of leaders
Facilitated hundreds of kaizen events in all areas of companies
Expertise
Leadership Development
Continuous Improvement
Problem-Solving
Engineering Process Improvement
Lean Six Sigma
Change Management
Project Management
MS Office – Advanced
Creative/Flexible Solutions
Office Process Improvement
Lean Facilitator Coaching
Waste Elimination
Leadership Coaching
Training
Metrics and Data Analysis
Experience
President
Nov 2005 to Nov 2014 | Nov 2017 to Present
Lean Partners, Minneapolis, MN
Produced the following results within a company in a two year period; productivity gains of over 50%, lead times reduced by 50%, labor costs reduced by 50%. This allowed the company to maintain a competitive market position while still providing customers the advantages of U.S. based engineering, manufacturing and short lead times
Worked in collaboration, with the management team of a long-term client; created strategic plans, lead multiple Kaizen events and leadership development. This resulted in yearly improvements; 20% reduction in lead time, 25% productivity improvement, and 50% reduction of quality defects.
Worked in partnership with companies (including medical companies) to improve company performance in delivery, productivity, lead time, quality and safety.
Created partnerships with owners and senior leaders within organizations.
Worked side by side with companies in creating, executing and sustaining continuous improvement plans.
Provided one on one coaching of Skillscope and High Performance Lean Leadership series to hundreds of leaders.
Facilitated Kaizen events for all areas of a company
Coached teams in Value Stream Mapping, Lean tools and problem solving.
Vice President of Operations
Nov 2014 to Nov 2017
Millerbernd Manufacturing, Winsted, MN
Through leadership and continuous improvement, I drove profitability from a negative number to an 8% operating profit in the first year.
Managed and implemented a continuous improvement team that supports both divisions of the company.
Work collaboratively with the senior leadership using The Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) to set clearly defined goals for each department I oversee and in return measure the results against the goals.
Reviewed analysis of activities, costs, operations and forecast data to determine progress toward defined goals and objectives.
Communicated the broad strategic vision of the senior leadership team accurately and effectively to the managers and supervisors.
Diligently maintained a collaborative work environment by concisely stating the Millerbernd core values, objectives and deadlines to be met.
Delegate authority to undertake objectives, and monitor progress so that problems can be identified and addressed in a timely manner.
Implemented procedures in accordance with the organization’s safety policies which lead to a 38% reduction in recordable injuries during my tenure.
Implemented root cause analysis and problem-solving tools to reduce Customer CARE’s by 45% year over year.
Coach and develop direct report team members.
Analyze equipment capacities and workforce capabilities to create a plan which meets Millerbernd’s growth goals.
Internal Lead Consultant
Nov 1996 to Nov 2005
Sauer-Danfoss, Plymouth, MN
Responsible for strategic planning and Lean implementation within the Mobile electronics Division globally.
Lead trainer of 3P (Product and Process Preparation).
Supported multiple divisions in Lean implementation.
Engaged in corporate strategic planning.
Manager of Technical Sales Team
Sauer-Danfoss, Plymouth, MN
Worked directly with customers (local and global) to create statements of work for winning proposals.
Supervised a team of electrical and application engineers.
Created proposals, which included product costs, development costs and capital investment for custom products.
Facilitated local and global Kaizen events on current and new products and processes.
Reviewed internal rate of return and EBIT numbers for each proposal to ensure profitability.
Collaborated with engineering department to create concepts for customers to give clarity about the development time needed to product the actual product.
Developed capital expenditures list for individual custom projects.
Senior Manufacturing Engineer, Process Development Team