Experience

Rigid Hitch Inc.

• United States
• Motor Vehicle Manufacturing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director Of Operations

  • Jul 2021 - Present

• Manufacturing Manager

  • Oct 2005 - Aug 2021

  Rigid Hitch manufactures and distributes high quality after market towing equipment, truck and trailer accessories nationwide. ISO 9001:2015 certified.; Responsible for all aspects of manufacturing, including scheduling of projects, supply chain management, and quality control. Develop best practices. Make decisions with regard to equipment and process improvements. Reduce costs through the implementation of lean manufacturing techniques. Responsible for new product development including design and testing making sure that all products meet or exceed all customer expectations and governmental regulations. Currently pursuing Lean Six Sigma Certification. Leader of a cross-functional team responsible for developing and implementing ISO 9001 QMS. Implemented a Kaizen Event that slashed time between production runs by 80%.  Developed a new product line responsible for over $2M in additional revenues. Dramatically reduced inventory by 33% while maintaining a 99.7% service level. Excelled at increasing efficiencies 40% by reconfiguring the manufacturing layout to create better work flow. Cultivated a top notch workforce through hiring, training and mentoring staff. Relied upon by upper management to make crucial recommendations with regard to capital expenditures. Selected by upper management to collaborate with customers in developing high profile projects. Successfully created and implemented strategic plans to foster growth and drive continuous improvement. Prepared comprehensive activity reports for upper management.  Systematically applied root cause analysis to identify and solve problems.



D&E Products, Inc

• Owner/President

  • Nov 1994 - Aug 2005

  D&E Products was a small precision machine job shop including precision sawing, CNC milling and turning, and robotic welding.; Responsible for overseeing all aspects of day to day operations including strategic planning, profit and loss, budgeting, decision making, and organizational leadership.  Successfully led change management initiative from sole proprietorship to incorporation.  Doubled net income through expansion into other market segments.  Prepared comprehensive financial documents and budgets.  Initiated and implemented strategic plans that enabled the company to remain profitable during trying economic times.  Cultivated relationships with customers and suppliers based on trust, honesty, and openness.  Skillfully framed policy and held employees accountable consistently and fairly.  Cut lead times on orders by 30%.  Expanded the business to include CNC machining and robotic welding.