Okay, let’s calculate this. Kathy has 30 years of experience in manufacturing and product development, which is a broad range. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for manufacturing managers in the US is around $123,000. However, this figure doesn’t account for her leadership experience or industry-specific skills. Considering her expertise in Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, and inventory management, she may command a premium rate. Let’s look at industry benchmarks. According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a Director of Finance in the US is around $115,000. But Kathy’s experience and skills suggest she could charge more. A rough estimate would be 10-20% above the industry average, considering her leadership role and expertise. So, I’ll estimate her hourly rate to be around $125, which is slightly below the industry average but still reflects her value proposition.