Kevin Cruze
Vice President of Operations at Automation Engineering Company- Claim this Profile
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Bio
Rock Tolman
Kevin is an inspiring leader. His attention to detail is remarkable especially related to his ability to manage. He is not afraid to show you what happens "behind the scenes". In fact, he loves doing it. He makes it a priority to teach and educate as well as deliver a great product/service. Kevin is genuine in his work and truly cares about the people he works with. He has mastered his trade, but continues to learn and adopt the latest best practices. He is humble but with a commanding presence. I know of many who have been mentored under his leadership and have felt the same way: Kevin Cruze inspires you to want to be better, period.
Bob Goossens
I have had the privilege of working with Kevin for nearly 10 years. Kevin was not only a professional as he lead our organization in developing the service talent nationally, but he was also innovative as we worked to develop the CRM system to facilitate predictive services for the customer. His knowledge of manufacturing and machine tools helped me learn to assist the organization to develop a comprehensive service module within the CRM system. I also had the opportunity to participate in executive leadership training with Kevin where our relationship expanded beyond our professional paths. As I got to know Kevin I learned that not only is he very professional in business but his values and ethics are the finest you will ever find in a person.
Rock Tolman
Kevin is an inspiring leader. His attention to detail is remarkable especially related to his ability to manage. He is not afraid to show you what happens "behind the scenes". In fact, he loves doing it. He makes it a priority to teach and educate as well as deliver a great product/service. Kevin is genuine in his work and truly cares about the people he works with. He has mastered his trade, but continues to learn and adopt the latest best practices. He is humble but with a commanding presence. I know of many who have been mentored under his leadership and have felt the same way: Kevin Cruze inspires you to want to be better, period.
Bob Goossens
I have had the privilege of working with Kevin for nearly 10 years. Kevin was not only a professional as he lead our organization in developing the service talent nationally, but he was also innovative as we worked to develop the CRM system to facilitate predictive services for the customer. His knowledge of manufacturing and machine tools helped me learn to assist the organization to develop a comprehensive service module within the CRM system. I also had the opportunity to participate in executive leadership training with Kevin where our relationship expanded beyond our professional paths. As I got to know Kevin I learned that not only is he very professional in business but his values and ethics are the finest you will ever find in a person.
Rock Tolman
Kevin is an inspiring leader. His attention to detail is remarkable especially related to his ability to manage. He is not afraid to show you what happens "behind the scenes". In fact, he loves doing it. He makes it a priority to teach and educate as well as deliver a great product/service. Kevin is genuine in his work and truly cares about the people he works with. He has mastered his trade, but continues to learn and adopt the latest best practices. He is humble but with a commanding presence. I know of many who have been mentored under his leadership and have felt the same way: Kevin Cruze inspires you to want to be better, period.
Bob Goossens
I have had the privilege of working with Kevin for nearly 10 years. Kevin was not only a professional as he lead our organization in developing the service talent nationally, but he was also innovative as we worked to develop the CRM system to facilitate predictive services for the customer. His knowledge of manufacturing and machine tools helped me learn to assist the organization to develop a comprehensive service module within the CRM system. I also had the opportunity to participate in executive leadership training with Kevin where our relationship expanded beyond our professional paths. As I got to know Kevin I learned that not only is he very professional in business but his values and ethics are the finest you will ever find in a person.
Rock Tolman
Kevin is an inspiring leader. His attention to detail is remarkable especially related to his ability to manage. He is not afraid to show you what happens "behind the scenes". In fact, he loves doing it. He makes it a priority to teach and educate as well as deliver a great product/service. Kevin is genuine in his work and truly cares about the people he works with. He has mastered his trade, but continues to learn and adopt the latest best practices. He is humble but with a commanding presence. I know of many who have been mentored under his leadership and have felt the same way: Kevin Cruze inspires you to want to be better, period.
Bob Goossens
I have had the privilege of working with Kevin for nearly 10 years. Kevin was not only a professional as he lead our organization in developing the service talent nationally, but he was also innovative as we worked to develop the CRM system to facilitate predictive services for the customer. His knowledge of manufacturing and machine tools helped me learn to assist the organization to develop a comprehensive service module within the CRM system. I also had the opportunity to participate in executive leadership training with Kevin where our relationship expanded beyond our professional paths. As I got to know Kevin I learned that not only is he very professional in business but his values and ethics are the finest you will ever find in a person.
Experience
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Automation Engineering Company
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United States
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Machinery Manufacturing
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1 - 100 Employee
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Vice President of Operations
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Dec 2021 - Present
AEC is a premier machine builder and automation integrator that works with some of the world’s leading manufacturers to advance a wide range of material handling, conveyance, and industrial automation solutions. Through our long-standing extensive experience in fabrication, integration, and control systems, our team delivers leading-edge industrial systems performance. AEC is a premier machine builder and automation integrator that works with some of the world’s leading manufacturers to advance a wide range of material handling, conveyance, and industrial automation solutions. Through our long-standing extensive experience in fabrication, integration, and control systems, our team delivers leading-edge industrial systems performance.
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In Transition
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Greater Houston
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Operations Management Professional
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Feb 2020 - Dec 2021
I am currently seeking a position as a Director/Vice President of Operations. To better leverage my experience, I'm targeting a small to mid-size company - preferably in technology or manufacturing that is growing rapidly and needs strategic direction, support and leadership to reach its maximum potential in sustainability and profitability. Please contact me at klcruze@gmail.com. I am currently seeking a position as a Director/Vice President of Operations. To better leverage my experience, I'm targeting a small to mid-size company - preferably in technology or manufacturing that is growing rapidly and needs strategic direction, support and leadership to reach its maximum potential in sustainability and profitability. Please contact me at klcruze@gmail.com.
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DMG MORI USA
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United States
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Machinery Manufacturing
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400 - 500 Employee
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General Manager
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2015 - 2020
$3B, Global CNC Machine Tool Manufacturer with 14,000 employees Orchestrated several mission-critical services-related operations across 27 operating companies nationally. Formulated innovative system to identify product specific skills then implemented focused training. Created aggressive global customer satisfaction program designed to increase brand loyalty and market share. Directed regional service departments including staffing, training, and P&L for each. Established KPIs aligned for maximum profitability and sustainability. Designed and facilitated $7.5 million apprentice training program for service personnel. • Introduced novel processes, policies, initiatives, and procedures to recapture lost revenue streams and grow profitability by 28%. • Partnered solutions for customer escalations with factories in Europe/Asia, saving $27.3 million in margin erosion. • Created world class service training program that saved over $200,000 in annual recruiter commissions, $1.7 million in exaggerated salaries over two years while increasing productivity 12%, and reducing overall downtime 9%, year-over-year.
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Ellison Technologies
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United States
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Machinery Manufacturing
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200 - 300 Employee
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Director of Strategic Services
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2013 - 2015
$500M distribution arm for DMG MORI products, with 850 employees, specializing in advanced manufacturing and productivity solutions globally.Responsible for Service Managers, Engineers, support staff and P&L management across all 18 operating companies. Undertook and successfully completed five multi-million-dollar international customer relocations. Devised and consolidated Customer Satisfaction program for each individual office. Engineered a comprehensive skills and proficiency rating system. • Identified $1.4 million annual loss of service revenue then spearheaded system to recapture it.• Formulated a project plan, then negotiated and executed a mission-critical contract while retaining key personnel during industry turn down. Net project revenue of $5 million, 33 CNC machine tool sale grossing $30.4 million, became a preferred vendor to strategic customer.
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Vice President and General Manager
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2008 - 2014
$50M, Ellison’s most profitable operating business and industry leader in the Oil and Gas sector with 48 employees
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Vice President and General Manager
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2007 - 2008
Supervised all Sales and Technical staff while ensuring day to day operations. Regulated all machine sale contracts, non-disclosure agreements and POTVs.• Leased a fleet of hybrid service vehicles which also served as personal vehicles to eliminate car allowances and improve reliability. Yearly SG&A costs dropped by 50% ($129,000) while creating a corporate standard and image for customers, who saw an increase in reliability of engineer arrival time. Improvements resulted in a 12% uptick in overall customer satisfaction.
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Vice President of Operations
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Feb 2006 - Aug 2007
Executed day to day operations and staffing for multiple technical centers.
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Ellison Technologies (Remanufacturing Group)
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Houston, TX
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Vice President/ General Manager
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2008 - 2013
Conceptualized standalone value-add business that increased profitability and market share. Acquired, equipped, and staffed facility for complete operational readiness. Pioneered Predictive /Preventive Maintenance system as an additional revenue stream. • Designed a complimentary business that successfully drove customer retention, created a value-add bolt-on to standard business, maintained critical resources and provided training on obsolete product lines. Achieved all business plan objectives while generating $4 million in additional revenue. • Overhauled the internal structure and handling of project resources. Realigned processes and procedures to meet corporate KPIs and expectations; reassigned project stakeholders when needed. Budget creep was reduced to less than 2%, cut diagnostic errors by 40%, improved first-time invoicing by 38%, and reduced machine down-time by 13%.
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GE
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United States
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Industrial Machinery Manufacturing
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700 & Above Employee
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Senior CNC Service and Applications Engineer
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Dec 1996 - Feb 2006
$1.9B, 370 employee joint venture between General Electric and Fanuc Ltd to sell and service CNC control technology throughout US and Europe $1.9B, 370 employee joint venture between General Electric and Fanuc Ltd to sell and service CNC control technology throughout US and Europe
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Education
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LaSalle University
Bachelor of Business Administration - BBA -
Pellissippi State Community College
Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Community
