Experience

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  Central Garden & Pet

  • St. George, UT

  • Director - Business Improvement

    • Jun 2018 - Present
    • St. George, UT

    Supporting continuous improvement efforts.

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  Chaucer Foods Inc.

  • Forest Grove, Oregon

  • General Manager

    • Oct 2017 - Jun 2018
    • Forest Grove, Oregon

    • Provided leadership at a time of rapid change• Refined safety efforts• Supported development of new products bringing significant new revenue• Managed through this location’s re-certification at level A+ in BRC• Supported community development by sponsoring Junior Achievement at the local high school level• Participated as member of the Forest Grove Economic Council

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  Central Garden & Pet

  • Irwindale, CA

  • Plant Manager - Breeder's Choice Pet Food

    • Jun 2013 - Oct 2017
    • Irwindale, CA

    Responsible for all plant manufacturing operations. Managed $35 million operating budget. • Saved over $700,000 annually through development of alternate vendors and bid programs• Managed workplace safety improvement from mod of 143 to mod of 83• Led effort to improve master data in SAP for full reliance on planning/scheduling functions• Supervised production planning strategy improvement to achieve customer order fill rate of 99.7% • Established measurements for complaint index and “right-first-time” leading to improved quality culture • Provided stable leadership after an extended period of local management turnover

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  CSM Bakery Products

  • Plant Director

    • Aug 2011 - Feb 2013

    Responsible for all plant manufacturing operations. Managed $37 million operating budget. •Saved over $500,000 annually by redeploying labor into modified work schedules•Reduced labor cost per pound by over 8% over three years while average hourly wage rates increased by 11%•Improved customer service order fill rate to 98% (98% of orders were filled at 100%)•Implemented system to provide projected costs and standards for new products within 48 hours•Managed successful migration of computer systems while maintaining customer service levels•Managed conversion to Global Food Safety Initiative and secured “A” grade on initial BRC/GFSI audit

  • Regional Controller

    • Oct 2009 - Aug 2011

    Responsible for manufacturing costing and accounting. Participate in and lead cross-functional teams to implement 5-S, Lean/Kaizen activities and other cost-cutting, efficiency efforts.

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  McCain Foods

  • Colton, CA

  • Plant Controller

    • Nov 1999 - Oct 2009
    • Colton, CA

    JON-LIN FOODS/MCCAIN FOODS USA, Inc., Colton, CA 1999 - 2009($60 million processor of fruits and vegetables)Plant Controller in charge of accounting function and tracking product costs. Previously served as Director of Sales Operations (Jon-Lin Foods) in charge of the Customer Service Department and responsible for pricing and administration of sales and brokerage commissions. Previously served as Manager of Operations (Jon-Lin Foods) in charge of all production operations. Supervised three direct report managers, a total of 160 regular employees. •Supported sales growth of 100% over seven years•Coordinated Raw Material ownership positions and provided input for product pricing and margin management to Senior Executives•Established regular production activity and cost reporting systems as base for measuring improvement•Started up two new production lines and established operating standards for both•Instituted safety incentive program that resulted in a 50% reduction in first aid medical calls•Instituted formal training for supervisory personnel

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  Chep USA

  • Costa Mesa, CA

  • Sales Manager - Produce

    • Mar 1992 - Nov 1999
    • Costa Mesa, CA

    Sales Manager for international produce accounts for the development of pallet and container rentals for fresh fruit imports from Latin America to the United States. Served as Account Manager in the Sales Department with responsibility for implementing and developing the pallet rental business within manufacturer accounts. Served as Area Service Manager with responsibility to supervise activity of Service Representatives and to manage both manufacturer and distributor accounts including retail grocery chain procurement and distribution operations in Southern California (Sunkist Growers, Von’s, Lucky’s, Ralph’s, Stater Brothers, Walmart). •Instrumental in securing contract with manufacturing customer which continues to provide over $5.5 million in annual revenue•Conducted initial pack tests for reusable plastic containers for citrus and bananas•Established import business for Chilean summer fruit to East Coast and West Coast terminals •Developed spreadsheet models for analysis of pallet costs of manufacturer, public warehouse, and transportation company logistics.

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  Ralston Purina

  • Flagstaff, AZ

  • Buying/Transportation Manager

    • Oct 1981 - Feb 1992
    • Flagstaff, AZ

    Served in progressively responsible positions in the commodity and transportation departments in four geographic locations and in two operating divisions. •Negotiated contracts for the purchase of ingredients and transportation.•Coordinated freight arrangements for customer deliveries to all major grocery chains.•Managed the largest distribution facility in the company.•Managed ingredient and transportation budgets for production facilities.•Received President’s Award for managing a purchase position of ingredients which allowed a market value increase of over $300,000 in one year.•Developed subordinates' management abilities.•Created a spreadsheet model to track rail demurrage