Nathan Sprague
Managing Partner at Circle 6 Consulting, Inc.- Claim this Profile
Click to upgrade to our gold package
for the full feature experience.
-
Spanish -
-
English -
Topline Score
Bio
Mike Heffner
Nathan is the consummate Master Black Belt. His knowledge, skills and professionalism are unparalleled. It was a privilege to work with him.
Rex Groves
Nathan is a closer. When you want idea management or want your organization to achieve the next level, Nathan has the ability to see the way forward. He has a great executive presence and a no nonsense style to achieve the win for his clients. I can think of few others in whom I would place total confidence when a client needs to get closure on an initiative.
Mike Heffner
Nathan is the consummate Master Black Belt. His knowledge, skills and professionalism are unparalleled. It was a privilege to work with him.
Rex Groves
Nathan is a closer. When you want idea management or want your organization to achieve the next level, Nathan has the ability to see the way forward. He has a great executive presence and a no nonsense style to achieve the win for his clients. I can think of few others in whom I would place total confidence when a client needs to get closure on an initiative.
Mike Heffner
Nathan is the consummate Master Black Belt. His knowledge, skills and professionalism are unparalleled. It was a privilege to work with him.
Rex Groves
Nathan is a closer. When you want idea management or want your organization to achieve the next level, Nathan has the ability to see the way forward. He has a great executive presence and a no nonsense style to achieve the win for his clients. I can think of few others in whom I would place total confidence when a client needs to get closure on an initiative.
Mike Heffner
Nathan is the consummate Master Black Belt. His knowledge, skills and professionalism are unparalleled. It was a privilege to work with him.
Rex Groves
Nathan is a closer. When you want idea management or want your organization to achieve the next level, Nathan has the ability to see the way forward. He has a great executive presence and a no nonsense style to achieve the win for his clients. I can think of few others in whom I would place total confidence when a client needs to get closure on an initiative.
Credentials
-
Design for Lean Sigma
TBM Consulting Group -
Great Discovery Trainer
SSA & Company -
Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt
Rexam PLC
Experience
-
Circle 6 Consulting, Inc.
-
Business Consulting and Services
-
1 - 100 Employee
-
Managing Partner
-
2006 - Present
I founded and oversee all aspects of a small management consulting firm focused on delivering exceptional value through Lean Six Sigma strategy, training, and execution initiatives. I assemble, develop, and lead high-performing teams through the full project lifecycle, with a focus on developing solutions for clients’ mission-critical issues. I manage all facets of engagements with clients across commercial/government verticals and multiple industries, including: manufacturing; oil & gas; public utilities; private and public healthcare; energy; consumer products; retail; private equity; food and beverage; packaging; non-profit; railroad; professional services; and multiple others. Additionally, we hold prime contracts and subcontract to primary contract holders serving the government and defense industries. Among my achievements: ❖Built and maintained a 15+ year record of successful engagements with scores of clients across dozens of industries and with a broad range of operating environments. Managed a series of Lean Six Sigma deployments and training/coaching that established a framework for ongoing, year-over-year success. ❖Designed and implemented a Lean Six Sigma program in a 20,000 employee, $4B healthcare system that led to over $70M in savings to date. ❖Enabled healthcare organization with 8-9 clinics and ~150 physicians to increase their capacity 2x, paving the way for a 100% revenue increase. Conducted deep-dive analysis and identified areas for significant improvement. Completed highly successful engagement, leading to referral for another key engagement. ❖Worked with a large supplier for the Defense Logistics Agency in a facility optimization project. Pinpointed areas that allowed them to free up 60% of their space. ❖Built a comprehensive Lean Six Sigma training curriculum for multiple disciplines, including Yellow Belt, Green Belt, Black Belt, Master Black Belt, and Executive Leader/Project Sponsor team members.
-
-
-
George Group Consulting L P
-
United States
-
Business Consulting and Services
-
Senior Consultant
-
2006 - 2009
I was hired by the George Group (later Accenture) to plan, develop, and deliver Lean Six Sigma training, mentoring, and infrastructure development. I worked primarily with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army on Lean Six Sigma deployment initiatives, including highly complex and high-cost Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP), and several U.S. Army commands. I worked with the team in leading a series of Kaizen events and training/mentoring activities. Past successes: ❖Played instrumental role in capturing $10M and $15M in hard/soft dollar savings as part of a team effort. Contributed to the planning and leadership of Six Sigma efforts for the U.S. Navy Logistics Command HQ as well as multiple site locations. → Coached executive and senior leaders in creating a sustainable foundation for continuous improvement. → Trained Green Belts, Black Belts, and Master Black Belts on Six Sigma deployment solutions. ❖Assisted the U.S. Army and Navy in Lean initiatives that resulted in their winning of Shingo Prizes. ❖Integral part of the team to setup the U.S. Army's Lean Six Sigma Schoolhouse that led to the execution of projects that saved the Army more than $19.1B.
-
-
-
DESA
-
Manufacturing
-
200 - 300 Employee
-
Director of Design Transformation
-
2005 - 2006
I was brought on board to lead transformational Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing initiatives for New Product Development across 5 divisions of a consumer products company. I instituted the structure, processes, and tools to facilitate successful program and project management across the transformation. I directed Kaizen events that focused on traditional shop floor and transaction-based issues. I am proud to have: ❖Led a full-scale change in the mindset and culture for the team of product engineers and designers. Supported initiatives teams with process, facilitation, problem-solving, transformation, and value creation skills that ensured achievement of required outcomes. ❖Designed and directed construction of an “Innovation Center” facility that provides an environment highly conducive to excellence in new product development and problem resolution. ❖Spearheaded Design for Lean Sigma events that transitioned breakthrough, next-generation products from concept to shop floor production.
-
-
-
Rexam PLC
-
United Kingdom
-
Packaging & Containers
-
700 & Above Employee
-
Master Black Belt and Lean Manufacturing Manager
-
2000 - 2005
I was hired as a Black Belt to work on Lean roll-outs, instructing plant team members on Lean principles and conducting Kaizen events. I earned subsequent promotions to Master Black Belt and Lean Manufacturing Manager, executing large-scale, enterprise-wide projects and coaching/mentoring team members. I traveled internationally in order to work with Rexam counterparts on global-based initiatives. Notably, I: ❖Played key role in generating ~$50M in Six Sigma savings over a 4-year period through exhaustive efforts in training and mentoring over 350 Green Belts and 80 Black Belts. ❖Served as one of the primary architects for the global Lean Six Sigma enterprise. Co-led the Lean team in the Texas manufacturing facility, utilizing 5-S, SMED, Kanban, and other tools to achieve $600K+ savings. ❖Contributed to initiative that was selected as the “Best Six Sigma Project Worldwide” in 2002, representing a joint project that produced over $5M in operational cost savings.
-
-
-
The HON Company
-
United States
-
Furniture and Home Furnishings Manufacturing
-
300 - 400 Employee
-
Manufacturing Engineer and Group Leader
-
1998 - 2000
As Group Leader, I managed team of ~60 direct reports within 20 Kaizen teams in production activities for $250M in annual sales. I spearheaded efforts in achieving productivity, quality, and safety improvement goals as well as 5-S, visual management, and Kanban systems initiatives. I collaborated with the Shingijutsu Consulting Group on nearly half of the Kaizen events. As Senior Manufacturing Engineer, I was brought on board to guide Kaizen-based improvements. I wrote and maintained CNC programs for 4 routers in 3 one-piece flow production lines. Key highlights: ❖From 1998 to 1999 and improved productivity 30%; achieved zero recordable injuries in 1999 vs. 3 in 1998. Consistently exceeded quarterly safety, quality, productivity, and COT goals. ❖Directed over 30 successful Rapid Continuous Improvement (Kaizen) events across multiple areas, including Safe Workplace Design, Kanban, Quality, SMED, TPM, and OEE improvements. ❖Designed and led team in installation of a new production line with 28% higher efficiency performance than the existing production line. Staggered work times to align with production flow. ❖Increased production line productivity 30% by modifying a goal-based incentive program.
-
-
-
Haworth
-
United States
-
Furniture
-
700 & Above Employee
-
Manufacturing Engineer
-
1995 - 1998
I was hired to perform classical IE studies, new product labor and cost estimations, manufacturing workstation design, shop-floor layout, safety regulation implementation, capital equipment justification and implementation, process improvements, MRPII and ERP systems (Engineering modules), and equipment OEE. ❖Led team to standardize bills of materials and developed "Expert Configurator" rules and matrices in MRPII system for four facilities. ❖Represented Engineering department during ISO 9000 certification and TQM implementation.
-
-
Education
-
2008 - 2010
Western Kentucky University
M.B.A., Business Administration -
2008 - 2009
Western Kentucky University
Graduate Certificate - WKU Center for Leadership Studies, Leadership Studies -
1990 - 1995
Western Kentucky University
B.S., Industrial Technology
Community
