Christopher Trower Email & Phone Number

• Provide expertise in supply chain and logistics while leading turnaround efforts in troubled automotive suppliers focusing in the areas of materials, production planning, internal/external logistics, inventory control.
• Direct project plans and interface with Automotive OEM Assembly Plants and Tier 1 & 2 Automotive Suppliers
• Implement daily management systems to review KPIs and ensure efficient and cost-effective operations
• Develop production planning processes utilizing methods including heijunka boards, MRP/ERP systems, and visual schedules
• Focus on improving inventory accuracy by eliminating the root causes of inventory losses and optimizing warehouse space
• Apply milk runs, Kanban pull systems, supermarkets, and sequenced replenishment methods to control the flow of material

Huntsville, AL, US

• Directed procurement, ERP/MRP improvements, product life cycle management, logistics, and inventory control
• Improved the reliability of the MRP system by reviewing all system settings, purchasing parameters, and production routings
• Implemented a process to forecast customer demand to improve on time delivery while reducing time, cost, and inventory
• Leveled customer demand to ensure material availability, improving quoted lead times and production scheduling
• Re-organized the supply chain departments to provide detailed focus on the different phases of the product life cycle
• Developed a team focused on the prototype and launch of new products including system setup allowing the plant level material/production personnel to concentrate on the planning of existing products

Nanterre, Île-de-France, FR

• Production Control & Logistics Improvement Manager (2013—2014); Production Control & Logistics Manager (2012—2013);
• Improved cash flow by reducing inventory levels from $16.8 million (11.2 days on hand) to $11.3 million (7.5 days on hand)
• Lowered operational costs by effectively optimizing warehouse utilization and cutting costs in rent, labor, and transportation
• Monitored capacities against current supply plan to identify potential issues and mitigation of risk
• Developed operational goals and departmental policies and procedures while eliminating wasteful practices
• Created detailed review of short- and long-term customer demand to identify and address capacity constraints and labor requirements

• VP and General Manager (2008—2012); Purchasing Manager (2007—2008)
• Led operations including safety, quality, accounting, manufacturing, sales/marketing, inventory control, and purchasing
• Returned the company to profitability within 3 months as GM and achieved record-high profit margins within 12 months
• Implemented the principles of lean manufacturing to reduce waste, improve quality, and drive profitability
• Performed supply chain functions including placing global orders, capacity planning, and cross-functional coordination
• Adjusted sourcing/model mix to balance sourcing effort, minimize order rejection rate, and meet delivery performance goals

Denver, Colorado, US

• Global Supply Chain Manager-Corporate Purchasing (2002—2007); Materials Manager (2002)
• Led a detailed review of EPDM polymer requirements with technical organizations worldwide
• Highlighted risks and opportunities and developed a plan to dual-source EPDM volume leading to a $500,000 cost reduction
• Implemented a process to extract purchasing data from each plant’s stand-alone purchasing systems
• Developed the North America raw material budget annually and analyzed/explained the Purchase Price Variance (PPV), inventory turns, and cost trends to the executive team monthly

New York, NY, US

• Project Manager (2001 – 2002); AR/Credit & Collections Manager (1999 – 2001); Financial Analysis & Reports Manager (1998 – 1999); Process Change Manager (1998)
• Utilized extensively as an internal consultant to drive continuous process improvements
• Developed the process for preparing the $115 million budget annually, reforecasting the budget quarterly, and reporting the financial results monthly

US

Manufacturing Engineer (1997 – 1998)Process Engineer (1993 – 1997)Quality Engineer (1991 – 1993)

Masters, Business Administration

Bachelor Of Science, Mechanical Engineering