Daniel Kirk Email & Phone Number

Wayzata, Minnesota, Us

Memphis, Tn, Us

Business unit operations leader of all Human Resources (HR) and Compliance functions responsible for serving 1300 full and contract employees over four manufacturing locations. Led a team of HR, Training and Safety personnel with an annual budget responsibility of $20MM+ and $55MM+ in compensation.  Reduced recordable injury rates by 25% YOY with a WC savings of $100K+/ year by transforming the safety department into an impactful team via Kaizen activities that directly affected organizational growth and production goals.  Business unit SME and project manager for SAP and HRIS platform conversions of active and historical data with new company ownership.  Implemented Lean activities and approaches across the organization resulting +8% employee satisfaction scoring, +15% compliance audit scoring, and zero hiring policy findings.  Company creator and holder for initial COVID response plan and procedures that resulted in COVID infection rates of less than 10% of comparable companies.

Company Leader in the planning, organization, and implementation of customer service strategies with annual budget responsibility of $8M+ over multiple manufacturing locations. Implemented Lean methodologies and collaborated with cross-functional leadership teams to increase revenue, profits, and market share while minimizing expenses.  Recovered over $200K+/year and improved finished product first pass defect rate from 10% to <.5% by instituting Kaizen methodologies across the network. Achieved first ZERO major SQF audit findings by implementing a TPM style SQF compliance program and process to ensure audit readiness.  Served as the point of contact for both in house and contract manufacturing. Partnered directly with a leading national grocer to ensure satisfaction while managing costs, quality control and product changes.  Expertly led crisis management product recall by collaborating with regulatory authorities and directing all internal and external communication efforts to mitigate risk and reputation damage.

Memphis, Tn, Us

Head of team members across Safety, Quality Control, and Human Resources departments to ensure full compliance with all applicable laws and policies over network manufacturing locations.  Drove savings of $75K+/year by reducing off-cycle payroll requests by 45% and immigration documentation compliance errors by 97% by use of LEAN methodologies.  Negotiated a 70% regulatory fine reduction for a lost time accident by thoroughly investigating the incident, sharing findings, and auditing additional facilities.  Mitigated companywide risk by developing and implementing network annual work plans, risk assessment tools, compliance committees, and management support mechanisms. Conducted professional investigations to update policies and procedures that enforced codes of conduct.

Memphis, Tn, Us

Champion and coach of the facility wide startup and P&L responsibility for a cost-plus contract operation including production, maintenance, quality, human resources, warehousing, cost control, on a greenfield case-ready plant. Developed and implemented policies, programs, and objectives for 550+ personnel across two shifts with daily shipping/receiving to produce $10M+ in profit based on volume.  Recruited, hired, onboarded and trained top talent to fill 400+ positions within the first year. Mentored and coached numerous team members to promotions including the new Plant Manager, Director of Maintenance, Director of Quality, and Operations Manager.

Directed all operations and corn wet milling facility functions of the world’s largest high fructose food plant. Led 300+ direct hire and contract personnel across Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, Administration and P&L responsibilities with sales revenue of $350M+. Realized a 5% reduction in operation costs ($200K+) and 10% in fixed costs ($3.5MM+) by utilizing Lean principles and applications.  Mitigated tacit knowledge loss due to significant workforce retirements by implementing a 6-month recruitment and training plan, allowing each new team member to learn from tenured staff before their exit.

Promoted to lead operations personnel for syrup refinery, crystalline fructose, corn wet mill, and utility operations.  Served as Site Implementation Manager for the SAP upgrade, assisting with data migration, preparing and delivering cutover plan to the new system.  Built cross-functional partnerships with Commodities, Sales, Marketing, Accounting, and Administration to effectively manage relationships with suppliers and customers. Led all crisis communications to ensure rapid recovery.

London, England, Gb

Leverkusen, North Rhine-Westphalia, De

Responsible for supply chain management of both Bayer and toll facilites in the U.S. and central America. These duties included safety, quality, cost, distribution and personnel development for the FiberMax cotton seed division.

Leverkusen, North Rhine-Westphalia, De

Mba, Leadership, Management

Bs, Chemical Engineering

Education record