Darrell Graves Email & Phone Number

Caterpillar, Building Kk, East Peoria Illinois

Member of the PFEP (Plan for Every Part) group. Worked through intricate workbook system to the point it was a trusted and usable OPACC savings tool. Lead the team with 43 suppliers completed culminating in in 2.3 million dollars in total annual savings. Analyzed over 680 part numbers and alleviated over 380 touches within their flow paths. Updated MEPS (Manufacturing Enterprise Packaging System) with all new and existing packaging information for all parts worked. I am the "go to" for all shop projects involving new parts or movement of parts requiring a new plan or fixtures. Supporting new warehouse "NODE" system by correcting over 200 packaging / quantity mismatches found within the facility. Processed over 180 engineering change packages prior to effective dates. Acted as Mentor to 6 Caterpillar managers within the framework of the Caterpillar Mentoring Program. In 2015, worked 344 part numbers from 72 suppliers through the PFEP process which created $67K in annual OPACC savings. Helped in reworking three assembly flow lines in efforts to streamline the process and create additional space required for FIFO of over 150 new part numbers as well as make room for assembly tooling.

Building Kk, East Peoria Illinois

Supervised 6 employees whom maintained 100% Engineering Packages completed ahead of effective dates, 100% Continuous Improvement cards closed within 30 days with no POU hits (down from 648 issues the prier year) and with no safety issues. Personally took on a critical machine durability issue and was able, in a truncated amount of time, add 125 new parts to an existing line. The group reused racks and parts of racks to keep POU racking functional. Took multiple bids for new fixtures and installation labor for larger jobs while creating nomenclature and signage for all of assembly. Helped create $560K in savings by bringing in new product builds to the existing torque converter lines. Worked to homogenize containers throughout the facility to greatly lessen the need for repack. Periodically resized purchased finished and H2K recipes to better reflect fluctuating demand

Building Kk, East Peoria Illinois

Continued weekend Logistics Supervision which encompassed the entire facility and both the shipping and receiving docks. Took on 2 full time rack auditors culminating in updated and corrected signage throughout the facility. Within a 3 month period, all areas of assembly had been audited, new tags and strips installed, and over 800 rack issues uncovered and corrected. As a result, POU issues virtually disappeared. Took on parts rack health which upgraded and expanded available rack storage space while lessening the potential of contamination. Designed a system of fixing or replacing damaged racks while maintaining signage and FIFO integrity which averted assembly "Stop to Fix" scenarios. The state of POU part signage for 5,500 part numbers with 22,000 locations was completely revamped complete with 100% replacement of all sign holding strips. Continued H2K conversions in 3 waves converted over 1000 parts numbers from purchased finished to ILC. Became H2K subject matter expert for East Peoria, Dyersburg and Joliet.

Building Kk, East Peoria Illinois

Oversaw the efforts of 3 analysts and 2 auditors. Worked engineering changes and NPI Pilot packages ahead of builds. Often entailed reconfiguring storage racks and floor plans to accommodate influx of new parts. Group determined how new parts were to be presented to the lines by location, container and quantity. Created and maintained parts supermarkets where line side locations were insufficient. Proactively worked through ongoing NIOSH issues. Removed obsolete parts to free up space through maintaining the Flag Report process. Parts racks were up-kept and signage created and maintained. This group took on documenting all floor locations in assembly which alleviated the necessity of tribal knowledge when bringing material to the lines. Maps were created and all parts were routed to real, documented, locations there after.

Building Kk, East Peoria Illinois

Served as weekend facility superintendent for Logistics on 50 consecutive Saturdays as well as several Sundays. Over-saw the work of material handlers for the flow lines and stalls as well as the high-rise, repack and both incoming and outgoing docks. Brought into Supply Chain Planning group and was immediately assigned to be the Green Belt lead in the H2K project(Hand Held 2 Box Kan Ban). This enable the movement of material from Purchased Finished to prepackaged H2K. This fledgling concept was created from the ground up and it was necessary to bring together TBU, ILC, Morton and Dyersburg. It was proved out as being robust and was soon replicated to other Caterpillar facilities.

Building Kk, East Peoria Illinois

Managed 15-25 individuals working throughout the facility at any given time. The areas of coverage included 5 assembly flow lines and 10 assembly stalls in the capacity of material handling, product checkout, and incoming/ outgoing docks. Prioritized resources and determined overtime needs. Documentation toward disciplinary action was kept and implemented. Ensured necessary parts and kits were distributed in a timely and efficient manner. Worked to improve processes and reduce costs by eliminating non-value added activities. Spearheaded implementation of various corporate initiatives such as 5S, CPS,, and 6 Sigma. Monitor and improve safety conditions on the docks and shop floor. Evaluate, assess and identify training needs of direct reports thereby ensuring effective utilization of the workforce. Managed through conversion from third party logistics to Caterpillar employees and back to a new third party logistics company during this volatile year and a half time frame. Did formal evaluations for 40+ Cat employees as they became due.

Building Kk, East Peoria Illinois

Required the timely scheduling of arrangement build derived from customer demand for both Building KK and Dyersburg facilities. Worked with material planning, purchasing, releasing, accounting, engineering, quality, IT, processing and assembly. Decisions impact labor efficiencies and inventory at all levels of the supply chain internally, as well as customer satisfaction externally. Personally scheduled the following transmissions:Medium Wheel loadersMedium motor gradersMedium track typeAG Gen IIILarge wheel loadersCompactorsLarge motor gradersWheel tractor scrapers Was point of contact for all questions or problems for the corresponding customers to the above transmissions and these included, Building SS, Decatur, Aurora, Brazil, AGCO, Gossolies, Elphinstone, South Africa, LaGrange, Morton and the newly acquired China. During this time, took over additional scheduling duties of the Leland facility upon its closure, set up Big 3 on pull triggers, set up LaGrange facility as a new Forrest Products customer, Set up China as a new motor grader customer, helped accomplish transmission build moves from Building KK to Dyersburg, was test desk and contributor to the new "Enhanced Scheduling System", and helped train 7 new master schedulers.

Building Kk, East Peoria Illinois

Responsible for the timely procurement of material from suppliers, scheduling orders, maintaining lead times, maintaining lot sizes and scheduling independent demand. Was required to work with releasing and engineering departments to ensure that material plans supported the implementation of new product releases, engineering changes and prove design parts. Coordinated with several other departments including purchasing, accounting, quality and assembly. Reviewed all part numbers under purview and made modifications that were needed to optimize order lot sizes for purchased finished parts. Was able to identify$368K of savings by reducing lot sizes accordingly. Reviewed independent demand and inventory minimums to eliminate unnecessary safety stock which eliminated $71K of on hand inventory.

Building Kk, East Peoria Illinois

Hired in at Cat as a radial drill operator and advanced to a CNC mill, drill, bore operator. Became qualoified of setting up and running the following machines:CimX Changer CNC DrillMazak CNC DrillBurg Master CNC DrillRadial DrillBalancerLiebherr 401 HobsSmall ShaversAssorted burr machines and washers.Was recipient of two Pride Awards for Team Work

Peoria Illinois

Industrial sales representative calling on all kinds of manufacturing concerns, selling and maintaining Duo-Fast pneumatic tools and fasteners, and representing product lines of 38 other companies. Responsibilities included setting up dealers for Duo-Fast products, maintaining the business growth of existing accounts, cultivating new business, and negotiating price and services. Territory covered half of Illinois and parts of Iowa.

Bloomington Il., Peoria Il, Milwaukee Wi, Washington Il

Implemented and supported company-wide programs to maximize retail unit profits. Duties included planning, scheduling and supervising the operations of store personnel. Hiring functions included on-campus interviewing and advertised hiring assemblies. Ongoing responsibilities involved training, evaluating and overall development of employees along with ordering, merchandising, and maintaining a proper mix of inventory. Formal teaching assignments as well as numerous sales seminar presentations were often required. Monthly scrutinized Profit and Loss statements and Expense Summaries for a better understanding of positive and negative trends.Received seven promotions to higher sales volume storesSelected as District, Manager of the Month (5 times)Selected as Regional manager of the Month (Chicago Region)Divisional sales Contest Winner (4 times)Selected to construct and open new Radio Shack location.

Bachelor’S Degree, Business Management With A Minor In Economics

Activities and Societies: American Marketing Assoc., Intramural Sports

Supply Chain Planning, Competed All 5 Apics Classes

High School, Top 10% Of 700 Seniors

Activities and Societies: Member National Honor Society, Varsity Basketball, Varsity Football, JV Baseball, Intramural basketball referee