Operations, Manufacturing Management and Plant Operations Leader, leveraging a time-tested career executing winning operational strategies igniting growth and profitability across the entire organization. Formulates and executes lean principles to reduce waste, cut costs and improve productivity. Exceptional ability to meet challenges head-on and simplify complexities that led to multimillion dollar outcomes. Instrumental in overseeing the entire manufacturing operation evaluating performance, and delegating tasks to achieve desired results. Influential Leader directing customer service, training management, scheduling, staff management, warehouse operations and operational best practices. Recognized for exceeding financial targets and increasing profitability in fast-paced production environments, resulting in bottom line profits and organizational excellence. Operational Turnarounds - Customer Service - Production Process Improvement - Inventory Management & Control - Lean Manufacturing & 5S - Regulatory Compliance - Quality Assurance Programs - Materials Distribution - Scheduling - Systems Integration - Problem-Solving - Team Building & Cross Training - Cross-Functional Collaboration - Staff Management • Conducted a lean initiative reducing the overall scrap rate by 16%. Provided strategic direction and leadership to the team for the installation of 9 new extrusion lines.• Generated an immediate impact by implementing the first Lean Methodologies System and 5S Program that successfully reduced scrap from 14% to 6.5%. Reduced time for equipment setups from 3.5 hours to 30 minutes.• Achieved the plant’s first ISO Certification as well as two follow-up recertifications; recognized as the first Dura-Line facility worldwide to achieve ISO Certification. • Implemented the first Material Resource Planning (MRP) System that eliminated manual processes and improved plant efficiency, order tracking, scheduling, inventory control, and customer service.• Implemented management and leadership efforts that led the plant to recognition as the most profitable division (for nine consecutive years) in the US Dura-Line organization out of eight manufacturing facilities. • Consistently exceeded sales quotas for corrugated packaging. Collaborated with the Engineering Team to provide marketplace insights for new product development.DON LEDFORDKnoxville, TN865.386.2956DonLed59@gmail.com