Don Smolinski Email & Phone Number

Buffalo, New York, United States

Coordinate and direct all manufacturing and warehouse plant functions, maintain good employee relations, and meet all budgetary objectives. Responsible for the execution of all operations including production, planning, shipping, receiving and safety, all in conformance with PDI policies and applicable regulatory requirements. Responsible for the coordination and communication of the operations forecast, including the identification of key financial operation risks. Support all strategic efforts to generate new sales and maintain the existing customer base. Establish strong working relations with Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, Finance, Business Development and Human Resources leadership.•Reduced past-due order value by 90% in 2024, bringing the total from $2.4 MM to $245 M by the end of October.•Decreased quality issues for top tier customer from 3342 PPM in May 2024 to 362 PPM in October 2024•Developed a Glidepath plan to reduce backlog units for our primary customer from 18,141 units in June to under 3,000 by end of year. Currently tracking ahead of schedule and should hit target by end of November.•Retooled existing training program from a task based focus to a foundational, progressive model•Established primary department communication meetings between Manufacturing, Engineering and Quality to focus on key projects impacting business health•Manage all plant operations with overall responsibilities for production, warehouse and other production-related activities•Oversee manufacturing supervisors and employees to ensure proper job scheduling and adequate plant staffing•Ensure quality and consistency of product, improve efficiencies, and control/reduce waste and associated costs throughout plant operations •Participate in the development of work processes and measurements to improve efficiencies and product quality reliability •Develop operating metrics for plant to communicate daily operating efficiencies as part of visual management process

Depew, New York, United States

Manages operations from order receipt through fulfillment to effectively meet customer delivery schedules in the most cost efficient way and by fully engaging associates. Responsible for all aspects of building and equipment maintenance. Supports the strategic pillars of Operational Excellence, Exceptional Service and being an Employee of Choice through decisions and actions.•Project developer and Primary leader of a $9.1 Million investment in a Print Production Line which increases capacity with greater flexibility and response in an ever changing supply chain. The new print line will increase throughput from 1.2 million units to over 8.1 million units annually.•Developed a packing process that allows for quicker response time for B2C order fulfillment. This process initiated a new bookclub program for Children that has shipped over 2.25 Million packages to date since its inception in 2018 while allowing us to maintain stringent Service Level Agreements (SLA)•Increased production capacity by over 55% for one 3PF client. This was accomplished by retooling several packaging machines to accommodate the unique size of this 3PF’s component products.•Driver of double digit, year over year efficiency improvements in our DTC business. From 2020 to 2022, performance in this channel has improved by over $130,000.•Establish appropriate manufacturing priorities to achieve targets for B2C channels. Specifically, evaluate priorities to ensure on-time delivery performance across several order streams.•Supports a collaborative and positive culture which engages associates to be eager participants in a change-ready environment which furthers our endeavor to be an Employer of choice.•Responsible for creating and executing facility improvement projects including equipment installations, relocation and decommissioning•Ensures that environmental, safety, 6S, security and other compliance programs are maintained and supported throughout the plant.

Buffalo, Ny

Habasit is the worldwide leader in the belting industry. Our customer-driven approach makes Habasit the best provider of high-quality power transmission and conveying solutions for every application.Direct the activities of multiple departments and shifts in the manufacture of industrial belting using complex assembly and fabrication methods. Accomplishments while at Habasit:•Developed a change-over process utilizing Lean Manufacturing principals that saved the company over $1 Million annually by combining proven processes into one streamlined workflow•Core Project Team member responsible for the repurposing of existing equipment that increased our throughput capacity by 40%•Work directly with the Engineering staff on product creation for B2B customers such as FedEx, Amazon and Dematic systems•Responsible for writing and implementing ISO 9000 work instructions•Work with local First Responders on compliance and monitoring systems•Maintain existing plant facilities and equipment; replace and/or make adjustments to plant facilities and equipment when necessary•Responsible for leading safety training, initiatives and compliance for the local divisionImplement and sustain preventative maintenance programs

Buffalo/Niagara, New York Area

Blizzard Enterprises was started in the summer of 2007 and focused on the retail sale of high end ice cream novelties at various events around Western New York. During that time, we became specialists in the storage and transportation of ice cream novelties.Vending machine service was started in January of 2011. In addition to our own machines, we serviced and stocked ice cream machines for other vending companies.

Buffalo, Ny

The Mass Market Division was a $100M / 650+ employees (union) / 900K+ sq. ft. operating division of Quad Graphics, an international commercial printing company. This division printed mass market paperback books plus retail inserts, magazines, and coupon books with in-plant mailing and distribution capabilities. Following acquisition by Quad Graphics, the plant closed in 2012.Retained to serve as principal on-site director, managing the plant closure and relocation and/or removal of remaining equipment. Primary local contact for multiple outside parties involved, including Quad Graphics representatives, demolition crews and equipment buyers. Coordinated activities to maintain safety, environmental compliance, security, and efficiency plus communications with all parties involved.Communicated and facilitated the transfer of work, materials and equipment from the Buffalo plant to newer production plants across the U.S.; assisted plants with scheduling and customer communications, and the transfer of raw materials, inventories, and customer files.

Buffalo, Ny

Member of the division's senior management team; second-in-command and principal support to the division VP/GM. Led team of production managers and supervisors, account managers / customer service representatives, and support staff; held all production personnel accountable for daily safety, quality and production goals. Principal on-site Customer and Sales Department contact accountable for customer satisfaction. * Provided strategic division and department leadership with accountability for budget-management, cost control, customer-satisfaction, quality, labor-relations and staffing.* Conducted short and long term production forecasting and equipment planning - maximizing plant capabilities and profitability based on customer-provided estimates and historical data.* Led daily production meeting to review and modify equipment and manpower scheduling needs. Directed and prioritized activities of the Account Management, Distribution, Material Handling, Scheduling, and Production Departments.* Led, trained, coached, mentored, and cross-trained personnel in multiple functions division-wide. * Conducted annual Customer Seminar (40-60 attendees) to educate key customers on the process of book making and distribution.

Buffalo, Ny

Member of division leadership team assigned to lead and direct cross-functional areas and manage a team of 39 journey-persons within a union environment. Maintained cost-effective operations, including prepress, cylinder-manufacturing, and photopolymer plating functions.* Point person for labor, union and workforce concerns; formed task forces to collaborate on solutions and ensure mandated practices and contract terms were maintained. * Wrote and revised ISO procedures and work instructions for increased production and compliance.* Identified, assessed, documented and reported ISO 9001 non-compliance and quality issues within department; recommended corrective action. Identified and facilitated training of personnel.* Reduced budget by $300,000 annually after proposing and spearheading implementation of new state-of-the-art computer-to-plate workflow system (Creo Prinergy).* Received "Employee of the Quarter" award and member of the Division's Health and Safety Team.

Derby, Ny

Provided creative direction to a 12-person team while developing production schedules to meet all necessary deadlines. Conducted troubleshooting and repair of Mac and Windows systems. * Designed sales tools and multimedia presentations to support sales personnel.* Increased efficiency of order-management process by creating and implementing tracking system.