Eric Cates Email & Phone Number

Shelbyville Tennessee

Led process development engineers, process sustaining engineers, maintenance / facility technicians, quality technicians and the maintenance of a five hundred thousand square foot facility. Developing and maintaining advanced automated assembly & packaging systems for use in the writing instrument industry. • Quality Manager – Led improvement in internal and external DPPM and internal scrap generation resulting in internal DPPM reduction of 50% and implementation of robust external corrective action request process.• New Product Introduction - Managed multiple simultaneous new product programs to result in smooth introductions with zero product related line stoppages, meeting cost targets, with exceptional quality. • Project Management - Managed multiple capital equipment projects for productivity and capacity initiatives to include generation of the appropriation request, project management and forecasting the flow of capital funds.• Manufacturing Engineering – Provided labor costing, facility layouts, machine and tooling capacity analysis, capital plan development, and maintenance management function. • Regulatory responsibility for Ink Manufacturing, Manchester Tn. (2011– 2013). - Provided site environmental and security function for chemical manufacturing facility including all reporting and interface with regulators. TDEC, EPA, TTB, DOT, FAA, IMDG, and DHS.• Led restructuring project transitioning product assembly and packaging lines to other domestic and international locations.

Mcminnville Tennessee

Led manufacturing engineers and maintenance technicians in support of manufacturing departments. Led facility technicians in sustaining functionality of a one million square foot facility. Provided support for the fabrication of sheet metal, copper tube, wire, tube-in-fin heat exchanger components, and fourteen assembly lines with an operating budget of over $12M.• Led 3 cross functional engineering push teams in transitioning product assembly lines and fabrication processes during plant closure to domestic and international manufacturing sites.• Achieved productivity improvements of 5% YOY.• Developed and managed engineering, maintenance, and facilities operating budget.• Implemented Injury Prevention team concept, to reach plant wide improvements in TRIR by 45% percent and LWIR by 9%.• Developed and maintained 5 year facility / capital plans.• Achieved warranty cost reduction of 47% percent.• Improved responsiveness and flexibility of the maintenance resources in the support of production operations.

Bachelor'S Degree, Industrial Engineering

Associate'S Degree, Pre-Engineering