Keith Burks Email & Phone Number

New York, New York, Us

Creating innovative products to enhance health and wellbeing.

Memphis, Tennessee, Us

Jonesboro, Arkansas, Us

Brought in to establish programs for SQF maintenance. I oversee all quality aspects of a rice mill that does milling and packaging. I currently have 1 supervisor and 14 in-direct reports. I am responsible for food safety, pest control, quality validation, environmental testing, and rice quality testing. • Implemented new programs to enhance sanitation activities. • Received a score of 99 on the most recent SQF audit. This was the highest score in the history of the company. • Established new standard operation procedures in the Mill which have resulted in a 15% reduction in yield loss.

Chicago, Illinois, Us

Brought on board to develop and execute production schedules based on daily business demands of a large manufacturing facility that blends 2300+ different seasonings and ships globally. Manages seven supervisors and 129 additional in-direct reports; accountable for a $3.5M+ annual budget and P/L. Leads recruiting, hiring, staff development, and performance evaluations; spends 30% of the day on the shop floor. ➣ Developed cost improvement projects that reduced production costs by 34% and waste by 13%.➣ Designed and implemented an audit quality control process company-wide. ➣ Created multiple safety teams to ensure the safest work environment possible with a focus on a zero- accident culture; comply with all OSHA regulations. ➣ Leverages the Kanban scheduling system to enable standardization of practices within departments.➣ Established Kaizen events to promote continuous improvement and lean methods, team building, and root cause analysis. ➣ Works closely with vendors and distributors; negotiates all contracts as needed.

Melbourne, Au

Promoted rapidly to Sr. Production Manager with six supervisors and 135+ direct hourly reports; accountable for a budget and a $5M+ annual P/L. Spearheaded effort to move the entire operations to a new facility; coordinated transfer of all staff that included hiring 300+ new employees over 60 days. ➣ Championed and implemented Lean Manufacturing methodologies company-wide; created the training plans for every operator position at the new facility. ➣ Achieved a 30% reduction in staff while maintaining the same level/quality of production by leveraging a time study to reduce labor costs.➣ Increased efficiency in the RTS Department (Ready to Serve) from 86% to 92% and reduced quality holds by 23% from FY’15 – FY’16. ➣ Oversaw all thermal operations in the RTS department; achieved a thermal processing certification. ➣ Designed and rolled out a detailed engineering and maintenance plans for all machinery installations.

Melbourne, Au

Oversaw and managed a team of 30 at the main plant; led all interviewing, hiring, and training for the team. Spearheaded all safety and regulation training for all staff; ordered all department supplies and provided input on sourcing/purchasing new equipment. Achieved test control certification. ➣ Successfully led the department to exceed 85% production for 12 consecutive years. ➣ Ensured all scheduled production demands were on time and budget.

Melbourne, Au

In charge of 125K sq. ft. warehouse and five direct reports; accountable for the logistics of managing/verifying 20 truckloads (600 pallets) of incoming raw materials daily.➣ Created and implemented a new database to make it easier to track/manage product and transactions coming in and out of the warehouse. ➣ Scheduled the safe transportation of raw materials to the production area; ensured all warehouse policies and procedures were met.

Melbourne, Au

Promoted to Team lead to oversee eight Technicians; provided ongoing training and mentoring of the team. Traveled in the territory with company leadership to visit rice suppliers to confirm product quality.➣ Conceptualized, developed, and implemented a new way to inspect railcars that increased the speed of the approval process to accept and receive products; improved approval process from three railcars a day to seven per day.

Melbourne, Au

Performed product checks at various stages of production; randomly checked packaging to verify integrity

Melbourne, Au

In charge of non-commissioned Officer training; Instructor certified and attended three leadership schools.➣ Deployed in 2002 – 2003 as part of Operation Noble Eagle.➣ Recognized for leading the #1 platoon in the brigade.

Arlington, Virginia, Us

Master In Business Administration (Mba), Operations Management

Master Of Education (M.Ed.), Education

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), Criminology