Michael Bates Email & Phone Number

Myrtle Grove, La

Houston, Texas, United States

Reserve, Louisiana

Responsible for management of grain production/inventory and vessel, barge, and rail logistics throughout the plant. It involves daily production planning, measurement and execution. This position also involves coordination with Minneapolis merchandising team as well as working very closely with the trade execution group, GIPSA/FGIS, barge fleets, and vessel agencies.Additionally, this position is an integral member of the local plant leadership team as it plays a key role in the overall direction of the plant and leading Operational Excellence in Risk Management, Reliability Excellence, Talent Management, Operational Efficiency, and Capital Efficiency.

Westwego, Louisiana

Assist Plant Manager and Superintendent in managing the overall facility production and maintenance functions which included managing environmental health and safety programs, plant sanitation, grain and quality controls, grain inventory, logistics, stocks management and annual weigh-ups. Broader accountabilities included personnel training & development, leading and supervising exempt and non-exempt employees, labor negotiations and cost/capital budgeting.

Westwego, La

-Manage a team of 15 production supervisors and 85 hourly employees at a location that operates 24/7.-Lead safety meetings and oversee the training & administrative needs of the Union employees to include scheduling, pay issues, performance evaluations & disciplinary action when needed and lead grievance & arbitration issues with the Union.-Coordinate with the Grain Superintendent to ensure timely unloading of grain by rail and barge & loading of the vessels to meet the production demands of the elevator. Rotate weekend duties of the Grain Superintendent and also fill in when the Grain Superintendent and Asst. Superintendent are absent, covered shifts for Supervisors in the Control Room, Stevedoring and Outside Foreman. -Lead projects including writing commitments and getting bids. -Coordinate with the maintenance department to schedule downtime of critical equipment for repairs and PM’s, approval of level 1 Hot Work and Confined Space permits. -Develop newly hired Supervisors by ensuring they become knowledgeable in Company policies, FGIS grain grading regulations, EHS & OSHA regulations, and Food Safety requirements. -Manage the Supervisor schedule, lead Supervisor meetings, give open candid feedback to Supervisors for development, hands on training through various Supervisor positions, PMP’s, PIP’s and disciplinary action when needed.

Westwego, La

-Review, monitor, and report key area results for plant production-Manage production to meet performance objectives such as grain inventory, grain conditioning, and stocks reporting-Communicate with tug on a timely manner to spot product that is needed to keep production going-Responsible for quality control of product going out to vessels via load orders-Serves as a mentor for newly hired supervisors-Leader of Safety Managed a crew of about 20-30 crew members/contractors each shift-Led safety meetings and safety training weekly, monthly, and annually -Monitored conditions of facility and manage personnel accordingly-Scheduled and motivated employees to perform day to day tasks -Participated in interviewing/hiring process for hourly employees-Responsible for 6-8 hourly employees performance evaluations