Nichole Williams Email and Phone Number

I’m the Continuous Improvement Manager of a foam mattress manufacturing facility in Baldwyn, MS and an ASQ certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt with a BS in Chemical Engineering.I came to FXI Inc in Baldwyn, MS (formerly Innocor Inc) as the Quality and Continuous Improvement Manager. The Quality department was in need of a strong leader who could create standards and defined roles and balance exceptional quality with maximum production output. I’m thankful to be able to also utilize the Lean and Six Sigma skills I developed earlier in my career. In 2020, FXI acquired our plant and in anticipation of a strong CI focus, my role was divided and I accepted the new title of Continuous Improvement Manager. Previously, I spent five years at Cooper Tire, progressing in my knowledge of Lean and Six Sigma, from green belt to master black belt. During my first year, I was responsible for leading waste reduction efforts across three departments. I also led a DFSS project to redesign a process used across those same three departments which resulted in the elimination of a piece of equipment and maximized existing under-utilized resources. As a Black Belt, I lead variation reduction efforts in the rubber mixing department, providing updates to our US team biweekly. In addition, I served as a mentor and lead classes for black, green, and yellow belts. In 2015 & 2016, I lead our plant's 10th and 11th waves of green belt training, which included everything from training logistics, to compiling materials, and hosting the training. In 2016, I accepted the position of Master Black Belt and transitioned to mentoring all of our active black belts (plus one black belt in our Clarksdale, MS facility). I continued to mentor green and yellow belts, teach at black belt training, and lead our plant’s green belt training. I also lead a DFSS project to redesign the Receiving Department to meet VDA standards for our first potential original equipment client.In 2016, I was selected as an Emerging Leader by the Manufacturing Institute's STEP Ahead Awards, which recognizes women in manufacturing. I was also one of two honorees asked to speak during the awards ceremony in Washington DC.