Rebecca Simmons Email and Phone Number

School of Integrated Sciences, BS of Integrated Science and TechnologyModern Production Issues in Science & Technology, ISAT 211Statistics and Data Science, ISAT 251Foundations of Lean and Six Sigma, ISAT 433Lean Six Sigma Applications, ISAT 435Problem Solving in Production Systems, ISAT 480B.S. in Integrated Science and Technology, The School of Integrated Sciences.Our students and faculty study the application of a broad range of sciences and technologies to problems of current societal importance. Programs in the School of Integrated Sciences

School of Integrated Sciences, BS of Integrated Science and TechnologyModern Production Issues in Science & Technology, ISAT 211Topics in Applied Statistics, ISAT 251Foundations of Lean and Six Sigma, ISAT 433Lean Six Sigma Applications, ISAT 435Problem Solving in Production Systems, ISAT 480

• Coach employees on the implementation of lean manufacturing practices• Lead and facilitate Kaizen events. Completed events include: • Streamline engineering change process • Optimize shipping/receiving warehouse • Reduce downtime at existing work cell • Design new work cell • Implement visual management • Shorten quoting process

• Developed Lean Training Materials and shared the key elements of the Cadence Business System• Organized and led Kaizen Events; results of one event include reduced lead time from 25 days to 7 days and 23% reduction in quality errors.• "Lean Thinking” coach and mentor for production employees, supervisors and managers, leading Value Stream Mapping and 5S efforts• Reenergized the Cadence “Ideas are Free” system; assisting with team development and employee engagement, removing roadblocks to idea implementation and guiding teams in idea generation and execution

Operations Management • Introduced operating practices/models used in services and manufacturing (Product/process design, quality and quality tools, capacity planning, inventory management, project management, facility planning, supply chain management and logistics)• Explored relationships between operations, marketing, management and finance by having student teams develop an integrated business planQuality Management• Analyzed complex problems, generated benefits and eliminated waste through application of both Six Sigma and Lean Principles• Utilized tools common to quality/process improvement such as the seven basic tools of quality as well as the use of Excel for statistical analysis• Explored the managerial challenges and opportunities associated with quality programs and/or implementing changes that result from process improvement programsBusiness Process Management (MBA Course)• Described and applied a systematic process/methodology for successful execution of a Six Sigma project (DMAIC or DMADV) utilizing tools such as Project Charters, Process Mapping, the Seven Basic Quality Tools and Excel for statistical analysis• Practiced project management, interpersonal and communication skills, while applying change management strategies and reflective judgmentBusiness Statistics• Utilized excel to present and summarize both qualitative and quantitative data• Explored how to construct and analyze samples to make meaningful inferences about a population, and analyze the credibility of claims made about populations or pairs of populations by othersQuality and Process Improvement in Action (Honors Seminar)• Used quality tools, Six Sigma and/or Lean to execute a process improvement project to cut costs, reduce waste, increase efficiency, increase the quality of a product or service, or improve operating processes for local non-profits and businesses• Studied variation and problem solving techniquesFaculty Advisor, Phi Chi Theta Business Fraternity

• Coordinated competitive product testing to evaluate performance of three brands, including analysis and summary documentation of over thirty tests• Wrote testing protocols for destructive GR&R tests, observed test methods and analyzed results• Performed routine data analysis, examined outliers and documented findings

Standard Work• Oversaw documentation of standard work practices and established guidelines for the writing of standard work• Led standard work management review and approval process• Established and implemented documentation control proceduresVisual Production Boards• Created visual workplace display boards, data collection process and procedure for daily, weekly, quarterly and annual updates• Developed a “report card” to summarize and track key performance indicators for each sub-assembly area and production line• Coached supervisors and production managers on utilization of the report card to connect plant-wide annual performance goals to work area and individual performanceValue Stream Team Meetings• Implemented “issues log” at morning production meeting to record action items and establish individual accountability • Established daily “issues log” review, focusing on timely resolution or assignment of concerns to improvement teams• Implemented new format for weekly value stream team meeting based on key performance metrics captured on the report card• Established “focus area” for each weekly value stream team meeting (quality, parts/purchasing, production/staffing, engineering or safety)

• Direct and manage business support operations (contract administration, procurement, logistics, material resource planning and other related functions) • Articulate and champion a team vision to drive continuous improvement and value creation• Coordinate quarterly sessions with operations to align team priorities with operational priorities for quantifiable results • Identify and implement processes to improve Sourcing and Logistics and reduce costs • Interface with Site Resident Contractors to administer policies, set strategies and assist Operating areas to achieve success with Resident Contractors • Represent site/operations perspective to Corporate Sourcing and Legal regarding contract terms and conditions; request contract changes to reflect operational changes • Partner with Corporate Sourcing to explore alternate vendors, second source suppliers and leverage contracts to deliver cost savings to the site • Manage and mentor Exempt and Non-Exempt personnel

• Collaborate with owners to establish production targets, strategic objectives and priorities• Manage production operations to meet both daily requirements and strategic objectives • Identify, research and recommend business initiatives; execute implementation; facilitate updates and communication• Supervise Maintenance, HR Manager, Purchasing Coordinator, Production Supervisor(s) and hourly personnel• Develop employees with coaching, training and feedback; identify and resolve performance issues• Research, create, implement and modify production policies• Determine annual safety, quality and production targets; coach and mentor employees to achieve goals• Design and implement new programs to improve production efficiency and safety• Monitor key performance indicators, identify new metrics resulting from operational, strategic or market changes

• Collaborated with division manager to identify business improvement initiatives, prioritize projects and establish goals• Designed, administered and analyzed customer satisfaction survey; identified and ranked customer priorities, implemented process improvements• Led Six Sigma project teams, analyzed data, selected and implemented improvements; monitored actual results versus targets • Developed comprehensive recruitment, selection and hiring processes, revised orientation and job specific training, documented job descriptions and requirements• Coordinated standardization of routine preventative maintenance • Created current state production process maps, implemented process improvementsProject Results• Reduced production setup time by over 50% • Reduced finished goods breakage costs by $50,000 annually• Improved accuracy of job cost estimating generating $80,000 annual savings• Automated job scheduling • Implemented new ERP software

• Organized annual alumni reunion weekend consisting of ten events and 7 class reunions, including registration and individual event coordination (attended by over 400 individuals)• Maintained alumni portion of school of law website• Collaborated with 13 alumni volunteers to organize various alumni chapter events• Recruited and coordinated 69 alumni volunteers to place calls to over 475 admitted students to encourage their consideration of an offer of admission to the law school• Orchestrated dedication of 21,000 square foot North Wing addition to the law school• Coordinated co-counsel mentoring program, design/mailing of solicitation brochure, student American Bar Association Membership, holiday mailing and various other projects/events• Provided quarterly “class notes” updates for alumni magazine and web site

• Organized college wide program board to plan, implement and execute an integrated campus-wide calendar • Coached individual students on professional and personal development • Increased participation on student board through restructuring, training and marketing • Coordinated campus-wide events such as Homecoming, Spring Weekend, the lecture/concert series, orientation and preview day• Directed graduate assistant in the design and implementation of leadership skills workshops• Recruited, selected and trained student workers and volunteers to staff college union spaces, participate on student activity board, work as conference assistances and provide event support• Administered all aspects of summer conference/camps program• Supervised administrative assistant, graduate assistant and student employees• Created bimonthly student activities newsletter• Managed college union facilities