Sam Thompson Email & Phone Number

Bloomington, IL, US

Irvine, CA, US

Irvine, CA, US

Austin, Texas, US

• Achieved the highest rate of output across three production shifts of the Model-3 Semi-Auto Battery Module Team, leading a 218-employee team which averaged 25 car sets worth of battery modules more in output per shift.
• Managed a 145-employee team across four shifts on Model-3 Drive Unit Inverter to achieve an increase in output while reducing labor costs over the course of seven months.
• Led a 124-employee team across two shifts and three lines in the Model-3 Drive Unit Final Assembly to scale a new production line, achieving an increase in productivity over a 10-month period.
• Directed operations and owned business results regarding key performance indicators (KPIs), leading cross-functional divisions to coordinate strategic planning and achieve defined long-term objectives.
• Leveraged Lean and Six Sigma (LSS) methodologies and continuous improvement (CI) principles, designing and instituting key process improvements to deliver cost savings and optimize workflows.
• Supported the creation of productivity plans by reviewing work forecasts, determining performance requirements, and coordinating with key stakeholders to adeptly manage labor and associated costs.

Austin, Texas, US

• Led and navigated a significant transition period of Manual Operations 1.0 involving 100 associates and three core functional areas to achieve nearly commensurate production levels in approximately three weeks with.
• Managed the changeover from prototype manufacturing line to automated lines; engaged in the selection of 14 Lead Production Associates in addition to hiring 45 full-time associates.
• Championed the Tesla Model-3 Battery Module Training Program reconstitution, instituting station-specific training and virtualizing documentation to enhance data tracking and management.
• Promoted a strong culture of ownership at the Production Associate level by reinforcing the primacy of the Manufacturing Instructions at each workstation.
• Introduced root cause analysis (RCA) process across the entire A-shift team, empowering workforce and enhancing complex problem-solving faculties to immensely improve yield and throughput.

Chicago, IL, US

• Managed a 27-person team across three shifts and four lines, ensuring employee safety and establishing KPIs to drive revenue generation, maximize productivity, and grow cross-functional collaboration.
• Identified capital project to automate an ergonomically challenging de-palletizer position that would achieve a payback period of less than 24 months and a projected ROI increase over three years.

Chicago, IL, US

• Drove quality and process improvement initiatives on Kraft single slice lines to achieve a reduction in quality holds and an increase in operational efficiency year-over-year (YOY).
• Continually identified avenues for optimization including equipment enhancement and workflow reorganizations to generate substantial cost savings and bolster operational efficiency.

Chicago, IL, US

• Leveraged Black Belt techniques to isolate key drivers of rework cheese in the individually-wrapped slice cheese department of the largest food manufacturing facility in North and South America.
• Accomplished four-week Kraft Foods Group Black Belt Certification Class, enhancing professional and strategic skillsets to improve operations and support organizational development.

Arlington, Virginia, US

Veteran of Iraq - 2011Veteran of Afghanistan - 2012/2013

Executive Mba

Bachelor Of Science In Business Administration, Accounting And Operations & Supply Chain Management