Steve Ferguson Email & Phone Number

Dubuque, Iowa, United States

Dubuque, Iowa, United States

Dubuque, Iowa, United States

Led team of buyers responsible for sourcing in support of PDP (new product) programs.

Dubuque, Iowa

Supervising a high performance team of buyers focused on service parts associated with partner (joint venture) products.

Supply Management Specialist focused on Capital Equipment, Engineering Services, and Energy / Utilities for John Deere's Construction & Forestry Division in Dubuque, Iowa.

Managed team of three salary employees, focused solely on indirect material, mobilized to lead and coordinate wind-down and decommissioning efforts in departments that were ceasing production.Managed crib stores operations across three shifts, including physical inventory, receipt and disbursement transactions, and inventory management software maintenance. Functioned as local liaison for indirect purchasing vendor contracted to support plant operations. Managed re-grind operations, providing re-sharpened cutting tools to minimize replacement expense.Plant Lead for Indirect and Direct Material Cost Improvement effort including responsibility for common database initiative tracking, coordination of cross-functional idea generation workshops, and interfacing with corporate staff and other facilities to communicate best practices and assist in coordination of information and activities,

Site leader for the cross-functional product and process change implementation team coordinating with approximately 60 Change Owners across three product lines maintaining compliance to corporate standards.• Reduced backlogged open change notices 50% within the first six months of my assignment.• Decreased the site’s average implementation timing to a rate 50% shorter than the divisional average.• Ensured 100% compliance to corporate standards for training of all Board Members and Change Owners.• Accomplished ultimate goal of zero formal customer complaints associated with a change implementation.

Individual assignment focused on correcting targeted manufacturing deficiencies. Performed as Manufacturing Plant Lead on a cross-functional team assigned to incorporate lean methodology and implement new processes resulting in a smooth start-up with no customer issues.• Authored and implemented an assembly-pallet repair process resulting in 10-15% productivity gains in high volume assembly areas.• Transformed machining tool management into a common process across manufacturing areas resulting in lower downtime rates and improved first time quality.• Led vendor run-offs, documentation of maintenance requirements and coordinated operator / skilled trade training for new equipment

Plant wide responsibility for initiating, leading, and supporting multiple projects focused on achieving productivity, quality, and material cost improvement through the implementation of lean principles such as Pull / Kanban, Flow Manufacturing, Theory of Constraints, Manufacturing System Design, and Value Stream Mapping.• Cross-functionally developed and implemented a planned maintenance process taking the organization from a traditional “central” service to a focused / zoned philosophy resulting in improved manufacturing productivity and skilled trades utilization while reducing manpower requirements.

Co-managed Maintenance Department consisting of 8 First Line Maintenance Supervisors and approximately 200 skilled tradesmen across three shifts in support of all manufacturing and facility operations.• Developed scheduling tools and communication protocol resulting in effective management of skilled trades time and a higher completion rate of planned projects.

Managed 6 first-line supervisors in manufacturing assignments. Planned and coordinated with Financial Department to develop annual budgets and monitored performance to budget targets. Key processes included: Stamping, Welding, Bonding, Machining, Anodizing, and Assembly.• Cost Improvement Program achievement recognition.

“Lead supervisor” over stamping, welding, and machining 24 hour operations (approximately 100 hourly employees). Assumed responsibility for production staff planning for all three shifts; including establishment of productivity targets and coordination of changeovers.• Implemented the facility’s first fully-functional, large-scale pull / kanban system.• Developed Manufacturing procedures and documentation to meet ISO / QS9000 requirements.• Coordinated the assembly of a Supervisor’s Handbook that was used to train newly hired first-line manufacturing supervisors.• Factory Management Council Member- recognition for significant achievement in manufacturing supervision.

Contract employee managing 30 employees on second shift. Responsible for Safety, Quality, Employee Job Assignment, Discipline, and Coordination of Maintenance support. Key processes included: Stamping, Welding, and Machining.• Converted to a full-time employee after six months.