Tanner Flake Email & Phone Number

In my role as Director of Manufacturing and Product Manager, I lead the end-to-end process for all product lines, from R&D through to full-scale production and supply chain management. I’ve successfully scaled five new products, meeting stringent qualifications for major aerospace and semiconductor clients, ensuring smooth transitions from concept to large-scale operations.I drive continuous improvement across manufacturing processes, collaborating with contractors, suppliers, and internal teams to resolve technical challenges. Notable achievements include a 30% improvement in drying yield and a 100% increase in nanomaterial dispersion quality, boosting both market competitiveness and operational efficiency.I also oversee the New Product Introduction (NPI) process, leading the launch of four new products by aligning R&D with manufacturing to meet both technical specs and business objectives. My focus is on balancing innovation with scalability, ensuring that every product is both cutting-edge and production-ready.

As the first engineer to join the team, the vision was clear: to establish a world-class research and development facility that would push the boundaries of advanced materials. I took on the challenge of building the lab from the ground up, leading the recruitment of a talented team of scientists and technicians who shared the same passion for innovation. With a $2M+ budget, I oversaw the procurement of cutting-edge equipment, ensuring we were equipped with the tools necessary for breakthrough research. In parallel, I developed comprehensive standard operating procedures (SOPs) to create a structured, efficient, and safe working environment that would support high-level experimentation and development.A key part of my role was bridging the gap between research and production. I worked closely with both R&D and operations teams to successfully scale the production of 3D printing resin, from a small-scale laboratory process to an annual output exceeding 100 metric tons. This required refining every stage of the process, from raw material sourcing to final quality control, ensuring consistency and maintaining the high standards expected in industrial-scale production.By combining technical expertise with leadership, I was able to foster a culture of innovation, efficiency, and collaboration, making significant strides in advancing our capabilities in nanotechnology and product development.

Tempe, Arizona, Us

(Acquired Versum Materials in October 2019)As the scope of our operations grew, I was tasked with expanding the pilot plant’s capabilities to support a new business unit. I led the onboarding of five new team members, optimized the plant layout using lean methodologies, and worked closely with site management and finance to align our operations with budgetary and financial goals. This expansion not only improved plant efficiency but also streamlined our capacity to support multiple product lines simultaneously.One of my key achievements was developing and implementing new processing instructions for raw material purification. This initiative improved team coordination and significantly enhanced product performance, reducing average trace metal contamination by 50% across multiple product lines. These improvements directly impacted product quality, making our outputs more consistent and reliable for customers.In addition, I coordinated chemical production in Taiwan, overseeing a remote team of five engineers and technicians. I ensured that production remained on track while optimizing processes to meet company targets. Managing operations across different time zones and geographies reinforced my ability to lead diverse teams and solve complex production challenges in real time.Through strategic planning, process optimization, and team leadership, I was able to ensure that our pilot plant operations not only supported R&D efforts but also laid a solid foundation for the scalable production of new products.

Tempe, Arizona, Us

As Formulated Product Scale-up Manager, I was responsible for scaling up R&D formulations into pilot-scale production, ensuring that products moved seamlessly from the lab to larger-scale (SVM/HVM) manufacturing. I managed a team of three technicians in the production of abrasive slurry, overseeing the successful execution of 25 batches per month. By implementing streamlined workflows and stringent quality control measures, I ensured consistent product quality while maintaining efficient production timelines.A major focus of my role was improving operational efficiency. I worked closely with cross-functional teams to optimize task allocation, ensuring that workloads and sample priorities were managed effectively. This approach resulted in a 33% reduction in average production time, cutting the cycle from 15 days to under 10 days. This not only improved efficiency but also allowed us to meet increasingly tight customer deadlines, strengthening relationships with key clients.Through a combination of hands-on leadership and process optimization, I helped drive a more efficient and reliable scale-up process, positioning the company to meet both R&D and production goals with greater agility and precision.

Tempe, Arizona, Us

As a Scale-up Engineer, I played a crucial role in designing and assembling pilot-scale processes that would scale R&D formulations to commercial production. I developed and implemented automated pilot equipment, applying advanced engineering techniques to address formulation issues and minimize safety risks. These innovations were critical in ensuring smooth transitions from laboratory concepts to larger-scale manufacturing processes.As a Scale-up Engineer, I played a crucial role in designing and assembling pilot-scale processes that would aid in the development of R&D formulations. I built and implemented automated pilot equipment, applying advanced engineering techniques to address formulation issues and minimize safety risks. These innovations were critical in ensuring smooth transitions from laboratory concepts to larger-scale manufacturing processes.In addition to equipment design, I led Design Hazard Reviews (DHRs) for five new unit operations, ensuring that all safety and operational standards were rigorously met. This proactive approach minimized risks and helped maintain operational integrity during scale-up, enabling the team to meet production targets while upholding safety and quality standards.My focus on both process optimization and safety allowed me to drive more efficient and reliable scale-up operations, ensuring that we met both technical specifications and safety requirements in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment.

Master Of Business Administration - Mba

Master'S Degree, Chemical Engineering

Bachelor Of Science, Chemical Engineering