Career Focus

An accomplished professional and manager in the fields of Manufacturing and Mate

rials Management -- Successful background of making continuous improvements in p
roductivity, engineering, maintenance, efficiency, safety, quality and reliabili
ty. Proven record of innovative leadership, project management, problem solving
, managing leading-edge technology, and delivering excellent products on time an
d under budget -- often exceeding requirements and expectations.
Qualifications
Extensive professional experience, including:

Improving Processes & Procedures

Hiring, Training, Developing & Team-Building
Maximizing Equipment & Employee Potential
Ensuring Compliance with EPA, OSHA & Workers Compensation Regulations
Managing Multi-Plant Operations
Optimizing Plant Efficiency & Productivity
Designing Inventory Control Systems
Lean Manufacturing
Implementing Safety & Quality Programs, including ISO-9001
Fabricating Metal & Plastic Products
Building Customer Satisfaction & Retention
Cutting Costs & Boosting Profits
Technical Skills: Statistical Process Control, MS Office Suite
Professional Background
Operations Manager TMF Plastic Solutions, LLC. Plano,
IL 2006 Present
Managing a 3-shift custom injection molding and extrusion operation supplying th
e fitness and consumer goods industries.
Increased extrusion throughput by 50%. Eliminated the need to outsource product
.
Developed multiple assembly work cells. Reduced the need for temporary labor.
Responsible for Purchasing, Quality, Human Resources and Inside Sales. Able to
multi-task and still maintain a profitable plant operation efficiently.

Plant Manager Custom Aluminum Products, Inc. South Elgin, IL

1994 2005
Managed an 11-plant complex for a leading producer of customized aluminum extrus
ions.
Managed a successful team of 5 Managers and 21 Supervisors in an 11-plant, 500,
000 sq. ft. complex. Implemented improved procedures that decreased downtime and
saved the company $1,200 daily.
Improved facility layouts for material flows. Decreased hourly labor headcount
by 15 people and cut utility costs by $125,000.
 Promoted continuous improvements by researching and implementing new industry a
dvances. Improved efficiency rates by 15% and boosted new product sales by 10%.

James A. Marks -- page 2 (Custom Aluminum Products, continued)

Prepared 75% of companys process procedures and job descriptions in order to be

come ISO 9001 certified. Implemented and supported all documentation and achiev
ed certification in 24 months.
Maintained continuous operations by initiating, coordinating and enforcing pers
onnel policies and procedures. Successfully retained a solid and effective work
force, and reduced the turnover rate from 50 lost employees per year to fewer t
han 25.
Achieved financial objectives through budget preparation, scheduling expenditur
es, analyzing variances and initiating corrective action. Demonstrated the abil
ity to streamline operations to increase the sales volume of the company from $7
5,000 to over $150,000 per month.
Initiated a review of vendors and dollars spent on consumable products. Saved
in excess of $90,000 annually on just one item, and also improved delivery of th
e product.
Performed all new-hire orientation, safety, health and environmental training f
or both plastic and metal products. Improved employees knowledge of operations
in order to reduce injuries and to increase awareness of surroundings.

General Foreman Blachford, Inc. West Chicago, IL

1983 1994
Ran a 2-shift facility making sound dampening parts for Ford, Chrysler, General
Motors, Caterpillar, Detroit Diesel and the United States Government.

Analyzed department budget requests and identified areas in which reductions co

uld be made. Allocated a $400,000 operating plan and consistently ran under bud
get for this Tier-1 automotive supplier for four years straight.
Created synchronous manufacturing cells for a large production unit that was ru
nning below quoted rate and generating excess scrap. Improved operations that b
oosted production rates by 25% and reduced scrap by 10%.
Directed staff to meet the dual demands of customer quality standards and short
ened lead times. Established group leaders and used Statistical Process Controls
to solve customer-based issues.

Professional Training, Affiliations & Certifications

Member of the American Society for Quality
OSHA 10-Hour Card Recipient
Certified ISO-9001 Auditor
Certified Forklift Operator Trainer
Additional training in Workers Compensation claims, Hazardous Materials, Hearing
Conservation, Emergency First-Aid and Accident Investigation.