PROFILE

Highly motivated manager with extensive manufacturing, project management and R&D experience

Commercially aware with a flexible and organised hands on approach to work and recognised as an effective communicator, team builder and leader

Proven innovator with acknowledged skills of problem solving, decision making, planning and introducing change through the successful management of people and resources

CORE SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Ph.D. Polymer Chemist

Lean Six Sigma trained (Green Belt) with a record of achievement in establishing new systems, improving operations (efficiency and capacity)

New product/process development and transfer to production environments (sealants, adhesives, PU, PVC, leather)

ISO 9000/14001 systems implementation and management

Management of Confidentiality Agreements and Intellectual Property

Implementation of ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) computer system

CAREER HISTORY (responsibilities and achievements)

Pittards plc 1999 - 2006

Manufacturer of leather for shoe, clothing, gloving and leather goods (£85 million t/o)

Operations Manager (Dyehouse) - Shoe & Leathergoods Division (2003 - to date)

Operational and Technical control of dyeing (15 staff, 24hr, 6 days, 450,000sq.ft of leather per week)

Management of Divisional Intellectual Property Rights

Increased production capacity by 30% through rationalisation of processes and working practices

Managed patenting of new dye auxiliary, in house usage and third party exploitation

Reduced dye costs by 10% (£100K) in 2003 through rationalisation and re-matching

Innovations Manager - Shoe & Leathergoods Division (1999 - 2003)

New Product Development and management of Divisional Intellectual Property Rights (10 staff)

New technology scouting through Industrial RTO's, Universities, suppliers, trade shows, internet, etc.

Technical support to Sales and Marketing

RBS Sunday Times Innovator of the Year 2003 (Business Awards)

Managed 3 new major products into production for Puma, Camper and Louis Vuitton

W.E. & J. Pebody Ltd 1996 - 1999

Manufacturer of calf leather for shoe upper and leather goods (£5 million t/o)

Factory Manager

Control and management of production (40 staff, 30,000 sq.ft. of leather per week)

Engineering, Health and Safety, site security

Leather Producers Association representative

University College of Northampton - Industry Technical Liaison Group

Established process control on splitting/shaving we blue

Established new checking systems and controls in the dyehouse and final colour sort

Established alternative supplies of raw material thus reducing reject rates by 20%

Transferred production to W. Pearce & Co. following a merger in March 1999

Metafix Environmental Ltd 1995 - 1996

Refiners of silver bearing photographic waste (£1.5 million t/o)

Interim Site Manager

Management of collection service and refining of silver bearing waste (10 staff)

Carried out systems and process audit

Increased film wash process volumes (100% increase) and silver yields (10% increase)

Established new electrolytic operation increasing silver recovery capacity by 35%

Prepared operating and capital budgets for 1996

Pittards plc 1991 - 1995

Manufacturer of leather for shoe, clothing, gloving and leather goods (£110 million t/o)

Technical Manager - Shoe & Leathergoods Division

Technical control of production (24hrs, 6 days, 250,000 sq. ft. of leather per week)

Management of small scale (development) tannery

Management of 15 technical staff and 10 internal auditors (training, development and appraisals)

Management of technology transfer between group sites

Technical support to Sales and Marketing (including trouble shooting customer problems)

Introduced SPC/TQM techniques leading to a 10% reduction in process times and chemical costs

Implemented and maintained BS5750 part 2 (Systems Manager); accreditation gained July 1994

Completed 3 major customer partnership development projects (M&S, Clarks, Griggs)

Stakehill Engineering Ltd 1987 - 1990

Design and manufacturer of material handling systems for storage/transport of car components (£8 million t/o)

Technical Production Manager - PU Moulding (1989 - 90)

Control and management of production (£1.5 million t/o)

Developed and established process, manufacturing facility and human resources, including: -

Establishing suitable materials and negotiating prices, sourcing plant and equipment preparing capital and operating budgets, preparing samples and product specifications, commissioning foam/elastomer dispensing machinery and ancillary equipment (£90,000)

Recruiting and training entire production team from scratch (10 staff)

Vinyl Plant Operations Manager - PVC Processing (1987 - 89)

Control and management of production (£250,000 t/o, 10 staff)

Control and management of development programme

Reduced direct costs by 20% through improvements to working practices and procedures

Introduced SPC/TQM techniques leading to 10% reduction in waste

Successfully implemented a 2 shift system to increase volume by 60%

Introduced 2 new products into the Cushionbar range (PVC-galvanised steel laminates)

Marston Lubricants Ltd 1985 - 1987

Manufacturer of industrial sealants, adhesives, lubricants and hydraulic fluids (£5 million t/o)

Polymer Chemist

Development of new products for Adhesives & Sealants Division

Technical support to Sales and other Divisions (Offshore and Water Treatment)

Developed new gasketing compound for German automotive market

Developed a moisture curing PU sealant (pilot plant trials June 1987)

EDUCATION

1980 - 84 Liverpool University PhD: Synthesis of Block Copolymers by Ionic/Free Radical Routes

1976 - 79 Liverpool University BSC Hons Chemistry (2/2)

1969 - 76 Birkenhead School 4 A-levels, 8 O-levels

TRAINING

2006 Lean Six Sigma Green Belt

2004 Enterprise Resource Planning (IFS)

2000 Internal Environmental Management Systems Audit Course (ISO 14001)

1997 Risk Assessment Course

1994 Team Building Course

1992 Internal Quality Systems Audit Course (ISO 9000)

1988 Quality Assurance Management (BS 5750) Course