Mark A Grassman, P.E., MBA

Experience

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  Appvion, Inc.

  Jan 1995 - Jan 2006

  International Project Manager, New Business Development Manager, and Lean/Six Sigma Team Leader

  Project Manager, International, 2005 – 2006Spearheaded planning, evaluated and qualified facilities, initiate contracts and supply agreements, served as company liaison to US and Chinese Chamber of Commerce, and finalized international joint venture expanding into Chinese market. New Business Development Manager, 2004 – 2005Managed four direct report team coordinators, conducted market and customer insight, drove strategic marketing focus, and led commercialization of new products resulting in a 67% volume increase 2003 – 2004. I developed of Kepner-Tregoe and Six Sigma training and application strategies to address performance concerns. Six Sigma/Lean Team Leader, 2001 – 2004Trained and served as a mentor for multiple Black Belt direct reports, implemented lean projects utilizing 5S methodology with a 20% reduction in downtime in target units. I scheduled and conducted Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) workshop training activities.Additional positions at Appleton Papers:Engineering Manager, Staff Electrical Engineer, and Maintenance Electrical Engineer Show less

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  Bassett Mechanical

  Jan 2006 - Jan 2011

  VP / GM Operations, VP / GM Manufacturing

  Executed a complete plant turnaround, managed sales and marketing, custom manufacturing, construction installation, divisional unionized staff of 180 employees, and served as a member of the Board of Directors. Leveraged supplier agreements to negotiate contract terms. Maintained customer engagement and support through sales and marketing strategies, and reorganizing division talent to stabilize business lines. Contributions and Achievements:• Utilized Lean methodologies, sales and business planning, process improvements, and employee development to direct record growth, 10% over budget in 2007, 2008, and maintain steady sales through recession years 2008 – 2010.• Organized cross-departmental launch of Six Sigma, Lean, and Strategic Deployment implementation, resulting in a 20% increase in profitability of Lean projects (Hoshin-Kanri based). Show less

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  Business Excellence LLC

  Jan 2011 - Jan 2018

  Operations Management and Business Partner

  Evaluation and consultation with small to mid-size firms to create business strategy services and to apply overall best-in-class business principles, Lean Thinking and Six Sigma methodologies in the areas of manufacturing, marketing, sales, and procurement, healthcare, and quality control applications. Contributions and Achievements:• Successfully developed a comprehensive strategic plan for a large contracting company on an accelerated timeline (6 days)• Expanded revenue at a medical facility by 20% per service provider. • Increased the market reach of a struggling engineering firm through the identification of three additional business areas Show less

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  Bay Tek Games

  Jan 2011 - Jan 2012

  Director Of Operations and COO

  Conducted the operations management of a $20M+ manufacturing environment and served on leadership team. Scope of responsibility included manufacturing, research and development of new products, quality control, and supply chain management. Promoted continuous improvement through Lean Processes, negotiated materials purchasing, and initiated professional development programs. Analyzed workflow of quality control and logistics and created Quality Control Manager and Shipping Coordinator positions to evaluate and manage specialized department needs. Show less

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  CE Power Solutions

  Jan 2012 - Dec 2012

  Operations Manager / Sales Engineer - WI Operations

  Monitored and ensured sales division performance in job estimates, bids, inside, and outside sales, and managed the service assistants and corporate support personnel in day-to-day oversight and annual employee reviews. I was responsible for the oversight of multiple company projects; low to high voltage, electrical component commission, testing, maintenance, and retrofitting, and equipment installation projects. I established and reinforced best practices for reporting, project setup, internal and external communications, and customer invoicing.Contributions and Achievements:• The largest impact at CE Power Solutions was tracking and converting a -18% EBT in July to above the break-even point between August and October in a business line that had operated below break-even for eight years.• Worked collaboratively with legal team to negotiate and redraft the terms and conditions of the company’s largest utility customer in Minnesota and the Dakotas. Show less

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  Nelson Global Products

  Jan 2014 - Dec 2015

  Corporate Business Solutions, Six Sigma Black Belt

  Served as project leader employing cost savings, efficiencies, and reduce waste utilizing Continuous Improvement and Six Sigma tools. Evaluated operations and worked cooperatively with plants across Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Tennessee to optimize backlog with Six Sigma projects, S5, Kaizen, and Lean applications. Contributions and Achievements:• Designed and executed a complete plant turnaround project to overhaul operations product flow and scheduling systems. Transformed plant into a complete flow facility (500 employees), reducing lead time by 6 times/25 to 5 days, costs by 50%, inventory reduction by 30+% and EBITDA from -30% to +30% in 4 months-achieving corporate goals. • Outlined and conducted a Six Sigma project providing resolution to a significant material composition and selection issue with a high-value account. Show less

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  WMEP (Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership)

  Jan 2017 - Jan 2017

  Manufacturing Specialist Addendum

  Evaluated company operations and culture toward readiness for required change and applied principles of proper business management, and focused training toward company employees from CEO to floor staff.Contributions and achievements:Implemented solution delivery resulting in 20-50% cost reductions in areas of continuous improvement, equipment maintenance, controlling cost, employee retention, product flow, removal of constraints, and new business development.

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  University of Wisconsin-Green Bay

  Jan 2017 - now

  Professor Adjunct

  Conducted campus classes in Supply Chain, General Business, Equipment Maintenance, and ERP systems with junior and senior level college students. Develop syllabi, assign studies, evaluated, tested, and graded materials. Completed UW-GB documentation and submission of grades.

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  Reynolds Consumer Products

  Jun 2018 - Dec 2020

  Technical Services Manager

  At Presto Products, division of Reynolds Consumer Products, responsible for leading and supervising maintenance and engineering departments - responsible for repairing, maintaining, and installing machines, tools, equipment. This includes driving continuous improvement and problem-solving chronic process and equipment issues to ensure that each process is optimized to meet corporate goals.• Developed and maintained new preventative maintenance program - based on Japanese TPM principles• Supervised all aspects of maintaining production equipment and facilities at the plant to ensure safe and efficient operations• Set priorities for projects and work orders pertaining to the maintenance function• Trained and developed employees Show less

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  MODO8

  Sept 2021 - now

  Sales/Business Development Engineer

  Investigated and initiated 30% new customer contacts and presentations, that are handed over to the project teams for execution of equipment engineering, procurement and installation.