Michelle OwenAustin, TX – Open (254) 730-1680 | mem8135@yahoo.com | Linkedin.com/in/michelle-owen-bosslady/ | Michelle-Owen.comChief Operating OfficerA dynamic Plant Operations Director, ensuring manufacturing plants operate at peak efficiency while maintaining a safe and healthy work environment for all employees. Extensive experience in process optimization, supply chain management, and lean manufacturing principles, leading cross-functional teams of skilled professionals to reduce costs, improve quality, and increase production capacity. Known for delivering a strategic vision and continuous improvement, adapting quickly to changing business needs. A collaborative, highly inspirational executive who adds value by:Managing the development of several multimillion-dollar startup manufacturing facilities and new business developments to profitable operationsInitiating major expansion projects increasing operational volume and profit by 55% in the first year Improving operations in under a year with average results of 250+% profit increasesMaintaining perfect safety records across multiple facilitiesAdvancing several employees’ development through coaching and skills training toward progressive promotions and high employee moraleAreas of ExpertiseChange Management, Financial & Accounting Skills, Business Contracts Negotiations, RFPs, Business Models, P&L, Employee Communications, Union Contract Negotiations, Community Outreach, Finance Management, Permit Compliance, Regulatory Compliance, Strategic Planning, ATF, OSHA, MSHA, EPA, FL DEP, TCEQ, ASTM, AASHTO, DOTs, Project Management, EntrepreneurProfessional Experience | Key AchievementsGLG, Austin, TX glginsights.com Freelance Expert Apr 2023 – PresentFreelance contractor for GLG, the world’s largest insight network.ICON Technology, Austin, TX iconbuild.com – Construction TechnologySenior Manager Material Production Feb 2022 – Feb 2023Oversaw and directed construction and launch of a multi-million-dollar dry mix manufacturing facility. Ensured the smooth operation and maintenance of the facility through hiring, onboarding, training, and managing the team. Additionally, led the implementation of all process and IT systems for material supply and distribution, collaborating with other departments to achieve shared goals and enhance operations. Managed an up to $10M P&L budget with ten direct reports. All projects were completed, and cost reductions led to layoff.Led the successful completion of a new manufacturing facility in Austin, TX, on time and within budget, reducing raw material costs by 50% at $290/cu-yd, ~$5M annually, with one-shift production.Identified and spearheaded the development of a complete reinforcement operational process that receives orders, produces, packages, and delivers products saving $45K annually. Synagro Technologies, Inc., Punta Gorda, FL; Austin, TX; & Helendale, CA synagro.com – Biosolids ManagementArea Director, Senior Plant Manager Mar 2015– Dec 2021Effectively led teams of 16+ employees, overseeing multiple facilities that processed more than 200,000 tons of materials annually. Handled a variety of key functions, including accounting, human resources, purchasing, sales, and logistics. Managed P&L budgets ranging from $500K to $1M and was consistently able to reduce costs over time.Senior Plant Manager, Compost Facilities in Austin, TX (2018 – 2021) Improved plant operations under contract with the City of Austin Water Utilities, realizing a 131% profit increase within the first 6 months and YoY 15+% profit increases in subsequent years.Plant Manager, Compost Facility in Punta Gorda, FL (2015 – 2021)Executed a major expansion project at the FL compost facility allowing for an increase in operational volume and improving profit by 55% in the first year after completion.Turned around operations within 6 months, generating increased production by 30%.Executed the Wastewater 10-year Florida DEP permit renewal onsite, saving annually over $50K.After one year of quality production, led material waste consumption within normal operations over 7.5 months for zero cost while maintaining a perfect quality production record. Project Development and Marketing Teams projects nationwide (2015 – 2021)For Punta Gorda, FL marketed services and negotiated 3-year auto-renewal vendor contracts establishing a new revenue stream profit of $50K annually with annual CPI increases.Reviewed nationwide pilot projects, including implementation of FIXX for 12 facilities reducing downtime costs by $95K annually, and identified viable sites in Florida, developing the two sites’ proforma budgets for contract negotiations. Mentored a Green Operations Manager for a Compost Facility in Helendale, CA (2018) Spent a year guiding a newly promoted operations manager who led a 2-shift operation with 25 employees, processing more than 565,000 tons of material annually. Improved processes and safety that generated increased production by 15% and decreased overtime by 5%.Prioritized safety processes resulting in perfect safety records for the Florida plant for 7 years and the Texas plant for 4 yearsDYNA Energetics US Inc., Whitney & Blum, TX dynaenergetics.com – Oil & Gas IndustryMulti-Facility Plant Manager May 2013 – Dec 2014Operated and managed both facilities, performing accounting, human resources, purchasing, logistics, public relations, and project management functions. After she completed the projects, she was laid off due to the economic fracking industry downturn.Plant Manager, Steel Pipe Carrier Manufacturing – Whitney, TX; Machine Shop with 32 employees and Owned the ~$100M P&L budget. Reorganized the steel pipe carrier manufacturing machine shop by implementing 5S Lean Manufacturing methodologies, improving equipment and quality, doubling production at $3M profit and zero safety accidents within one year.Plant Manager, Explosive Shaped Charges – Blum, TX Oversaw the build of a $6M manufacturing facility, $600K under budget and two weeks early, for explosive storage from a green field to a 2-shift operation with 22 employees.Executed stringent ATF regulatory compliance registration, including neighborhood outreach programs, resulting in zero problems, complaints, and a perfect safety record.Lehigh Hanson, Waco, TX lehighwhitecement.com – White Cement ManufacturingEnvironmental Manager Mar 2011 – May 2013A multi-position role that handled regulatory compliance certifications and quality control and ensured the facility and employees followed and met environmental and air standard regulations. Managed 55+ employees and up to $55M budget.Environmental Manager (2013) – Coordinated with a local power plant to consume waste dust products, including trials and contract negotiations for 260K tons/year and ~$5M in annual savings.Executed the site’s Title V Air permit renewal, saving over $50K in consulting fees.Quality Control Manager (2013) – Improved production quality by 30% within 3 months by implementing control standards and procedures for marginal product use.Assistant Plant Manager (2011) – Successfully maintained all goals and KPIs for 2-years.A key member representing the company for Union contract signing without delays improved company and employee relations by decreasing grievances by 50%.Production Manager (2011 – 2013) – Managed 3-shift operation producing quality products and Maintained zero injuries safety record. Improved Kiln Refractory operation employee training saving $250K annually with increased equipment life.CEMEX, Inc., New Braunfels, TX cemexusa.com – Grey Cement ManufacturingQuality Control Manager Jun 2000 – Mar 2011Responsible for the quality department for all raw materials, fuel, and final product analysis and optimization. Managed multiple areas of expertise, including Quality Control, Production, Processes, and Plant Management, with a staff of over 185 employees and up to ~$100M P&L budget.Quality Control Manager (2010 – 2011) – New Braunfels, TX – Managed installation project for an Online Analyzer to monitor limestone quality, improving kiln stability for increasing production that added $3M annually.Introduced quality control standards and procedures that improved quality metrics by over 10% in 6 months.Interim Production Manager (2009) – New Braunfels, TX – Ran 3-shift, 24/7 operations maintaining all KPIs.Process Manager (2008 – 2010) – New Braunfels, TX – Managed three Process Engineers to monitor and improve the operations continuously.As Energy Team Leader, coordinated a team to work with ERCOT implementing a “Load Acting As Reserve” program saving $700K power cost annually and earning the “Best Implementation of the Energy Program Award 2009” and “Energy Star Partner of the Year 2009 and 2010”Reduced fuel cost by $120K annually as the Alternative Fuels Project Manager.Facilitated a training program for 1500 man-hours on 30 different topics for less than $31K.Coordinated and assisted a plant training for the conversion to SAP software.Assistant Plant Manager – Quarry Manager – Quality Control Manager (2006 – 2008) – Brooksville, FL Implemented safety standards that reduced plant injuries to zero.Optimized Feed Design costs, saving $8M annually in raw material costs.Introduced the Online Analyzer, increasing production by $2M annually. Implemented quality control standards improving quality metrics by 35% in the first year and reducing customer complaints by 300%.Quality Control Manager, Assistant Production Manager (2000 – 2006) – Lyons, CO Improved quality metrics by 25% in the first year and maintained quality in subsequent yearsWorked closely with customers to maintain a perfect record of zero customer complaintsReduced manufacturing costs by $54K yearly. COOP Internship: Process Engineer | Champion International (1997 – 1999): Offered a job after graduation completing 15 months (3 College Semesters) of various projectsEducation | Industry AcumenBS – Bachelor of Science | Chemical Engineering, minor in Chemistry | Texas A&M UniversityCooperative Education Program | Texas A&M University, Champion International COOP InternshipCertifications & Coursework: Industrial Systems Safety Engineering Certification | Texas A&M University; Lean Manufacturing 5S, Yellow Belt Certification | Lean Six Sigma; CCOM Certified Compost Operations Manager | U.S. Composting Council; The Dale Carnegie Course; FLSmidth – Kiln Process and Operations & Cement Production; FLSmidth – Cement Quality and Chemistry; GE Energy – Baghouse Design and Operations; Lewellyn Technology – High Voltage Safety; Modern Safety Management; Modern Safety Management; Martin Engineering – Conveyor Safety, Operation, and Maintenance; Visible Emissions Evaluation – Eastern Technical Associates; Change Management for Managers – Pasco-Hernando State CollegeProfessional Affiliations: U.S. Composting Council; Rotary International – Foreign Exchange Program; RILEM; Portland Cement Association (PCA)Core CompetenciesTechnology: JIRA, Palantir Foundry, BluePrint, ERP Systems: NetSuite, SAP, JD Edwards, Lucid, Sage, Maintenance System: FIIX MMS, Budget & Forecasting Software: Adaptive, Insights, Smartsheets, Confluence, Google Suite, Microsoft Office Suite, Excel, Laboratory Equipment Operations & Calibration, XRD, XRF Professional & Leadership Skills: Analysis, Agile, Analytical, Assembly, Attention to Detail, Audits, Automate Processes, Automation Solutions, Best Practices, Budget Management, Business Strategy, Capital Budgets, Client Retention, Client Satisfaction, Collaboration, Communication, Compliance, Continuous Improvement, Conflict Resolution, Customer Needs, Customer Service, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Cost Savings, Databases, Data Driven Analysis, Decision-Making, Entrepreneurial, Facilities Management, Fast-Paced, Financial Reporting, Growth Strategies, ISO, KPIs, Labor Relations, Learning Strategy, Machine Learning, Materials Handling, Mentoring, Modeling, Motivation, Organizational Skills, Performance Improvement, Performance Metrics, Presales, Problem-Solving, Professional Staffing, Program Development, Proposals, Recruiting, R&D, Responsive, RFQs, SAP, Security Operations, Self-Starter, Stakeholders, ROI, Succession Planning, Supply Chain, SWOT Analysis, Talent Management, Testing, Teamwork, Time Management, Vendor Relations, Warehousing, Verbal & Written Communication Skills
