Chris Ferguson
London,Canada
Summary
A resilient, “hands on”, data driven leader with 15+ years experience of practical expertise in Toyota Production System and over 20 years experience in supervisory and Management positions. Proven ability to analyze with a continuous improvement lens and implement the required solutions to increase Safety programs, improve Quality, and productivity while reducing costs. Effective critical thinking approach to problem solving. Proficient communicator and effective at leading and managing with diplomacy.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Aspire Food Group Ltd
01.2023 - Current
- Led, develop and inspire diverse leadership and operations team of 140 employees to achieve operational excellence, execute on continuous improvement projects and build those capabilities across the Quality, sanitation, warehousing and logistics, and production departments
- Collaborate with stakeholders (Human Resources, Technical Services, R&D, Finance) to develop KPIs and determine organizational strategic goals
- Develop and execute on operating plans, budgets, in accordance with production capabilities and to meet financial and operational goals
- Analyze current operating processes and effectively manage resource allocation to maximize profitability and efficiency
- Implement 5s, Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and other process improvement methodologies throughout Operations
- Cultivate positive working relationships with key stakeholders, including customers, suppliers, and regulatory bodies
- Effectively manage the budget of $4.8 million reducing costs by 10% through indirect/direct material and manpower initiatives
- Collaborated with Human Resources to ensure the successful recruitment, onboarding and training of 78 employees through various hiring programs including partnerships with nonprofit organizations offering employer training grants
- Increased operational rate from 9 % to 72%
- Collaborate with the Director of Technical Services to plan and execute on equipment changes, needs assessment and planning and addressing faults, as they occur
- Introduced JIT process in the warehouse, reduced our consumption rates saving over 745K by reducing inventory, by changes in procurement and sourcing
- Liaising with Research and Development and Quality to meet customer specifications and ensure correct application of SQF requirements
- Implemented an in-house training program (Forklift, Supervisory)
TEMPORARY GROUP LEADER
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada
01.2021 - 01.2023
- During my tenure with Toyota, I progressed from Team Member to Key Trainer, Global Production Center Trainer, Team Leader, Master TPS trainer and then temporary Group Leader
- Coordinated with other area and department leaders on a daily basis to effectively manage production plans each day
- Responsible for tracking, planning, and reporting on the main Toyota Missions of Safety, Quality, Productivity, Cost, and Team Member Development
- Managed department budget; reduced department budget annually by 10% despite adding headcount, PPE and consumable requirements
- Managed all cost initiatives within the department, indirect and direct materials tracking, and planned/unplanned man hours
- Increased the operational rate from an average of 91.5% to 97.8% in Side-Member through Standardized Work and Kaizen activity
- Reduced periodic work from 7 processes to 2 in Side-Member utilizing Yamazumi for better work balance which resulted in a team member decrease of 4 team members resulting in a yearly costs savings of $384000
- Advised a Kaizen circle for safety - identified new PPE requirements and reducing lacerations in the department by 58% while reducing costs by 18%
- Part of a team who introduced an ergo assist component which eliminated back and wrist injuries of two recordable per month to zero
- Managed a team of 6 team leaders and 42 team members
Team Leader
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada
01.2007 - 01.2021
- Team leader in departments Side-Member, Shellbody, QC, and Underbody
- One of 3 TPS master trainer team leads in west, north, and south weld shops
- Highest score earned in NAMCs SSR project Role Of The Team Leader
- Selected to join the Head of the Team NAPSC group where we traveled to each NAMC to identify best practice for the role of team leader
- Implemented Team Leader area control boards and weekly audit
- Kaizen team leader overseeing all west weld kaizen suggestions and circle projects while leading the development of 12 team members
- Key trainer and team leader on 715 and 420 model pilots
- Led yearly asset inventory team in the west weld shop
- Global Production Center trainer for all weld shops from 2010 - 2020
- 4 Round KY and MOTLC program lead
- Introduced a small tools training program while on the Kaizen to minimize injuries and reduce costs by allowing team members to work on small projects instead of skilled trades
- Niosh and TEBA trained and responsible for bringing all processes into the green range to ensure maximum team member safety and comfort
- Actively participated, led, and advised on 54 Kaizen Circles
- Directly involved in the promotion of 15 Team members into Team Leaders by developing them for their next role using various tools such as Toyota Job Instruction, line prioritization, inventory management, critical thinking, and on the spot root cause analysis
- Managed various zones in each area with between 5 to 12 production employees at any given time, ensuring their H&S was maintained at all times
Education
Police Foundations -
Fanshawe College
London, ON01.2001
Pre-Health Sciences -
Western University
London, ON01.1999
OSSD -
Saunders Secondary School
London, ON06.1997
Skills
- Operations management
- Team leadership
- Operational efficiency
- Employee relations and conflict resolution
- Planning and implementation
- Staff training
- Project management
- Performance monitoring
- Workflow optimization
- Process improvement
- Project leadership
- Health and safety compliance
- KPI tracking
- Budgeting and forecasting
Timeline
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Aspire Food Group Ltd
01.2023 - Current
TEMPORARY GROUP LEADER
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada
01.2021 - 01.2023
Team Leader
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada
01.2007 - 01.2021
Police Foundations -
Fanshawe College
Pre-Health Sciences -
Western University
OSSD -
Saunders Secondary School
Similar Profiles
Rajdeep SinghRajdeep Singh
Production Worker at Aspire Food GroupProduction Worker at Aspire Food Group
Sana ManzoorSana Manzoor
Teacher at Aspire Group of CollegesTeacher at Aspire Group of Colleges
Lilian Conde GarciaLilian Conde Garcia
Certified Nursing Assistant at Aspire Health GroupCertified Nursing Assistant at Aspire Health Group