Aaron W.

Chaney
1777-C Gores Landing Rd SW, Ocean Isle Beach, NC, 28469 * 843.230.1142 (Mobile)
* 910.579.8339 (Res.) * (Res.) *
SENIOR-LEVEL OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
Emphasis on opportunities with progressive, mid-large sized manufacturing compan
ies seeking dynamic, team-oriented leadership to improve operations, product dev
elopment and profitability.
Key Strengths:
Seasoned operations professional with over fifteen years of progressive manageme
nt experience. Strong technical background in engineering, program management an
d quality. Solid track record of successful streamlining of operations and reduc
ing costs with a continuous quality improvement focus. Decisive leader with exce
llent analytical, organization, team-building and planning skills. Excellent int
erpersonal and communication skills which foster strong customer and vendor rela
tions, cohesion among the management team, and a high level of employee motivati
on. Additional competencies in turnaround strategies and change management.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
AVM Industries, LLC, Marion, SC 1997-Present
AVM provides technical development, manufacturing and assembly in a variety of m
arkets including: Tier1 automotive, automotive aftermarket, industrial OEM, comm
ercial goods, durable medical equipment and aerospace. The facility currently ru
ns two shifts and has over 300 employees with annual revenues of approximately $
40 million. Facility processes include: assembly, chrome-plating, stamping, zinc
plating, E-coat, powder paint, grinding, machining, packaging and testing.
Director of Operations & Engineering 2004-Present
Full P/L responsibility for the planning and management of all operations includ
ing: production, maintenance, purchasing and supply chain, quality, engineering,
R&D, distribution, customer service and human resources. Key accomplishments:
* Identified, developed, implemented and currently managing global manufacturin
g partners and suppliers to create localized manufacturing cells for global cust
omers improving margins and leveraging capabilities;
* Delivered consistent year over year savings through materials, burden and lab
or reductions through supplier contract renegotiation and implementation of erro
r-proofing and other LEAN initiatives as follows :
* 2005 - $1.9 million
* 2006- $1.2 million
* 2007- $1.5 million
* 2008- $1.9 million
* 2009 - $2.1 million
* Increased revenue per employee by 21%;
* Significantly expanded product portfolio creating opportunities in new market
s;
* Improved downtime and maintenance incidence rates over 50% through implementa
tion of employee involvement (EI) teams and TPM;
* Promoted and championed safety in the plant with nearly 5 million safe hours
over tenure and 24% case reduction;
* Reduced the cost of non-quality (CONQ) from 5% to 0.5% COS;
* Improved On-Time delivery from 61% to 99%;
* Improved working capital utilization by reducing inventory as a percentage of
sales by nearly 40% through KANBAN management, use of EI teams, negotiated cons
ignments and product standardization;
* Managed closure of sister plant and migration of assembly lines into the Mari
on facility;
* Effectively managed divestiture by ArvinMeritor including conducting plant si
te visits, assembling and presenting business reviews, and facilitating and mana
ging the completion of the "data room" as a part of the due diligence process.
* Explored opportunities for acquisition for parent company by conducting busin
ess reviews and site visits, evaluating process capabilities and performing mana
gement assessments to determine the viability of acquisition targets.
* Designed and implemented organizational restructuring in response to dynamic
business climate and changing industry and market demands
Initially hired as Product Design Engineer and quickly promoted to Business Unit
Total Quality Manager (TQM). Maintained all design and program management respo
nsibilities for the Company's largest and most demanding customer, Chrysler. Pro
moted to Gas Spring Quality Manager in 2000 and additionally served as the actin
g Gas Spring Engineering Manager. During this time, the Chrysler quality rating
improved from 78 to 91. In late 2000, assumed responsibility for all Engineering
and Program Management at the Marion facility. In 2002, promoted to Plant Quali
ty Manager and received ArvinMeritor's National Gold Award in recognition for qu
ality and performance improvements. Successfully managed the facility's implemen
tation and certification of TS16949 and ISO 14001 programs.
Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Westfield, IN 1994-1997
Manufacturer of vehicle restraint systems
Applications Engineering Supervisor
* Product development from concept to production launch;
* Assist marketing team in developing marketing strategies for new products;
* Management of the homologation process for foreign programs;
* SAE committee member for regulation development.
Kalhust & Associates, West Lafayette, IN 1993-1994
Manufacturer's Rep/Sales Engineer
Developing and maintaining customer relationships and generating sales of four p
rimary commodities: printed circuit boards, springs, die-cast zinc and deep-draw
n stampings.
Bachelor of Science - Engineering (AAE) Purdue University, W. Lafayette, IN