ERIC SIMMONS MAGNOLIA, DE 19962 (302) 538-8626 (cell) (302) 335-8260 (home) Email: esimmons7@comcast.

net

SUMMARY
OPERATIONS EXECUTIVE: Seasoned executive and accomplished leader with experience as both a consultant and a hands on manager leading organizations through strategic and operational changes. My focus has been cultural transformation. Experience includes lean transformation, high performance manufacturing start-ups, organizational change processes, ISO 9000/FDA process qualification/validation, labor relations, and strategic planning. In each case, I tapped into the individual and organizational capabilities to achieve a permanent shift in the level of performance of the operation/business.

CAREER HISTORY
ACTION COACH of DELAWARE, Dover, DE 2010 to present
Playtex restructuring led to purchase of the ActionCOACH business coaching franchise in Delaware. I work with entrepreneurs, business owners, to help them develop strategies to grow their business and improve their profits.

ENERGIZER PERSONAL CARE DIVISION

2001 to 2010

VICE PRESIDENT PLAYTEX MANUFACTURING, Dover, DE (2006 to 2010) Promoted to VP of Playtex Operations. Playtex acquired by Energizer in 2007. Responsible for all Feminine Care and Wet Ones value stream operations. Annual sales $360M. Initiated and led a lean transformation in Dover. Facilitated its implementation throughout Playtex to make improvements over 2 years putting Playtex at par with the Energizer Asian facilities. Partnered with Marketing, R&D and Engineering to launch the Sport tampon product the most significant change in that market in over 20 years. Then helped develop a rolling 3 year line of business marketing strategy. Worked with Engineering to transform Dover Manufacturing from an operation with antiquated equipment and layout to a best in class operation. Achieved best safety, quality and service metrics in Dover history. Reduced inventory 35% and costs 10%. DIRECTOR, PLAYTEX OHIO OPERATIONS, Sidney and Streetsboro, Ohio (2001 to 2006) Started with responsibility for Sidney then promoted to Director of all Ohio operations. Operation manufactured and converted nonwoven fabric into Wet Ones products, filled Mr. Bubble liquid products, and managed several contract manufacturers including production and distribution of the Diaper Genie line. Combined annual sales $135M. Reorganized the management group in Sidney and focused both operations on supporting product and trade development initiatives in partnership with Marketing and R&D. Averaged 5 new or restaged products per year. Led Lean Manufacturing implementation process. The two Ohio operations became the flagships for Playtex. Revised and upgraded all quality management processes in order to become fully FDA compliant for OTC and medical device products. Reduced waste and increased labor productivity over 10% per year. Reduced inventories 30%. Achieved the top levels of safety, quality and service within Playtex.

MARCAL PAPER MILLS, INC.

1998 to 2000

VICE PRESIDENT, SPECIALTY CONVERTING, Augusta, GA and Chicago, IL. P&L responsibility for two specialty paper businesses. Combined annual sales $38M. Restructured both management teams. Upgraded systems for maintenance, production scheduling, and customer service. Initiated effective capital improvements at both locations to improve their competitiveness. Introduced a safety management process. Incidents of injuries reduced by more than 50% in both operations. Raised quality standards and initiated process control and quality improvements at both locations, with Augusta focused on ISO 9002 registration. Customer complaints reduced 80% in Augusta and 10% in Chicago. Improved Chicago profitability 10% each year. Moved Augusta from years of losses to consistent profitability.

JAMES RIVER PAPER COMPANY; sold to Fonda Group, and Georgia Pacific

1986 to 1997

GENERAL MANAGER, SPECIALTY TABLETOP BUSINESS: Richmond, VA and Long Beach, CA (1993 1997) General manager with P&L for an $18M specialty business. Business operated autonomously within the James River Consumer Products Division. Sold to Fonda Group in 1996 as part of a James River restructuring process. Business VP and union requested my help in fixing labor issues and the poor operating effectiveness of the Ricmond operation. Engaged the union local in a joint effort. Improved quality and safety 40% and waste and productivity 25%. Gross profit improved from $.5M in 1992 to $1.1M in 1993. Assumed GM responsibilities to exit the East and expand the Western business. Both East and West facilities achieved record performances in quality and safety during the 1994 transition year. Reduced and reorganized management staff to align it with the business strategy. Gained recognition in the trade as the preferred supplier with the fastest cycle time, best quality, and best service. Developed a sales and marketing program specific to the business. Sales increased from $15M to $18M. Worked with the union to developed a self-paced operator training program, implement a skill-based pay system, and empower shift lead people to run the day-to-day operation. Sales and operating improvements increased gross profits from $1.3M in 1993 to over $2M in 1994 and 1995. DIRECTOR, CONSULTING and TRAINING, (1986 1993) Began as account manager and lead internal consultant for the $1.5B Towel & Tissue Division. Promoted to Director in 1989. Led the corporate management consulting and training staff; accountable for the programs they designed and supported, and for their performance and individual development. James River was a $6B corporation. Led the design and implementation teams for James Rivers corporate TQ and Labor Relations strategies. Jointly with Engineering led development of industry benchmark technical training programs for papermaking operations and for capital project management. Facilitated consolidation of JRs Towel & Tissue and Dixie businesses into a $2.5B Consumer Products Division. Consultant to manufacturing VPs and facility managers to improve organizational design and change processes, labor relations and contract negotiations, strategic planning, and team building.

OTHER EXPERIENCE
FRITO-LAY Allen Park, MI PRODUCTION MANAGER: Responsible for 350-person salty snack food production operation with over $50M in sales. Recruited to lead an established union plant through a change to a team-based structure. Worked with external consultant to design and implement change process. Led implementation of SPC methods to improve quality. Finished 1985 with record results in quality and safety. PROCTER & GAMBLE PAPER PRODUCTS CO, Mehoopany, PA and Modesto, CA ORGANIZATION DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT: Organization redesign, team building, employee relations, management development and training, and cost reduction projects. TECHNICAL DEPARTMENT MANAGER: Luvs disposable diaper operation start-up team. Achieved highest quality ranking among four P&G Luvs operations within four months after start of production. PRODUCTION MANAGER: Selected to start-up team for Japanese plant. Start up was most successful to date among P&G diaper operations. Included in-depth studies of Japanese language, culture and management practices. OPS TEAM MANAGER: Production Team manager then Process Engineer in Procters largest Pampers operation. U.S. NAVAL OFFICER MANAGER: Aircraft Maintenance, Information Systems, Quality Assurance, and Admin/Personnel departments. INSTRUCTOR: Jet Flight Instructor and Instrument Flight Instructor/Check Pilot.

EDUCATION
MBA BS General Manager/Marketing Systems Engineering University of North Florida U.S. Naval Academy

Attended and taught dozens of career related courses in everything from Lean and Six Sigma to Organization Design/Development, Labor Relations, Leadership, Quality Systems (including 2 days with Dr Deming), etc.