Barry Geisel has over 30 years of experience in manufacturing management positions, with a focus on safety excellence, operational efficiency, and continuous improvement. He has a track record of raising safety performance and reducing costs by implementing risk management systems, maintenance initiatives, and process improvements. Geisel has enhanced profitability by developing new products and maximizing capabilities across multiple facilities.
Manufacturing Manager Resume: Safety Excellence and Continuous Improvement
1. BARRY L. GEISEL
1161 Jack Malcom Road, Madison, GA 30650 • (706) 817-8683 • barrygeisel@yahoo.com
DETAIL-ORIENTED MANUFACTURING MANAGER WITH SAFETY
EXCELLENCE, OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE & CONTINUOUS
IMPROVEMENT EXPERTISE
CAREER SUMMARY
• Raised safety performance in multiple facilities to industry leading rates through cultural improvements
and implementing in-depth risk management systems.
• Increased efficiency rates and reduced conversion costs by implementing strategic and widespread
maintenance initiatives while positively impacting safety levels.
• Enhanced profitability levels by developing new products and partnering with other facilities to maximize
capabilities of multiple sites.
• Developed strong relationships with cross-functional counterparts, product line management, and
plant/site employees, enabling smooth system implementations, process improvements, and training.
AREAS OF STRENGTH
OPEX Management Personnel Training & Development Safety Regulations & Compliance
Process Improvement Operational Analysis & Benchmarking Risk Management Systems
P&L / Budget Management Cross-Functional Coordination Lean Manufacturing
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
CertainTeed
Production Manager- Athens, Ga. 2012- 2016
Directed all production related activities for an insulation facility that produced residential and
industrial types of insulation in a 24/7 environment.
.Improved plant safety performance by actively participating and mentoring a comprehensive
behavior based safety process. OSHA incident rates decreased 80% as a result of this process.
.Successfully recruited 3 Shift Managers while maintaining and improving material and time
efficiency rates.
.Developed a high focus on equipment reliability throughout the plant by providing data,
operator involvement, and direction to the maintenance team.
.Improved employee relations through strong inter-personal skills, spending quality time on the
plant floor, and working closely with the Human Resource department from a hiring perspective.
.Worked closely with the scheduling team to ensure customer orders were met in a consistent
and timely manner.
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2. BARRY L. GEISEL • (706) 818-5916 • barrygeisel@yahoo.com 2
SHILOH INDUSTRIES
Operations Manager- Jefferson, Ga. 2011
Directed all production and quality related activities for an automotive blanking facility that made
components for BMW.
. Improved press efficiencies by 10% by implementing a comprehensive maintenance process.
. Reduced plant turnover by improving communications and employee involvement.
. Implemented a 5S system to greatly improve housekeeping processes and practices.
. Implemented a comprehensive OPEX system & detailed risk management system to drive
improvement in areas such as EH&S, compliance, reliability, productivity, yield/conversion
effectiveness, cost control measures, quality, and capital expenses.
GEORGIA-PACIFIC 1987 – 2010
Plant Manager – Monticello, GA 2008 – 2010
Re-launched operations for previously idle plywood plant facility including strategic planning, implementation,
personnel selection (60 employees), and process optimization. Drove machine reliability enhancements and
process improvements through increased budgetary and operational support.
• Reduced new wood cost at Madison facility by ~20% by outlining a partnership between the Monticello
and Madison plants and negotiating preferred timber pricing with vendor.
• Initiated a project creating a steam line connecting the MDF plant to the Monticello boiler, increasing
steam energy efficiency and saving $100K in operating expenses.
• Utilized benchmark data from Madison plant and relationships with other businesses (e.g., Frito Lay and
Delta Airlines) to gather best practices that improved performance and personnel engagement.
• Launched safety-driven policies and procedures aimed at creating a safety-centered culture, better
managing risks, and shifting from production-based decisions to safety-based decisions.
Plant Manager – Madison, GA 1995 – 2010
Directed operations and safety assurance for 400-employee plywood plant facility. Developed and managed
$100 MM operating budget. Planned, administered, and enforced all plant safety and health policies to ensure
compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations while meeting or exceeding corporate goals.
• Led facility to attainment and sustained safety performance at VPP Star level with OSHA since 1996.
• Secured lowest incident rated facility in Georgia Pacific wood products for 13 consecutive years through
disciplined safety policies and practices.
• Created OPEX metrics and systems to better inspect, support, and drive continuous performance in all
aspects of plant.
• Partnered with Human Resources to develop on-line application system and selection process for
screening of all applications, increasing selection efficiency.
(GEORGIA PACIFIC – PLANT MANAGER, continued)
• Analyzed plant performance and safety compliance to study root causes, identify continuous
3. BARRY L. GEISEL • (706) 818-5916 • barrygeisel@yahoo.com 3
improvement opportunities, and institute corrective measures appropriately.
• Maintained union-free status through excellent employee relations at all levels of the organization.
• Integrated maintenance and operations personnel and supported cross training to improve machine
reliability and better skills/worker utilization.
• Helped develop new product lines to remain viable and competitive with the changing market conditions.
Plant Superintendent – Madison, GA 1994 – 1995
Guided numerous machine reliability and employee engagement initiatives for the plywood plant nationally
recognized for safety excellence (Top 10 with APA). Assisted Plant Manager in developing plant budget.
• Partnered cross-functionally with sales team to communicate production status, prioritize order filling,
and optimize production to meet weekly order needs.
• Conducted inspections, investigated reliability gaps, and addressed deficiencies with support of
department heads and maintenance staff through system and procedural improvements.
• Developed equipment change out program that efficiently scheduled change outs during downtimes,
enhanced safety by avoiding unplanned failures, and improved uptime performances by 50%.
Green-End / Log Yard Superintendent – Madison, GA 1992 – 1994
Managed daily operations, staffing, and training of all 90 employees in Green-End and Log Yard departments.
• Created safety “buddy” system, instilling culture of accountability and rolling it out division-wide.
• Developed departmental monthly budgets ($3.2 MM total), allocating funds and adjusting as necessary.
• Coordinated and prioritized maintenance efforts on a weekly basis to ensure safety compliance and
production performance.
Dryer Superintendent – Madison, GA 1987 – 1992
Provided leadership over daily operations of 125-person department including staffing and training, quality
assurance, and process productivity.
• Improved production efficiency by automating certain processes, ultimately reducing departmental staff
by 28 people over 5 years due and decreasing operating expenses.
• Designed and installed machine upgrades, improving safety, reliability, and productivity of department.
• Increased run rates by 70% by creating and implementing operator ownership and reliability initiatives.
GEORGIA KRAFT 1984 – 1987
Dryer Supervisor – Madison, GA 1986 – 1987
Supervised crew of 31 people on a daily basis, leading process improvement initiatives driven to improve run
rates. Developed weekly maintenance program that enhanced safety and productivity of department.
Assistant H.R. Manager – Madison, GA 1984 – 1986
Oversaw selection, hiring, and training processes for 460+ person facility. Initiated first safety committee at
plant to drive safety excellence.
EDUCATION
BERRY COLLEGE – Rome, GA
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) – Major: Business / Agriculture, Minor: Industrial Technology
4. BARRY L. GEISEL • (706) 818-5916 • barrygeisel@yahoo.com 4
Additional Professional Development Training including: 7 Habits of Highly Effective People; OSHA
Mechanical and Industry training; Safety, Leadership, Maintenance courses.