1. KIRK L. CLERMONT
6710 VERNON AVE SOUTH #411, EDINA, MN 55436
(904) 887-6255 ● KCLERMONT@GMAIL.COM
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Team focused Lean Operations Leader with 9 years of experience managing manufacturing teams and P
& L’s up to $100M and 18 years of maintenance management and engineering experience. Versed in the
creation of corporate strategic goals and team based action plans. Skilled in implementing organizational
performance metrics and cultural transformations.
Plant Manufacturing Operations
SCADA / MTTR / MTBF
Employee Coaching & Mentoring
Project Management / ISO / RAM
TQC2 / TPM / SOPs / SSOPs
P & L Budgetary Management
Capital Budgeting & Forecasting
Performance Metrics Systems / KPIs
HACCP / GMP / Aseptic (Sterile)
Procurement / GAAP / MRO / CMMS
Lean / Lean Sigma / DMAIC
Certified Navy Instructor
Process / Productivity Improvement
Visual Management Systems
PSM / PSA / HAZWOPER
Proven game changer, with a history of managing production operations, engineering and maintenance
teams across industries including food and beverage manufacturing, water filtration, battery
manufacturing, dairy, optical fiber, nuclear power, and animal feed biotech additives. Insightful hands-on
leader with highly transferable skill sets, who fosters working relationships between company
stakeholders and their downstream customers to maintain a clear understanding of daily performance to
meet or exceed customers’ expectations.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Secured a corporate backed $2M capital investment and over $1M in annual savings by leading a
lean in-plant “cultural transformation” in a unionized food manufacturing plant (ConAgra
Foods).
Launched and managed a $10M new plant start-up and launched a $4M expansion (Nutraferma).
Created PMs (RCMs) and managed Preventative Maintenance systems that led to 95+% machine
reliability and 80+% line efficiencies.
Using continuous improvement and chokepoint analysis tools, increased throughput across
manufacturing systems (ConAgra Foods- 10%, Schreiber Foods- 15%, Nutraferma- 30%).
Achieved no deficiencies in a surprise audit from the FDA (Nutraferma).
Achieved no deficiencies in audits from the EPA (Schreiber Foods) and FCI (Nutra-Flo).
Passed Maryland Engineer in Training Exam.
Eastern Technical Associates Visible Emissions certified (aka Method 9 Smoke School).
HAZWOPER trained.
CPR/First Aid certified.
Wastewater Treatment Operator trained (Grove, OK).
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
GE OSMONICS Manager, Shop Operations- 3rd
Shift – Minnetonka, MN 2013 to 2014 (laid off)
Supervised all aspects of operation at night via managing over 70 employees across 3 departments. Plant
manufactures reverse osmosis (RO) filtration systems (from membrane to actual filtration unit).
Built a cohesive team that was goal-oriented and focused on results from a diverse and previously dysfunctional
group.
Focused on improving quality level in the Assembly department:
o Cost of Quality reduced from nearly 7% to 5.5%.
o Fiber rework reduced from 12% to 8%.
o Scrap rate fell to under 6%.
2. XTREME POWER Maintenance Manager – Grove, OK 2011 to 2012 (Plant closed)
Managed maintenance program for a late stage start-up power management company's battery manufacturing plant.
Held MRO P&L responsibility. Supervised 11 hourly maintenance and electrical technicians in a 24/7, four-shift
operation.
Created PMs and launched PdM program (thermography, oil analysis).
Achieved record PowerCell production via improving equipment uptime.
Assisted in Environmental, Health, Safety, and Waste Water Treatment Management.
Assisted in project management of $1M curing oven project and several smaller projects.
NUTRAFERMA Maintenance and Operations Manager – North Sioux City, SD 2007 to 2011 (Restructured)
Hired as a subject matter expert and managed all phases of plant production processes, maintenance and quality
systems for a start-up biotech animal feed additive company using solid-state fermentation. Held complete P&L
responsibility, including MRO and procurement. Supervised 18 hourly operators and 2 maintenance technicians in
a 24/7, four-shift operation.
Created PMs, SOPs, SSOPs, GMPs, HACCP, MOC, Maintenance Operating Procedures, and Aseptic (Sterile)
procedures.
Reduced total process time by 17% and fermentation time by 20% using lean process mapping tools.
SCHREIBER FOODS, INC. Maintenance Manager – Gainesville, GA 2005-2006
Managed daily operations of process and packaging systems with one salaried supervisor and 22 hourly mechanics
and electricians on 8, 10, and 12-hour shifts and a P&L of over $1M for dairy manufacturer.
Increased plant throughput 15% by applying Lean Six Sigma and 5S, actively directing troubleshooting efforts,
driving solutions to the root cause, implementing a robust PM program, and creating inaugural operator SOPs.
Supported and mentored Regulatory Technician, reducing plant accident rate by 40%.
Reduced plant raw material/waste 32% by creating SOPs and collaborating with production personnel on
kaizen events.
Created GAAP controls and rapidly turned procurement into a positive margin contribution source.
CONAGRA FOODS Process Improvement Engineer/Interim Production Manager and
Interim IS Manager – Sylvester, GA 2003 to 2004
Implemented Lean methodologies, drove production efficiencies via shop floor controls and visual management,
managed costs, increased yield, optimized procurement strategies, rationalized SKUs, and transformed organization
into a high performance team. Collaborated with each plant department and cross-functionally with corporate staff.
Awarded ConAgra Foods Board of Director’s Award for highest profit margin in Grocery Foods Group.
Awarded ConAgra Foods Sustainable Development Award and identified over $4M in annual cost savings
opportunities.
Taught problem-solving skills and implemented performance metrics to managers, supervisors, and hourly
team members to achieve maximum uptime. Additionally, led kaizen events with same group.
As Interim Production Manager, supervised 48 hourly associates, 3 hourly team leaders, and 3 salaried
supervisors responsible for production operations on a 4-day, two 10-hour shift schedule for associates and a 4-
day, three 8-hour shift schedule for team leaders and supervisors.
Uptime percent, direct labor efficiency, and schedule attainment increased averaging over 80%, 90% and 95%
respectively.
ADDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT AND MILITARY EXPERIENCE
US NAVY (Submarines) 1996 – 2003: Operations Duty Officer/ Nuclear Engineering Instructor / Naval Tactics
Instructor / Communications Officer / Quality Assurance Officer/ Damage Control Assistant / Electrical Officer
EDUCATION
MBA-Finance University ofNorth Florida (did not finish MBA)
BS with merit- Systems Engineering United States Naval Academy (1994)
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Villanova University (to be completed in October, 2014)