1. JOHN J. KAISER
4601 66th Street 515-321-2248 Cell
Urbandale IA. 50322 kaiser.engr7@gmail.com
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
Project Evaluation · Process Improvement · Project/Operations Management
Executive with solid career progression in Operations and Engineering. Recognized for continued
success in accomplishing organizational goals and objectives through expert project management, team
performance optimization and leadership across functional boundaries. Highly focused problem
seeker/solver, skilled at identifying problem root causes and conceptualizing long-range solutions for cost
reduction and profit growth. Excellent at strategic planning, formulating business plans, defining project
scope, sequence and deliverables. Skilled at Microsoft Office software.
EXPERIENCE
Bridgestone / Firestone, Inc. – Agricultural Tire Company - Des Moines, Iowa - (1985 to 2010)
Awards / Recognitions
• Firestone’s Chairman Award -for Six Sigma achievements
• Patent 7,896,048 Awarded – tooling modification / kaizen work
• Firestone’s CEO Award -for 5S accomplishments
• Firestone’s Chairman Award -for successful Tire Machine Project
Project Manager / Senior Engineer.
• Designed and installed $2.5 million one of a kind, custom equipment.
• Implemented new material handling system to support new $10 million product line.
• Facilitated and coordinated local and corporate cross functional teams on above.
• Designed and approved all safety/ergonomic parameters of machine and components.
• Conducted the pre-manufacture risk assessment and improvement process.
• Traveled internationally to complete design, fabrication and assembly of custom
equipment with Chinese equipment vendor and expedited delivery by 3 months.
• Prepared all documents necessary to justify project funding and bid requests
• Analyzed and reconciled project spending
Member of Six Sigma Tire Line Complexity Team.
• Achieved 10% active component part complexity reduction of parts in 1st year.
• Utilized DMAIC Six Sigma tools and lead cross-functional teams to achieve results.
(Example: Tread Ply 68% parts reduction with +$250,000 annual savings).
• 5S Facilitator and assisted in Green and Yellow Belt activities.
Maintenance Manager.
• Reconciled & completed over 200 Major 5S Projects such as standard final mixer mill
knives, central housekeeping vacuum system and single zone TCU’s on wire winders.
• Completed (BM020) project process with documented multifunctional project adoption.
• Administered departmental budget of over $2 M / month including manpower, training,
spare parts control and improvement projects for equipment/building/facility.
• Lead introduction of racing wire production into Des Moines Facility
• Process gap adjustment program modification resulting in over 50% speed improvement,
• Team Leader for improving company profile/image on internal and community level.

2. • Conducted equipment risk assessments, implemented safety improvements as identified
by Corporate Safety Team and maintained appropriate records.
JOHN J. KAISER page 2
Manufacturing Cell Operations Manager
• Was major Change Agent in the merging of two production areas. After restructuring
the new organization of 300 machine operators had a daily output of 200,000 lbs./day
(4,500 tires per day with value of $250,000+). This increased output by 75%.
• Scheduled training and maintained records for OSHA and EPA programs such as LOTO,
Hearing Conservation, Respirator Mask, Forklift Standards, Hazardous Waste, PPE,
Confined Space, Asbestos Containment and Blood Borne Pathogens.
• Conducted daily safety awareness meeting and investigations of all accident/near miss,
determined/implemented countermeasures including new working standards.
• Facilitated the introduction of Industrial tires and refined production of ATV tires.
• Facilitated conversion from Truck tire to Agricultural tire production (increased daily
volume from 54,000 to 114,000 lbs. /day),
• Managed area implementation of SAP, ISO–9001, ISO-14001, QS–9000 and BST.
• Accomplished 30% productivity improvement in 1st year.
Production Control Manager
• Responsible for WIP inventories ($1.5 Million/day), optimum component production
schedules (1,800+ components/day), and coordination of raw material availability.
• Reduced component delays from over 200 hours to less than 20 hours per day in 1st year.
Engineering Section Manager
• Controlled $7.6 Million Capital and $5.5 Million Expense annual budgets.
• Managed staff of 6 Mechanical and 5 Industrial Engineers to accomplish plant objectives.
Project Manager
• Complete responsibility for $6 Million state of the art Tire Assembly Machine, including
design, fabrication, installation, production startup and financial control.
• Innovative installation procedure reduced project implementation by 9 months (75%)
• Coordinated International Teams and travel to coordinate technical support groups, tire
development process and adherence to accelerated project timetable.
Michelin Tire Group – Lexington, South Carolina (1980 to 1985)
• Reduced size change time by 50% by completing extensive multi-dimensional project
• Prepared technical instruction programs for proprietary equipment.
Ford Motor Company – Steel Division/Casting Division – Dearborn, Michigan (1979 to 1980)
• Supported six plants considering environmental requirements and energy conservation.
• Designed new ingot rail car system resulting in major safety improvement.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Engineering Mechanics, The Pennsylvania State University
Masters of Business Administration, The University of Iowa
Bridgestone Certified Six Sigma Black Belt
CIVIC ACTIVITIES
ESGR - Volunteer / Employer Liaison

3. Iowa Character Counts – Selection Committee
Firestone Salary Credit Union - Board of Directors
Science Center of Iowa - Flood Preparedness / Recovery Team
Habitat for Humanity and Rebuilding America - Team Captain
Variety Club - Annual Telethon Fund Raising Volunteer