D.J. brings over 20 years of experience implementing lean process improvements across various industries. He seeks to align continuous process improvement initiatives like Lean and Six Sigma with human resource systems and leadership practices. His expertise includes leveraging Lean principles in areas like performance management and leadership development. D.J. has led many successful lean transformations, achieving millions in savings through approaches like reducing work in process by 65% and inventory turns from 1.6 to 5.3%. He currently works with several global companies on lean manufacturing and supply chain transformations.

1. Overview: D.J. brings to the Gemba team more than 20 years of professional experience in practical application, facilitation and implementation of lean process improvement initiatives in manufacturing, aviation/aerospace, logistics, transactional, government and service industries. He seeks to use his process knowledge and leadership skills to develop those key organizational strategies that align the Continuous Process Improvement (CPI) initiatives (Lean, EFQM, TOC, Six Sigma, etc.) with the people aspect of the organization (Human Resources systems). Leveraging the structure and principles of Lean into core enterprise competencies, performance management systems, and leadership practices is his particular area of focus and expertise. Experience: D.J.’s years of consulting experience have involved all aspects of lean transformation from leadership development, problem-solving & decision making practices, train-the-trainer sessions to developing in-house capabilities, leading focused improvement initiatives and most importantly achieving bottom-line results. Results included more than $3 million in actual savings; reduction of work in process (WIP) by 65%; production lead time from 42 to 18 days; hiring lead time from 30 days @ $3643 to 18 days @ $1338; inventory turns from 1.6 to 5.3% and NET Profit as a % of sales increased from 2.1 to 7.4%. Experiences include: Full Lean and Six Sigma Transformations in logistics, manufacturing, government and service; Strategy Development & Cascading Deployment (Hoshin & Balance Scorecard) in telecommunications & government; Mid to Senior Management & Team Development to CEO level (Coaching / Mentoring) in all industries; Demand and Capacity Analysis , Standard Work, Value Stream, Kaizen, Hoshin, Project Management in all industries. He is currently working on a lean manufacturing transformation with a global household appliance firm, doing Kaizen Leadership for a global supply chain entity and implementing a full deployment of TPS methodologies in a key telecommunications company in Dubai & Saudi Arabia. Background: D.J. is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran . Has an Associate’s Degree in Asian Studies; a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management; and is a 2005 Graduate of the Department of Defense Executive Leadership Development Program. His certifications include BPR Practitioner, Lean Six Sigma Green/Black Belt & Implementation Champion, Strategic Management, TQM Facilitator and Leadership Coach/Mentor. D.J. is fluent in English and very conversant in Japanese. DJ Duarte Senior Consultant Gemba Japan Office