Kirk Martin is an experienced manufacturing leader with over 26 years of experience at Whirlpool Corporation. He has held several leadership roles of increasing responsibility at Whirlpool, including Program Manager, Manager of New Product Development, and Unit Manager. Martin has a proven track record of delivering projects on time and on budget while meeting quality and safety standards. He is skilled in lean manufacturing principles and cross-functional team leadership.

1. Kirk Martin
8912 Canterbury Cove
Fort Smith, AR 72903
Cell: (479) 719-4757 kirk_martin@sbcglobal.net
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Experienced manufacturing leader with proven ability to work across all functions to deliver
products that meet internal and external customer expectations. Leadership has been
demonstrated within daily production and project delivery roles. Manufacturing experience
includes application of lean waste elimination principles.
.
Key Strengths
· Cross-functional Team
Leadership
· Project Delivery · New Product Development
· Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost
Leadership
· Character & Enduring Values · Lean Manufacturing
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Whirlpool Corporation Fort Smith, AR September 7, 1987 – June 30, 2014
Manufacturer of freestanding and built-in refrigerators and trash compactors for the residential market.
Program Manager - Corporate/Remote Fort Smith Office January 1, 2012- present
Corporate position leading large projects at Refrigeration sites (Iowa, Ohio, Mexico).
· Completed move of assembly line from Fort Smith, AR to Amana, IA ($4M Capital).
· Implemented conversion of three plants to next-generation urethane foam with best GWP in world.
· Leading full-model revision of built-in refrigerator model line including compliance with 2014 Energy
Standards ($9M Capital, 150 new tools, 500 new parts).
· Leading cross-functional (11 functions) project teams.
· Leading 2-3 projects coincidentally, typical workload.
· Work closely with Marketing to secure project approvals and secure resources (manpower, expense,
capital) required to deliver.
· Manage projects to indentify and deliver key performance indicator (service rate, cost, capital, launch
date, financials) commitments through life of projects. Quantify, elevate risk as needed.
· Travel, as required, to support teams and deliver to key project tollgates.
· Provide regular project reviews (weekly reports and presentations) to decision-makers, executives.
· Provide performance feedback to team members.
Manager - New Product Development May 19, 2004 – January 1, 2012
Managed new model team recognized as best performance within Refrigeration.
· Delivered new models ranging from model line updates to full platform redesigns.
· Managed department of 12 employees (salaried, non-exempt, hourly).
· Worked closely with Design and Technology Center serving as liaison for manufacturing.
· Conducted all manufacturing tollgate reviews and provided letters of findings to Program Manager.
· Managed First Part Approval process including part-to-print checks and documentation.
· Travel, as required, to provide early manufacturing input with design teams on new projects.

2. · Served on special assignments including complete renovation of existing assembly line as lean pilot.
Unit Manager - Door Business Unit October 1, 2000 - May 19, 2004
Managed department with three-shift operation supplying three assembly lines.
· Managed department of 940 hourly employees, 9 advisors, 5 engineers, 6 non-exempts.
· Responsible for annual budget/profit plan preparation, control, and reporting.
· Co-chair with department union leadership as part of union-management cooperative leadership.
· Implemented new equipment with engineering staff including purchase, installation, startup.
· Responsible for daily safety, quality, cost, delivery performance and reporting.
· Served on several cross-functional teams including safety, quality, lean teams.
Unit Manager - Steel Fab/Icemaker Business Unit August 1, 1999 - October 1, 2000
Managed department with three-shift operation supplying three assembly lines.
· Managed department of 210 hourly employees, 14 advisors, 7 engineers, 6 non-exempts.
· Duties similar to Door BU - annual budget preparation, production planning/reporting, employee
administration.
Lead Engineer May 1, 1990 - August 1, 1999
Supervised engineering group and implemented key projects.
· Supervised projects including specification, quoting, capital management, purchase, installation and
startup. Projects total over $31M capital including installation of a flexible manufacturing cell.
· Worked closely with manufacturing including training and documentation for new process
equipment.
· Cost/quality projects supporting business units.
· Provided salary administration for engineers serving on project teams.
Senior Engineer June 1, 1989 - May 1, 1990
Responsible for foam process areas for cabinets and doors. Served on special assignments, as required
including factory master plan, plant rearrangement.
Tool and Process Engineer September 7, 1987 - June 1, 1989
Responsible for processes - manufacturing engineering and quality support.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science Chemical Engineering - University of Arkansas – Fayetteville, AR - May 1979
Associate of Arts – Westark Community College – Fort Smith, AR - May 1976
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
Six Sigma Black Belt Training Lean Manufacturing/Lean Enterprise Systems
Product Safety Project Management
Demand Flow Technology JIT
Value Stream Mapping Visual Factory Management & 5S
Zenger/Miller Basic Principles Quality Function Deployment
SPC Failure Mode Effects Analysis
GD&T Polyurethanes Processing - Bayer

3. ACTIVITIES
Church - Chairman of Deacon Ministry Team, Chairman Board of Overseers, adult choir member, teach Bible study
Outdoor sports - fishing, hunting, camping, motorcycle touring, cycling
Family, Grandchildren