Consulting Engineers to the Wood Products Industry

3072 Finland Road, Pennsburg, PA 18073 USA

VOX 215.397.8236

                                                             
line decor
  
line decor
 
 
 
 

 
 

Alan Severance

Organizational and Change Management

 

I am an innovative organizational leader with sound experience using a Lean/Agile manufacturing philosophy that includes eliminating activities that do not add value for the customer while improving the company's ability to respond to market changes.  I look forward to sharing my 30 years of experience and people skills to mentor your staff on implementation methods to effectively strengthen interdependent work relationships that will guide your company through the substantial culture change of moving from traditional approaches to customer focused, agile and lean environments. 

Relevant Skills, Experience, and Accomplishments:

People Development – I have increased teamwork throughout companies by creating opportunities and career paths to advance the management and workforce both professionally and personally through succession plans and programs for professional development.

  • Trained managers and supervisors as facilitators, giving them the tools to motivate people to take responsibility and commit to excellence

  • Established an organization-wide common problem identification and problem solving methodology to facilitate team effectiveness

  • Developed associate awareness about the importance of interdependent work process relationships.

  • Mentored and provided business guidance to start-up firms

Process Improvement and Problem Solving – I am experienced at improving productivity and reducing costs through the application of people-centered approaches.  I have introduced and implemented Lean/Agile Manufacturing approaches guiding companies and personnel through these projects.  My people-centered approaches lead to concerted effort and increased cooperation to identify and address key business issues and facilitate group problem solving, from identifying problems through implementing solutions.

  • Improved flexibility and adaptability by changing production from batch operation to flow

  • Established process improvement roadmap, introduced scheduling disciplines, and increased on-time shipments

  • Reduced waste, space requirements, and improved productivity to increase speed and time-to-value by closing an unprofitable product line and shifting resources to profitable lines

  • Reduced component inventory by sourcing components domestically and implementing MRP ordering procedures.

  • Cut work-in-process 75% by using Just-In-Time techniques and production schedule disciplines.

  • Reduced lead times for make-to-order products from eight weeks to two weeks and converted the rapid response order program from a make-to-stock to a make-to-order business

Planning – I have 30 years experience in manufacturing planning and control optimizing the acquisition and allocation of limited resources to production activities to satisfy customer demand. 

  • Designed and implemented Sales & Operations Planning process to ensure a consistent company-wide approach to business planning. 

  • Proactively developed contingency plans to scale businesses for timely response to changing market conditions

  • Developed both short- and long-range business plans and operating budgets, and project schedules

Organization and Management – I have structured several organizations to effectively address current and future market requirements.  I have experience recruiting, training, and leading multi-disciplinary professionals to deliver high value returns on investment.

  • Managed manufacturing, materials management, logistics, engineering and customer service functions

Experienced in:

  • Teaching supervisors how to lead Continuous Improvement Teams

  • Implementing Lean manufacturing approaches including Kan Bans and Kaizens

  • Planning

  • Focusing management team members

  • Reducing inventory

  • Directing company-wide implementation of JIT principles leading to reduced floor space requirements and shorter cycle times

Education

  • MBA, Organization and Management from Temple University, Philadelphia, PA

  • BA from Hamilton College, Clinton, NY