Benjamin Krichbaum

About Benjamin Krichbaum

Dynamic and results-driven operations leader with over 20 years of experience transforming manufacturing operations across multiple sites. I specialize in driving operational excellence, implementing lean strategies, and leading high-performing teams to achieve safety, efficiency, and profitability goals. My expertise spans multimillion-dollar project management, P&L oversight, and process optimization, with a proven track record of delivering record-breaking production, reducing costs, and enhancing employee retention.

Experience

1. Plant Manager

   Pilot Chemical Company

   Nov 2020 — Present · Middletown, OH, US

   Led $50M+ site expansions, developing a $10M multi-phase infrastructure improvement plan to enhance operational capacity.Implemented third-party multisite storeroom management, increasing efficiency and reducing costs.Collaborated with Supply Chain to optimize warehousing, boosting packaging capacity and cutting customer lead times.Achieved production records through debottlenecking efforts on key units, improving throughput and quality.Increased employee retention from 55% to 90% and reduced overtime by 35% through strategic leadership.Developed a 5-year automation plan to enhance quality, throughput, and operator safety.Created a Safety Playbook, engaging the entire site in proactive safety measures, and collaborated with local emergency services for large-scale drills.Worked with the site leadership team to drive the injury recordable rate to the lowest in 40 years.Directed OEE improvement plans and 5-year capital strategies, ensuring long-term operational success.

Education

• Ohio University

  BS, Mechanical Engineering

  1998 — 2003

Skills

• Engineering
• Team Leadership
• Solidworks
• Hvac
• Construction
• Autocad
• Management
• Customer Service
• Manufacturing
• Microsoft Office
• Project Engineering
• Product Development
• Purchasing