Chris Ortega
Director of Operations @MARQ Labs
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WORK HISTORY
Director of Operations @MARQ Labs
Nashville, TN, US
My day-to-day responsibilities are the following:I led the full strategy and execution of manufacturing and distribution across two high-capacity facilities, overseeing 120 employees working dual shifts with full P&L accountability. Every day, I monitored production of over units, driving $100M in annual revenue while ensuring operations stayed agile and responsive to shifting business demands. Below are my notable accomplishments I delivered positive EBITDA for the first time in company history, all while leading complex, high-stakes operational projects that fueled sustainable growth. To enable expansion, I managed two major facility reconstructions—overseeing vendor selection, project timelines, and operational continuity—ultimately building capacity for pallets with scalability for the next 5–7 years. During this period, I scaled the business from $20M to $100M in revenue, transforming EBITDA from negative into a $4.1M positive outcome in 2024. Our physical footprint grew from 44K SF to 90K SF in Alexandria, TN, while I also optimized LaVergne operations from 72K SF at acquisition to 144K SF. Strategically, I expanded operations from one facility with 5–6 production lines to two high-capacity sites, growing to 6X the original square footage while keeping profitability intact. I also played a hands-on role in leading acquisitions and integrations, transitioning key functions across in-house production, 3PL partnerships, and contract manufacturing to relieve capacity constraints. On the CapEx front, I submitted and managed multimillion-dollar projects, including a $2.1M proposal designed to address urgent capacity needs. To strengthen communication and performance, I implemented a global Management Control System, which standardized reporting, clarified expectations, assigned accountability, and created a structured escalation platform, resulting in many improvements, most notable, 70% reduction in safety accidents annually
EDUCATION
California State University
Bachelor of Business Administration, Business Administration, Management and Operations
Lean Six Sigma US
Green belt lean six sigma
Santiago Canyon College
Associate of Arts Degree; Associate of Arts Degree, Mathematics and Science; Liberal Arts
SKILLS
ABOUT CHRIS ORTEGA
Welcome to my LinkedIn profile:As a global manufacturing operations executive, I specialize in scaling complex production and distribution networks, driving operational excellence, and delivering sustainable growth. With a proven track record in high-capacity manufacturing environments, I bring expertise in P&L leadership, lean transformation, change management, and global supply chain optimization. I’m passionate about building high-performing teams, implementing scalable systems, and positioning organizations to thrive in fast-moving, competitive markets. Professional Experience:I’ve led transformative operations across multiple global facilities, from North America to Europe, building systems and teams that scale with growth. My work has spanned operational turnarounds, M&A integrations, large-scale CapEx execution, and the deployment of global management control systems that drive accountability and performance. Whether leading through hypergrowth, steering multimillion-dollar expansions, or pivoting production in times of disruption, I focus on aligning strategy with execution to deliver measurable results. My Key Highlights: Delivered positive EBITDA for the first time in company history while scaling revenue from $20M to $100M and expanding facilities by 6X in under five years. Oversaw manufacturing and distribution across two high-capacity sites, supervising 120 employees and driving production of 100K+ units daily to generate $100M in annual revenue. Orchestrated multimillion-dollar CapEx projects, including a $2.1M expansion to address capacity constraints, while ensuring operational continuity. Directed large-scale reconstructions and expansions, creating capacity for pallets with scalability for 5–7 years. Implemented a global Management Control System that standardized communication, improved engagement, and enabled 120+ employee-driven process improvements—cutting turnover by 60%, reducing customer complaints by 33% and sustaining 71% YOY growth in production. Let’s Connect:If you’re looking to collaborate on global manufacturing strategy, large-scale operational expansions, supply chain transformation, or empathetic leadership in high-performing environments, I’d love to connect. I’m always open to conversations about driving growth through operational excellence and building resilient, scalable manufacturing systems.#ManufacturingLeadership #GlobalOperations #OperationalExcellence #LeanTransformation #SupplyChainStrategy #ChangeLeadership #ExecutiveLeadership #MergersAndAcquisitions #P & LLeadership
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