Fred Kirsch

About Fred Kirsch

An innovative supply chain and manufacturing, leader with extensive global experience driving process and profit improvement. Blend engineering expertise with international operational leadership to drive continuous improvements throughout the product development lifecycle and supply chain. Known for building high performance teams, project management, establishing cultures of excellence and collaboration, and cultivating strong supplier relationships and long-lasting partnerships. I\'m currently semi-retired, but open to working on projects that best utilize my skills. I enjoy operations, but really enjoy supply-chain; finding, developing and maintaining a long-term supplier partnerships. High Impact Results • Developed extensive supply chain relationships in the US, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Hong Kong, France and South Korea. • Setup fully functional production team in Shenzhen China to handle production & test activities. • Developed partnerships with Contract Manufacturers. • Increased new product development from 5 - 6 projects to 11 - 12 projects annually. • Improved margins 5% annually, 7 straight years; developed same-day-delivery on 95% of product line. • Built engineering development team in US, improving quality, lowering defect rate from 4-5% to 0.2%. • Worked with engineering teams in France, China and Vietnam • Incorporated Kanban, JIT and lean concepts, reducing on-hand inventory from 33% to 11.7% of sales. • Achieved ISO9001, ISO17025 and ISO14001 • Key member of the core development team that implemented NetSuite, a cloud-based ERP system Core Competencies • International Operations • Multi-Plant Operations • Change Management • Supplier Partnerships • Operational Excellence • Supply Chain • Continuous Improvement • Quality & Safety • Product Development • P&L Accountability • Strategic Planning • Training & Leadership

Experience

1. Global Supply Chain and Manufacturing Operations Advisor VP

   Dickson

   Mar 2024 — Present · Addison, IL, US

   Manage multi-site teams in Illinois, France and China through 30 direct reports while overseeing external engineering development firms.\\\\n Global operations focus; Supply-chain, calibrations, transportation, compliance, etc. Established fully functional manufacturing and test team in China, while overseeing production and procurement.\\\\n Championed change in the US production team’s responsibilities, from prep and assembly to calibration, final inspection, service and fulfillment.\\\\n Directed all phases of product design and development including product specifications, hardware, software and mechanical design.\\\\n Built a dynamic internal team responsible for engineering, electrical, mechanical, industrial design, calibration process (software and chamber development, test, and documentation).\\\\n Redesigned a majority of the company’s legacy products, adding features that improved reliability, reduced costs and made assembly easier.\\\\n Improved internal design capabilities by developing partnerships with a few different outside development firms. Enhanced hardware, firmware and software development.\\\\n Developed engineering capabilities in China, building team in Beijing that co-developed with US engineers.\\\\n Established the yearly Manufacturing and Engineering plan and presented it to the Board of Directors.\\\\n Developed department budget, staffing requirements and capital expenditures.\\\\n Direct technical support, warehouse mapping and field installation teams.\\\\n Built and empowered teams, fostering a culture of professional development and teamwork.\\\\n \\\\n\\\\n \\\\n \\\\n\\\\n \\\\n

Education

• Northern Ilinois University

  Bachelor’s Degree, Engineering/Industrial Management

  1984 — 1988

• Illinois Institute of Technology

  Business Administration and Management, General

  1990 — 1992

• Triton College

  AAS, Machine Tool Technology/Machinist

  1982 — 1984