James A. S. Harris

About James A. S. Harris

I am an operations and continuous improvement leader with over 20 years of experience driving performance across manufacturing, logistics, and military environments. I specialize in stabilizing operations, building systems that scale, and developing leaders who consistently deliver results.Throughout my career, I have led high-impact initiatives that improved OEE from 80% to over 90%, reduced defects from 20% to 5%, and increased throughput by 50% in high-volume environments. My approach centers on building structured daily management systems, aligning teams around clear KPIs, and eliminating waste through disciplined execution. I have led teams of 100+ personnel, managed multimillion-dollar assets, and delivered results in both highly regulated manufacturing and fast-paced operational settings.I am known for developing strong leaders at the frontline level—creating ownership, accountability, and consistency in execution. I do not just improve processes; I build systems that sustain performance long after implementation. Key Skills Strategic Planning & Execution Production & Resource Management Process Improvement & Optimization Workflow Optimization Operational Change Management Project & Program Management Mentor/Coach/Facilitator Analytical Problem Solver Team Leadership & Development Safety & OSHA Compliance Regulatory Compliance Inventory Management Budgeting & Cost Control Electrical Engineering Background

Experience

1. Rail Operations Officer (Maj) Senior Operations & Transportation Manager

   Us Army

   Nov 2024 — Present · US

   Lead global rail logistics operations supporting large-scale movement of military equipment and assets across multiple regions.• Direct transportation operations across 3 operational teams, with accountability for $1M+ in equipment • Coordinate execution of global logistics movements, ensuring safe, timely, and efficient delivery of assets • Oversee transportation planning and execution for $50M+ in equipment, improving operational visibility and coordination • Develop contingency plans and execution strategies to mitigate transportation and logistical risk

Education

• Villanova University

  Certificate of Training, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt

  2010 — 2011

• San Jacinto College

  Certificate of Training, Project Management

  2014 — 2014

• DeVry University

  Master of Business Administration (MBA), Project Management

  2013 — 2014

• Rochester Institute of Technology

  Bachelor's degree, Electrical and Electronics Engineering

  2002 — 2007

Skills

• Quality Assurance
• Leadership
• Data Analysis
• Continuous Improvement
• Safety
• Staff Development
• Root Cause Analysis
• Engineering
• Collaboration
• Process Improvement
• Requirements Analysis
• Lean Manufacturing
• Engineering Management
• Complex Project Management
• Process Engineering
• Customer Support
• Microsoft Office
• Six Sigma