Jeremy Thomas

About Jeremy Thomas

What sets me apart is my ability to pair executive-level strategic thinking with hands-on operational execution. I take initiatives from concept to implementation, ensuring our teams are aligned, risks are managed, and outcomes are realized. Through my leadership, operations run with greater clarity and consistency, teams grow stronger, and systems are designed to scale effectively.As a seasoned operations and engineering leader, I bring extensive experience in operational excellence, continuous improvement, lean manufacturing, and strategic facility development. I’ve built and mentored exempt leadership teams, led complex cross-functional projects, and driven efficiency-focused initiatives that produce measurable operational and financial results. My background in financial analysis, production staffing, and vendor and supply chain management enables me to make data-driven decisions that support both immediate performance improvements and long-term organizational goals.My strengths center on aligning manufacturing, engineering, and distribution operations with proven continuous-improvement methodologies. I apply disciplined cost-analysis techniques to guide strategic planning and ensure that operational investments — from equipment upgrades to process redesigns — deliver meaningful impact.

Experience

1. Director of Manufacturing

   Wenger Corporation

   Aug 2016 — Present · Owatonna, MN, US

   I am proud to lead the manufacturing and operations teams at our Owatonna, MN facility, where we produce industry-leading Wenger and Gearboss brand products. My role has evolved to encompass leading our manufacturing, technical support, operations engineering, and planning teams. My teams guide their actions by focusing on driving production excellence, fostering organizational growth, managing strategic capital investments, and championing continuous improvement initiatives. With a focus on innovation and efficiency, I’m committed to delivering high-quality solutions that support our company’s mission and enhance value for our customers.Our site manages a diverse portfolio of 25+ product families, encompassing build-to-stock, configure-to-order, and engineer-to-order offerings. With on-site capabilities ranging from high-volume, low-mix assembly to custom structural welding, our processes include robotic welding, laser cutting, powder coating, CNC fabrication, and finished goods assembly while maintaining our ISO 9001: 2015 and FSC programs. We deliver projects ranging in value from $500 to $10 million, driving operational excellence and innovation in every aspect of production.From 2021 to 2023, I had the privilege of overseeing the operations and shipping teams at our Syracuse, NY facility as well. During this time, my primary focus was on improving efficiency and aligning operations across the facility. Collaborating closely with my team and peers, we optimized processes and implemented significant operational and engineering improvements to enhance alignment between facilities and reduce costs. This experience not only honed my leadership skills but also reinforced the value of teamwork, the power of aligned efforts, and strategic planning in driving measurable results.

Education

• Western Illinois University

  M.S., Manufacturing Engineering Systems

  2009 — 2012

• Wartburg College

  BA, Business Administration

  1999 — 2003

Skills

• Inventory Management
• Business Process Improvement
• Value Stream Mapping
• Process Improvement
• Leadership
• Team Building
• Management
• Strategic Planning
• Supply Chain
• Lean Manufacturing
• Six Sigma
• Lean Operations
• Kaizen
• Continuous Improvement
• Operations Management
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Supply Chain Management
• Manufacturing