Keith Belevender

About Keith Belevender

Committed strategist and motivational change agent leading with purpose, driving change where it matters most, and creating environments where people and processes thrive together. Extensive experience and background in safety systems, quality and manufacturing process execution have been defined by a deep commitment to operational excellence, driving sustainable growth linked to year over year improvements in P&L, overall operating performance and customer experience metrics.Experienced at guiding global teams across the automotive and commercial vehicle sectors through complete transformative journeys. Key fundamentals focus on developing a safety-first mindset, embedding lean principles, and data-driven problem solving to achieve double-digit plant profitability improvements, millions in operational waste reduction, and leading organizations to industry-first quality recognitions. At the heart of my leadership philosophy is the belief that lasting results come from empowering people and aligning strategy with execution. A lead by example executive, ensuring my teams know that safety and quality are non-negotiable while also creating space for innovation and growth.

Experience

1. Vice President Operations, Hseq (Americas)

   SAF-HOLLAND Inc.

   Nov 2022 — Present · Muskegon, MI, US

   As Vice President of Operations and HSEQ for the Americas division, I oversee 7manufacturing sites across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil. My focus is ontransforming operational culture through lean manufacturing principles, driving performanceimprovements, and enhancing safety measures. Operational Performance Improvement: Developed and fostered a lean manufacturingtransformation, leading to a 45% improvement in Recordable Accident Rate (RAR)and a 25% increase in process efficiency and productivity since taking over in 2022. Financial Performance: Led the division to achieve a 12% plant gross profit marginby Q1 2023, driven by higher sales and aggressive operational efficiencyimprovements. Waste Reduction: Eliminated $6M in operational waste in 2024, significantlyimproving overall division P&L and supporting bottom-line profitability. Customer Satisfaction & Quality: Increased quality by 50% with a 0 PPM (PartsPer Million) award, achieving first-ever recognition in the division’s history. Delivery & Customer Scorecard: Improved delivery by 35% and elevated customersatisfaction, earning the PACCAR SPM Achiever level in 2024.

Education

• Central Michigan University

  Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc), Industrial Management

  1984 — 1989

• University of Findlay, Findlay Ohio

  Environmental Management Training

• Central Michigan University

  MSA - Master of Science Administration, Industrial Engineering

  1990 — 1993

Skills

• Process Capability
• 5s
• Dfmea
• Poka Yoke
• Lean Manufacturing
• 8d Problem Solving
• Gd&T
• Product Quality
• Dmaic
• Iso
• Cqe
• Pfmea
• Six Sigma