Mike Wayne

About Mike Wayne

I\'m an operations-driven executive who thrives at the intersection of chemistry, manufacturing, and entrepreneurial grit. With a dual background in Mechanical Engineering and Organic Chemistry, I’ve built and led organizations across North America and Southeast Asia, scaling startups and reviving legacy facilities alike. Whether it\'s launching a craft brewery in the tropics or reengineering a multi-site chemical production network, I operate with hands-on intensity, cultural fluency, and a bias for action. Across roles from VP Ops to Founder to GM, I’ve delivered results that stick — restructuring unprofitable operations, rebuilding fractured teams, and embedding compliance systems under FDA, USDA, OSHA, and DENR regimes. I’ve led full P&L responsibilities up to $100M, spearheaded ERP and SOP overhauls, and managed workforce transitions from union to non-union, international to domestic. My leadership style borrows from both Mark Cuban and Vince Lombardi: direct, fiercely accountable, and deeply invested in people. I’m now seeking a Chief Operating Officer or VP Operations role where I can apply my pattern recognition, operator’s discipline, and global experience to drive sustainable growth. Ideal fits include food & beverage, chemical, or industrial manufacturing environments that demand strategic scaling, operational rigor, and culture-building from the ground up. I’m equally comfortable in turnaround settings or scaling operations past the founder phase — and I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty to move the mission forward.

Experience

1. Vice President Operations

   Papa Bolo

   Aug 2021 — Present · Tagaytay, PH

   Founder and VPO – Tagaytay, PhilippinesBootstrapped and led full-scale launch of a vertically integrated craft brewery in Southeast Asia, overseeing R&D, manufacturing, taproom operations, branding, and distribution.Scaled operations from concept to production capacity within 9 months, navigating post-COVID construction, supply chain volatility, and licensing hurdles.Built full SOP system from scratch for brewing, QA/QC, and food safety aligned with FDA standards.Recruited and led a 50-person team spanning production, taproom, and kitchen functions — implemented cross-training and shift coverage model that reduced labor cost per unit by 22%.Developed creative marketing and brand development, launching 9 SKUs and landing flagship contracts with hotels, restaurants, and national chains.

Education

• University of Cincinnati

  Chemistry (Synthetic Organic)

• University of Cincinnati

  Mechanical Engineering (IC Hydrogen)

Skills

• Customer Service
• Public Speaking
• Teaching
• Process Improvement
• Management
• Microsoft Excel
• Marketing
• Operations Management
• Team Building
• Laboratory
• Microsoft Word
• Chemistry
• Sales
• Microsoft Office
• Manufacturing
• Product Development