Dale Crooker

Dale Crooker
Director of Operations
Elk River, MN
daleacrooker@msn.com
PROFESSIONAL GOAL
My professional goal is to gain employment with an OEM in a repetitive assembly environment where I can fully
utilize my skills in Management, and Lean Manufacturing. I have a proven track record of process improvement
and many successful projects as a change manager and team builder. In addition I have gained experience
in the job shop environment and have a full understanding of the problems that hinder positive Supplier/
Customer relations and can foster many new ways to build supplier teams. I offer a unique combination
of manufacturing and lean focused improvements, process enhancement, and an understanding of multiple
products and technologies that could benefit your company. I welcome the opportunity to further this discussion
with your organization.
I look forward to your response and our first meeting.
Sincerely, Dale A. Crooker
Authorized to work in the US for any employer
WORK EXPERIENCE
Production Manager
Manufacturing partners Inc. – Big Lake, MN – August 2013 to Present
Responsibilities
MANUFACTURING PARTNERS INC. Big Lake, Minnesota Aug 2013 – present Operations Manager
Responsible for all aspects of Manufacturing, Planning, Production, CNC Machining and Process Engineering
Departments. Duties include monitoring shop performance, on time delivery, productivity, quality and customer
satisfaction. Also responsible for development of Lean Manufacturing initiatives. My time with the company
has dramatically increased on time delivery, have worked extensively with planning to develop capacity
modules, schedules and improved operational efficiencies. Utilizing my skills with identification of waste within
manufacturing process have increased revenue dollars per direct employee by 33% . Participating member
of the Executive Management Team.
Operations Manager
Checker Machine – New Hope, MN – April 2012 to August 2013
Responsibilities
CHECKER MACHINE New Hope, Minnesota April 2012 – Aug 2013 Operations Manager
Responsible for all aspects of Manufacturing, Purchasing, Planning, Production, Quality and Project
Departments. Duties include monitoring shop performance, on time delivery, productivity, quality and customer
satisfaction. Also responsible for development of our Quality System, and Lean Manufacturing initiatives.
My time with the company has dramatically increased on time delivery, have worked extensively with
planning to develop capacity modules, schedules and improved operational efficiencies. Utilizing my skills
with identification of waste within manufacturing process have identified and solved information-documentation
issues between internal customer resulting in increase production and customer satisfaction. Participating
member of the Executive Management Team.
Director of Operations
LAKE AIR METALS – Coon Rapids, MN – May 2011 to April 2012
As Director of Operations for Lake Air Metals, my responsibilities were precision Sheet Metal Fabrication,
Heavy Welding, Fabrication, CNC Machining and Assembly. Currently 112 direct reports, three shift
operation, high volume job shop environment that caters to the Medical and Aerospace Industries. Also
responsible for on time delivery, quality, safety program and cost reduction thru sustainable Lean initiatives.
Established synchronized one-piece flow manufacturing lines for customer products, established Kanban
card replenishment system for line components, dramatically reduced inventory levels and improved space
constraints, 5S gained improved material flow and dramatically reduced searching due to lost components.
Served as the Director of Quality where I identified and resolved weaknesses within our quality system allowing
us to pass our surveillance audit, was also responsible for quickly resolving customer quality issues and
performing corrective actions to prevent reoccurrence.
Operational Excellence Manager
ELK RIVER MACHINE CORP – Elk River, MN – 2009 to May 2011
Directed Lean initiatives, 5S, Value Stream Mapping, Kaizen events, visual management, Tier Meeting/
Process planning, also responsible for monitoring and reporting to Cretex Corporate; on time delivery, cost
of quality, cost reduction (SCIP) Small Continuous Improvement Project. Was a member of the Cretex
Operational Excellence team developing and sharing best practice, performed Laser Tracker CMM Inspections
and layout on complex components, Consistently performed in-process checks recommended fixture and
process improvements on work in progress to improve productivity quality and reduce cost. Accurately
designed and built improved manufacturing fixtures that significantly reduced assembly time and improved
quality. Experience and product awareness assited in the identification of potential improvements and
recommended solutions.
• ISO9001 leader of the team as DQR with a focus on the timely implementation of ISO9001
• Expertise in identifying waste contributed to […] in bottom line savings
• Float Department Manager
Production Manager
CARL ZEISS, INCORPORATED – Maple Grove, MN – 1984 to 2009
Long-term, dedicated and skilled Leader who consistently managed the International Metrology Division and
provided guidance, direction, training and goals for 52 manufacturing technicians. Drove the timely annual
production of 900, complex high-tolerance, high-end Coordinate Measuring Machines. Planned and scheduled
multiple departments, monitored progress to insure quality, productivity and on time delivery. Subsequent
monthly production volume of delivered machinery often exceeded […] • Effectively established synchronized one-piece flow manufacturing lines in Germany, China and US
production facilities, and consistently trained critical personnel in Lean tools to sustain the continuous
improvement initiatives. Upon completion, the facilities were ably positioned with increased production and
quality capabilities
• Successfully drove the implementation of improved Lean Manufacturing methodology utilizing Kaizen, 5S,
one-piece flow, and standard work practices and methodologies. Focused on a reduction of inventory levels,
increased productivity and throughput ratios
• Recognized for successfully implementing, ISO 9001 and 17025 calibration standards
Ensured the highest level of quality logistics functionality by overseeing the packaging and creating operations
and implementing complex shipping procedures and protocols. The reduction in damage and liability claims,
efforts at maximizing product quality and on-time delivery contributed to a top reputation in the industry.
Recognized project management skills were demonstrated by thoroughly troubleshooting and quickly resolving
purchasing, engineering, planning, quality, and inventory issues, while simultaneously assuring timely project
progress, contract compliance and process completion.
• Created and launched Mechanical Sub-Assembly, Electrical Sub-Assembly Machine-Assembly, Projects,
Prototype Machine Shop, Machine Integration, Laser Mapping, and Final System Acceptance and
subsequently recruited, trained, ensured the quality output of manufacturing technicians and mechanical
Sub-Assembly Teams. Consistently established productivity objectives, benchmarks and regularly surpassed
production and contracted demands
• Dramatically streamlined critical stockroom operations, improved storage and inventory access and
significantly reduced on hand material and component damage and loss. Created shop-floor point of use
Kanbans and Vendor Kanban functions utilizing visual management principals
• Strategically implemented team and equipment safety practices and protocols, maintained full OSHA
recording and policy compliance, and minimized injuries and workman’s compensation claims
• Skilled in creating accurate measurement metrics and visual management tools to make the production
process clear and transparent,
• Recognized for proficiency with time study methodologies and the detailed identification of waste in the
production environment
SKILLS
Management (10+ years), Lean manufacturing (10+ years), Electro Mechanical assembly (10+ years),
Machining (6 years)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
CORE COMPETENCIES
Leadership * 5S * Kaizen * Value Stream Mapping * Visual Management * Kanban * One-Piece Flow
* Time Study * Step Study * Process Improvement * Innovation * Continuous Improvement * OSHA
* Forecasting * Assembly * Quality * Manufacturing * Man Fact * SAP * JD Edwards * Materials
* Lean * Inspections * Project Manager * ISO 9001 * 17025 Calibration Standards * Process Design
* Productivity * Goal Setting * Electro-Mechanical Manufacturing * Carpentry * Machinist
* Metal Fabrication * Precision Robotics * Prototype Refinement * Packaging Design
* Process Documentation * Team Building * Process Measures * Mentoring * Problem Solving
* Cost Reduction * Waste Elimination