ROBERT E. SMITH
Consultant, The VMP Group, LLC
Phone: 501-952-0530
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BACKGROUND SUMMARY:
Results-driven Senior Management Executive, my career emphasis has focused on developing exceptional standards of performance, whether in a start-up environment or in conditions requiring restructuring of organizations. By establishing participatory and self-directed team approaches in order to achieve the company’s objectives, I have successfully led teams to greater productivity and profitability within a variety of transitional business cycles. Matured professional experience and management expertise required to succeed. Twenty five years experience with European companies and culture.
• Business Acumen (Broad Thinking, Creating Innovative Solutions to Complex Problems).
• Customer Focus (Priority to excellence and value creation)
• Bias for Action (Create Positive Real Change, High Sense of Urgency Developing Processes & Teams that Ensure Success)
• Communication (Clear, Complete, Candid: Focus on Relevant Facts)
• Performance (Producing Positive Results in all Situations, Fact Based Decisions)
• Innovation (Informed and Balanced Risk Taker, Re-think Experience in New Ways)
WORK EXPERIENCE:
Dassault Falcon Jet 2006-Present
Senior Vice President of Operations/Deputy General Manager
Reporting directly to the General Manager in Little Rock and the Senior Director of Industrial Operations in Paris, France. Primary responsibility is the direction and coordination of all Production, Engineering and Materiel functions for completions, design, manufacturing, and scheduling. Active participant with local and state government on improving training and educational opportunities to increase technical and professional skill base in Arkansas.
Dassault Falcon Jet 1997-2006
Beginning as Director of Completions and advancing to Vice President of Industrial Operations - responsible for all Production activities related to Falcon Business Jet completions. Leading a team of 800 direct and indirect employees, costs and cycle time were reduced, while keeping operating expenses below budget. Selected achievements:
- Reduced costs and cycle time by implementing new processes and eliminating redundant tasks
- Established process controls and variance analysis
- Operating costs were under budget 5 straight years
- Streamlined organizational structure to reduce indirect headcount
- Adapted processes, manpower and facility to meet company objective of increasing output by 50% in years.
- Achieved on-time delivery for all seven years
American Eurocopter Corporation 1992-1997
As the Director of Operations and Director of Corporate Development, I reported directly to the CEO of this $168 million wholly owned subsidiary of Eurocopter, SA, a helicopter manufacturer headquartered in Paris, France. Eurocopter, SA acquired MBB Helicopter Corporation, my previous employer, in 1992. My primary responsibilities encompassed planning and supervision for completion, maintenance and engineering. I interface with Marketing and Customer Service, especially when developing R&D projects.
Selected achievements:
- Helped reduce overall headcount and establish management structure after the merger of the two companies.
- Re-established completion and scheduling processes
- Achieved on-time delivery for the five years
- Reduced completion costs and cycle time
- Established first ISO 9000
MBB Helicopter Corporation 1983-1992
Advancing from a Production Supervisor and Scheduler to the Director of Operations of this subsidiary of MBB Germany, I was provided an excellent opportunity to lead and manage within an industry formerly unknown to me. Rising to the Director level in less than 5 years, I reported to the President/CEO and joined the executive management team. While managing the activities of 50 staff members, establishing and prioritizing all operational activities, I also participated in corporate strategic planning, interfacing with all other departments and negotiating new contracts with outside vendors.
Selected achievements:
- Established initial completion and scheduling processes for this new organization
- Successfully established management structure and moved the Operations group to increase output by over 60%.
- Established initial offload activity of components
- Finalize the initial design of the medical interior layout of the helicopter, through participatory teams and interaction with customers and potential vendors.
- Established and executed plan to close facility and relocate team to Dallas, Texas after merger.
EDUCATION:
Graduate degree: University of Dallas and Penn State, with a major in Management
Bachelor of Science: Business Management from West Chester University
OTHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:
Specialized training includes:
Managerial Effectiveness Training
Leading Effective Teams
Lean Manufacturing
ISO 9000 Lead Auditor Training
Member of Flight Safety Foundation Corporate Advisory Council.