Rick Thompson

Rick is a senior operations executive with more than 30 years of experience in lean manufacturing & performance improvement. He is particularly skilled in project management, supply chain management, S&OP, pull systems for inventory right-sizing, operations metrics, and P&L management across a variety of industries. He specializes in increasing productivity and reducing costs through manufacturing and business process improvement initiatives.

Notable accomplishments include:

• Led the operational restructuring of a Tier 1 automotive parts supplier during a strategic acquisition, where he established quality control measures and working capital improvements, implemented manufacturing cells, reduced cycle time, and managed the renovation and consolidation of manufacturing facilities
• Managed facility relocation and manufacturing startup in Mexico for a global consumer products company, including a Mexican supply-chain setup, where he was responsible for the P&L
• Interim vice president of operations for a global consumer products company serving the hotel industry, where he established an operations management process, led efforts in increase productivity and capacity through setup reduction
• Vice president of worldwide operations for a lighting products manufacturer, where he consolidated manufacturing facilities, including UK manufacturing to the US, outsourced specific manufacturing to China, reduced inventory and cycle time, established lean manufacturing methods, and implemented an effective NPI process
• Led the Program Management Office for a $60 billion OEM of personal computers
• Served as general manager for a $200 million Mexican division of a $24 billion global contract manufacturer, including directing the green-field start up of a Miexican-US border plastics and metals operation
• As interim chief operating officer (COO) for a $300 million nut processing company, he established operations metrics, managed both US and Mexican operations, and transitioned the company to ownership
• Led the restructuring of a global appliance manufacturing company where he significantly improved EBITDA and decreased inventory through a methodical approach to cost reduction and cash generation, project generation, and management
• Project managed a new plant build-out and consolidation of three manufacturing plants and a DC in three states into the new plant

During his career, Rick has served in a number of managerial roles both on an interim and non-interim basis, including positions specializing in lean manufacturing methodologies. In addition to assisting clients with operational improvement, he has helped to develop their overall strategic direction and their methodology for order fulfillment.

Membership

• Rick is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) with the Project Management Institute, as well as a Certified Turnaround Professional (CTP) with the Turnaround Management Association.

Education

• B.S., Texas A&M University
• M.B.A., The University of Texas at Austin