MICHAEL R.

SHIRK
14 Field Lane * Lititz, PA 17543
717.626.6558 (home) * 717.808.2095 (cell) * msab8742@westpost.net
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SENIOR OPERATIONS EXECUTIVE
CORPORATE STRATEGY, DEVELOPMENT, & IMPLEMENTATION
Accomplished executive with extensive experience in operations and organizationa
l strategic development and implementation. Strong technical and business quali
fications with a background in engineering, operations, and business development
. Excellent communicator, facilitator, and team-builder with 12 years of manage
ment experience.
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CORE COMPETENCIES
* Vision, Strategy, Execution, and Leadership
* Engineering & Operations
* P/L & Performance Improvements
* Risk Management & Supply Chain Management
* Re-Structure, Turnaround, & Change
* Cost Analysis, Reduction, & Control
* Due Diligence, Deal Structuring, & Negotiations
* Product Design & Launch
* Financial & Legal Transactions
* Marketing, Advertising, & PR
* Business Development
* Quality & Continuous Improvement (Lean)

EDUCATION
2000 Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) Lebanon Valley Col
lege Annville, PA
1990 Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering (B.S.M.E.)
The Pennsylvania State University State College, PA

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR - MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT, Lititz, PA
2009 - Present
Operations Management Consulting on contract
* Established and implemented a comprehensive product data management system, i
ncluding part numbering and bill of material (BOM) systems for raw materials, pu
rchased parts, manufactured parts, sub-assemblies, and assemblies.
* Led the planning and implementation of an ERP system, including the analysis
and documentation of business processes/procedures in each functional area of th
e organization, evaluation of software selection, creation of part number, BOM,
and routing databases, prototyping for system testing, and project management/co
ordination.
* Established a comprehensive inventory system (for raw materials and component
 parts), including part numbers, electronic data files, physical storage systems
, and Lean min/max re-ordering triggers.

CLEAN BURN INC., Leola, PA

2001 - 2009
World's leading manufacturer of furnaces and boilers that burn used-oil as a hea
ting fuel for a wide range of industries, including auto dealerships, auto repai
r centers, fast lube centers, and truck service centers
&
MILLCREEK MANUFACTURING CO., Leola, PA
2001 - 2009
Manufacturer of compact manure spreaders for horse owners, turf equipment for sp
orts fields and golf courses, and specialty agriculture equipment for nurseries
and vineyards
General Manager 2006 - 2009
* Led and motivated high performing cross-functional teams, including Finance,
Sales, Marketing, HR, Manufacturing, Engineering, Purchasing/Inventory Control,
Technical Support, and Shipping/Receiving for both Clean Burn Inc. ($15 - $20MM
annual revenues) and Millcreek Manufacturing Co. ($5MM annual revenues).
* Implemented a comprehensive re-structuring of the businesses, resulting in in
creased efficiencies, reduced overhead and operating costs, improved profitabili
ty and cash flow, and faster response to customer demand while continuing to fos
ter a company-wide continuous improvement (Lean) culture.
* Increased Clean Burn Inc.'s and Millcreek Manufacturing Co.'s market share in
rapidly changing markets by delivering high quality products, providing superio
r customer support, and promoting the growth of both companies through new produ
ct launches.
* Led an aggressive marketing/advertising/PR campaign to re-position and streng
then Clean Burn's brand, while enhancing the image of the used-oil heating indus
try as a whole.
* Acted as an advocate for the used-oil heating industry through key leadership
positions in UOMA (Used-Oil Management Association) and NORA (Association of Re
sponsible Recyclers).
* Strengthened Clean Burn Inc.'s worldwide distribution network (34 domestic di
stributors and 10 international distributors) by negotiating an effective distri
butor contract, facilitating the sale/transfer of under-performing territories,
and raising performance requirements. Established and implemented a nationwide
wholesale distribution network for Millcreek Manufacturing Co.
Director of Operations 2003 - 2006
* Directed all Manufacturing, Engineering, Purchasing/Inventory Control, Techni
cal Support, and Shipping/Receiving functions for both Clean Burn Inc. and Millc
reek Manufacturing Co.
* Implemented Lean Manufacturing principles throughout the Manufacturing operat
ion and facilitated the transformation to a continuous-improvement culture. Con
verted production from a forecast/MRP driven system to a pull-to-demand system.
 Lean tools included a 5-S visual workplace, a comprehensive kanban parts system
, a two-bin auto-replenishment inventory system, standardized work procedures, v
alue-stream mapping, and kaizen events.
* Results included a 40% reduction in inventory (WIP and finished goods), a 25
% reduction in direct labor, an 80% reduction in production lead-times, and sign
ificant improvements to cash flow, product quality, and customer satisfaction.
Engineering Manager 2001 - 2003
* Managed a 10-person Engineering department responsible for the research, desi
gn, and development of new furnaces and boilers for the used-oil heating industr
y (Clean Burn Inc.) and new equipment for the compact spreader, turf, and specia
lty agriculture industries (Millcreek Manufacturing Co.).
* Responsible for the development and release of two new furnace models and two
new boiler models for Clean Burn Inc. Facilitated the design, solid modeling,
prototyping, lab and field-testing, and UL-listing/CE-listing for these products
.
* Responsible for the development and release of two new turf topdressing model
s for Millcreek Manufacturing Co. Facilitated the design, solid modeling, proto
typing, and lab and field-testing for these products.

PEIFFER MACHINE DIVISION, Mt. Aetna, PA

1994 - 2001
Designer, manufacturer, and installer of custom automated machinery for a wide r
ange of industries, including aerospace, automotive, medical, clothing, and food
Engineering Manager 1997 - 2001
* Managed a 5-person Engineering department responsible for the design, build,
and installation of custom automated machinery systems. Responsibilities includ
ed customer/site evaluations, preparing financial cost estimates and quotations,
overseeing the machine design and build processes (mechanical/hydraulic/electri
cal), managing budgets and schedules, and coordinating installations.
Design Engineer 1994 - 1997
* Designed custom automated machinery for a variety of industries including aer
ospace (Boeing), food (Hershey Foods), medical (Schott Pharmaceutical), automoti
ve (NTN-BCA, Morgan Corporation, etc.), clothing (W.L. Gore), building materials
(CertainTeed), paper (International Paper), printing (Avery), and music (Steinw
ay & Sons).

ROSS TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION, Leola, PA

1990 - 1994
Designer and manufacturer of high quality custom steel products, including stora
ge and handling systems, security systems, and safety products
Project Engineer 1990 - 1994
* Led projects requiring the design, build, and installation of custom automate
d material handling systems (Harley-Davidson, Ryerson Steel, Morgan Corporation,
etc.) and structural storage rack systems (Home Depot, Lowes, Wal-Mart, etc.).
CREDENTIALS
Active Professional Engineer
License #PE052326E Pennsylvania
2007 - 2010 Director
Lancaster Chamber of Commerce & Industry Board of Directors Lancast
er, PA