Karen Chin

Plant Manager at Materion Advanced Chemicals Inc

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States

About

Operations Manager | Project Manager | Logistics Manager “Applying Operations, Quality and Process Improvement for Business Excellence” I am an accomplished Operations Leader with 15+ yrs experience managing operations, manufacturing and pilot plants, project management, supply chain, and product line management. With degrees in Engineering and Management, I easily bridge the gap between technical processes and business strategies and expectations. I thrive in leading challenging endeavors, finding rigorous solutions by restructuring and improving dire situations through change management processes. MY BACKGROUND: Recently, as Operations Manager at Segetis, I oversaw production and distribution for commercial sales including scaling up and piloting research projects for process validity, and data mining information required for larger commercial plant builds. As project manager and team leader, I led construction and build of small pilots and / or demonstration facilities with safe designs to protect people, environment and infrastructure. I am a strong and collaborative leader who seeks to understand the needs and characteristics of team members. I provide clear, concise goals with realistic milestones and conduct follow-up evaluation and communication. I believe Information sharing and archiving is crucial. I am an effective multitasker who prioritizes workflow while considering risks. I trust, challenge, coach and mentor others to help them grow. KEY ATTRIBUTES: • Engineering and Business Background | Global Experience • Continuous Improvement • High Performance | Results Oriented • Achieve Results through Strict Timelines and Budgets • Strategic Planning | Manage Project Teams | Successful Execution • Proficient at Hiring and Retaining the Right People | Mentoring and Coaching • Effective Decision Maker | Learning Agility SPECIALTIES: Demand Plan, Inventory Control, Root Cause Analysis, Front End Loading

Experience

  • Plant Manager at Materion Advance Chemicals Inc
    Aug 2018 - Present · 8 yrs

  • Operations Manager at Ferro Corporation
    Sep 2015 - Aug 2018 · 3 yrs

    Managed site population of 230 employees with high complexity and a 24/7 operation with full P&L responsibility.

  • Operations Manager | Project Management | Supply Chain | Continuous Improvement | Change Management at Segetis Inc
    2007 - May 2015 · 8 yrs 5 mos

    Managed plant operations, supply chain and project manager for key projects for scale-up of new innovative processes and products.

  • LANXESS ()
    • Product Line Manager and Product Logistics Planning | Inventory Control | Business Planning
      2005 - 2007 · 2 yrs

      Monitored the creation and development of a product from research development through regulatory registration to final commercialization, ensuring it met consumer demands. •Executed and coordinated an inventory plan for Solvent Dyes, specialty dyes, Inkjet Dyes, Organic Pigments, Specialty Pigments, Blowing Agents, and Borchers Coatings Products consistent with management expectations and sales objectives all within the SAP system and processes. •LEAN principles to ensure that the right amount of product was available on hand.

    • Market Development Manager | Marketing Strategy | New Business Development | Trade Shows
      2004 - 2005 · 1 yr

      Built and implemented new marketing strategies and brand the business of Architectural Coatings and Paint market. •Developed product brochures for US and global acceptance. •Provided training of sales force to take products to the market. Participated in trade shows. •Marketed Solvent Dyes in plastic and powder coating applications. Continually evaluated new products to enhance existing product portfolio. •Worked for nine months on a carve-out of business activities from Bayer Corporation forming new company LANXESS Corporation. Evaluated cost and validity of moving/consolidating five business unit labs.

  • Bayer AG (6 yrs 1 mo)
    • Assistant Plant Manager | Technology Transfer | Global Experience
      2001 - 2004 · 3 yrs

      Foreign Assignment •Secured and documented granulation process know-how belonging to Bayer Chemicals from former joint venture partners. •Assisted in third street expansion of Solvent dyes. •Project team member for construction of spray drying unit

    • Pilot Plant Superintendent | R&D | Continuous Improvement | Process Engineering | Scale-up
      1998 - 2001 · 3 yrs

      Managed the pilot plant operations for scale-up, market development, product improvements and product production of high performance organic pigments and dyestuffs. •Managed, directed, planned, coordinated and directed the evaluation and scale up of new processes and product development of coatings and colorants. •Developed Appropriate Funding Expenditures (AFE) and Engineering Work Order Requests (EWR) of projects for continuous improvement in processes and unit operations. •Maintained excellent pilot plant safety record (4 years).