Blake Clifford, Sr.

Provide specialized knowledge and guidance to clients and team members on Logistics, Warehousing, and Distribution Center Operations.  Assist client organizations in making informed decisions, developing new processes and/or services, and aligning with industry trends and best practices.

Current & Recent Projects: Clemens Food Group, Dayton Superior Corp, JB Food Group, Kindeva

Developed and documented pre-conversion site profiles, process gaps, and conversion solutions for each Logistics Center's WMS conversion. Analyzed existing operations and provided improvement recommendations for existing customer solutions.

Functional Activities:

• Implemented Blue Yonder WMS at Distribution Centers
• Developed and Documented Pre-Conversion Site Profiles, Process Gaps, and Conversion Solutions for Logistics Centers’ WMS conversion
• Analyzed Existing Operations and Provide Improvement Recommendations for Existing Customer Solutions

Projects

• Large-scale, multi-phase, multi-site/DC conversion to Blue Yonder WMS (USA)
• Systems & Operations Health Check: Multi-site Post Blue Yonder conversion (USA)
• Distribution Center startup and Blue Yonder WMS conversion (Chicago)
• Multi-site exit (Midwest)
• Large-scale multi-site product integration (USA)
• Multi-site shutdown (Canada)

Achievements Summarized

• Reduced Operational Costs
• Increased Operational Efficiency and Reliability
• Reduced Non-Productive Time
• Reduced Waste / Variance
• Increased Quality
• Reduced Human Error

Supported and positively affected Change Management throughout client organizations.

• Developed protocols to assist client team’s adaptation during the fluctuating dynamic of maintaining operations during change and transformation
• Coached, counseled, and trained team members on leading practices
• Advanced managers’ proficiency in processes and operating platforms
• Guided and encouraged highly collaborative work environments, advocated for innovation, and advanced the capabilities of teams

Evaluated compliance uncovering improvement opportunities and accountability gaps.

• Developed and Employed Client-Specific Readiness Assessment and individual Site Evaluation to review adherence to:
  
  • System operating and process requirements
  • Company, regulatory, and customer requirements
  • Evaluated and aligned Job Profiles to operations’ requirements
  • Assessed training needs and requirements to facilitate program development

Analyzed Operations

• Identified, analyzed, and improved process optimizing performance
• Applied an enterprise approach to aligning functions
• Administration, strategic partnership team, solution development, and operations to efficiently meet current and prospective customer requirements

Led client relationships and operational execution for both transportation and warehouse operations in four geographic markets:

• Hartford, Connecticut; Dayton, Ohio; Elkhart, Indiana; Saint Joseph, Michigan.
  • Achieved sustained improvements in productivity, customer satisfaction, profitability, and expansion
  • ISO quality program development, implementation, and subsequent ISO registration
  • Developed, standardized, and implemented all operational and relative administrative functions

Customers: Nestle Water, Mann+Hummel, Robert Bosch Corporation, USDA, USPS, Motion Industries

Led Chicago market operations comprised of two multi-client pharmaceutical and food grade 371,000sf and 238,000sf Midwest regional distribution facilities.

Summary

• Set strategic, operational direction for regional Distribution Centers
  
• Advanced the strategic direction to ensure day-to-day operations ran smoothly
  
• Represented regional contract logistics division and business requirements for cross-divisional business planning and collaboration
  

Achievements

• Achieved monthly and annual bottom-line profit through improved operations performance
  
• Evaluated and adjusted the management team. Removed non-performers, developed existing talent, and hired effective individuals, enhancing operational strength and flexibility
• Developed, documented, and rolled out programs for coaching, succession planning, continuous improvement, safety, quality, sanitation, productivity, and facility communication programs, improving consistency and, consequently, performance 

Customers: Merisant Food Corp, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Omron Healthcare, ManRoland, Rheem, CVS, California Innovations, Sun Microsystems, Valor Brands, BMW, US Surgical / Tyco, Ingersoll Rand

Led three dedicated distribution centers.

• Responsible for the operational readiness of new warehouse to service a client, including validating training plans, equipment plans, and logistics details

The Home Depot – Hillside, Illinois
Led operational and financial turnaround of a 90,000sf 200 store/230 door cross-dock facility operated for The Home Depot with a team of 12 managers and 175 associates.

Hormel Foods – Dayton, Ohio
Led a 140,000sf high-bay refrigerated and frozen distribution center servicing the Eastern portion of the United States for Hormel Foods with a team of 15 managers and 135 associates.

Kraft Foods – Aurora, Illinois
Led a 560,000sf dry distribution center servicing the Midwestern region for Kraft Foods with a team of 13 managers and 140 associates.

Led 2nd shift Distribution Center Operations for 1.2 million square foot semi-automated distribution center with 18 managers and 300-450 second shift associates.

• Automatic Crossdock, Casepack, Data Processing, Inventory Control, Maintenance, Non-Con, Putaway, Quality, Repack, Receiving, Safety, Security, and Shipping

Faculty member for the Doctor of Education program at the university's College of Graduate and Professional Studies, teaching online:

EDU 811:   Diagnosing Organizational Dynamics
Transformative leaders are successful in diagnosing and interacting with both internal and external forces affecting the organizational environment. Students analyze case studies of effective and ineffective individual, group, and organizational dynamics that drive and restrain change processes.

As an Adjunct Professor at Robert Morris University Illinois, I taught in-class and hybrid:

BPS 340:   Role of the Professional in Society

MGT 400:  Operations Management

MGT 285:  Small Business Management

Transformative Leadership

Strategic Leadership