1. Steven C. Palicka
Yorkville, IL 60560 ● (630) 546-4987 ● scpalicka@att.net ● LinkedIn: Steven Palicka
Senior Manufacturing Engineer
Self-starter, Manufacturing Engineer and Certified Supply Chain Professional, offering more than 13 years of
comprehensive achievements within high-volume manufacturing, supply chain management, production planning, and
purchasing environments. Exceptional technical and business acumen with proven success in developing performance-
based, low-cost solutions through interrupting results, Kaizen events, and analytical support establishing new and existing
suppliers and subcontractors. Six Sigma Green Belt Certified.
A catalyst for change recognized for the ability to incorporate innovative management techniques with strategic thinking
that result in enhanced business practices, greater work ethic, increased productivity, positive customer service, and
multimillion-dollar profits. Adept at recognizing, analyzing, and problem solving plant-wide manufacturing problems and
championing solutions for high profile employers and Fortune 500 clients. Exceptional cross-functional team leadership
skills; with an ROI-driven approach.
CORE COMPETENCIES
Strategic Planning & Execution ● Supply Chain Management ● Quality Assurance ● Cross-Functional Team Leadership
Lean Manufacturing ● Project Lifecycle Management ● Operational Excellence ● Continuous Improvement
Vendor Selection & Negotiations ● Supplier Management ● Procedures Improvement ● ISO 9001 Certification
CAD (Pro/E, Pro/MFG. CREO, Teamcenter)(15,000hrs) ● Project Management ● MRP Inventory Management
CPPM & CPPD (Concurrent Product/Process Manufacturing/Development)
Proficient Blueprint Reading ● BOM Management ● MS Office (Excel, Word, PPT) ● Written Documentation
Verbal Communications
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
CATERPILLAR, Aurora, IL 04/2004 Present‒
Product Change Management Engineer (01/2011 12/2016)‒
• Planned implementation of new and corrective engineering drawings, with introduction timeline based on safety,
quality, cost (exhaust, rework, or scrap), and product design.
• Effective team player in leading planning and execution teams of 6-12 member teams in developing and driving
forward-cost initiatives that resulted in $3.5M savings in 3 years through process automation, project costing, and
additional innovations and ideas.
• Implementing Lean Manufacturing in the change process with BIQ(Built in Quality), CI, and standard work.
• Reduced operating costs by $5M through introduction of several configuration and engineering batch updates.
• Established performance metrics, operating goals, realignment initiatives, productivity improvements, and cost
reduction programs that consistently improve output, quality, and customer satisfaction, documenting and filing data-
driven results.
• Interact with Design Engineering teams, providing collaborative partnerships for product development process with
CPPD to implement a sustainable plan for best results for safety, customer specification, and value cost with minimal
impact to product line efficiencies.
Operations Supervisor (06/2008 01/2011)‒
• Motivated manager for 15 to 25 persons on various product lines, product assemblies and weld fabrication; increased
operational performance 5% and completed ramp-up activities in 1st Ops―eliminated a 3-week, past-due record while
maintaining current production within a 4-week period.
• Proactively managed for lean for product and process design including flexible scheduling, process and quality auditing
and parts distribution schedules.
• Develops burn parts into sigma nest for nesting on plate steel and increased efficiency by 5-10%. Completed 2D and 3D
drawings.
• Mentor others with job performance metrics with focus on lean manufacturing, following procedures and safety policies
while meeting various key performance indicators.
• Influence positive passion for teams through a RIF and shift elimination; effectively maintained cost estimated work
rates.
• Champion for Kaizen and CI events for team players to improve standard work for safety, quality, velocity and cost.
2. Focused Project Manager (03/2006 06/2008)‒
• Delivered strong and sustainable operating gains: oversaw all NPI Focus Team activities. Project Management
consisted of product launches in manufacturing, quality, supply chain (procurement, inventory reduction, and on-time
management), operations, engineering, and global purchasing groups while keeping focus on project scope.
• Completed project planning for all TPM production phase-outs for HEX; successfully reduced RSSM to minimal
materials through analytical, warehouse logistics, and inventory reviews.
• Reporting results oriented progress, risks, and plans to implement projects with due diligence with timely, budget,
and quality compliance for team members, stakeholders, and management.
• Led all HEX NPI projects as primary contact for Supply Chain Team. Startup projects included 3 new model
implementation and process improvement in paint before assembly for greater quality improvements.
• Excellent communication skills to effectively provide project status updates with analytical skills and problem solving
skills identifying successes, road blocks and proactive creative solutions using key performance indicators.
Tooling Specialist (04/2004 03/2006)‒
• PRO/E Tool Design and Team Training; 3D modeling of tooling for 3D programming review and clearance checks.
• Successfully implemented multiple cost savings initiatives by recommending competitive production testing and
performance improvement of various metal tooling options.
• Manage indirect tools and gage order fulfillment for supplier purchase orders and delivery management through MRP
and ERP systems.
• Troubleshooting manufacturing issues with tool breakage or quality issues in the machining operations and diagnose
material specifications.
CERTIFICATIONS
APICS Certified Supply Chain Professional, 2013
EDUCATION
EMBRY-RIDDLE AERONAUTICAL UNIVERSITY, Daytona Beach, FL
Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics Area (Aerospace Studies);
Minor in Mathematics
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
GREATER AURORA USBC ASSOCIATION, President (2013 Present); OSWEGOLAND PONY BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL,‒
Umpire (2003 Present); BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA,‒ Eagle Scout Award
