Jim Tandy
La Grange
Summary
Dynamic engineering leader with a proven track record at Ferrara Candy Company, driving $60MM in capital projects. Expert in capital project management and continuous improvement, I excel in coaching teams to exceed expectations, achieving $100M incremental GSV. Committed to innovative process design and operational excellence, fostering strong cross-functional partnerships.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Sr. Director of Project Engineering
FERRARA CANDY COMPANY
Oak Brook
01.2017 - Current
- Currently leading a team of 8 salary engineers
- Accountable for plant and strategic capital budgets totaling $60MM in across 9 production sites
- Provide capital estimates and consult on feasibility for new innovations
- Primary escalation for capital and schedule deviations
Regional Engineering Manager
MARS/Wrigley
Chicago
08.2013 - 12.2016
- Managed $85MM major greenfield capacity expansion project
- Led a team of 7 engineers over the span of 2-3 years
- Managed capital budget, general contractor, and asset capitalization activities
- Designed new automated ingredient batching processes and control systems
- Standardized new process improvements and equipment specifications with global engineering partners, corporate purchasing leaders, and other regional engineering groups
Segment Engineering Manager
Mars Chocolate North America
Chicago
10.2012 - 08.2013
- Managed 10 direct salary reports with $40MM of capital execution responsibility
- Strengthened relationship with supply chain leadership team members, post-merger
- Collaborated with external vendor partners to develop a turnkey utility project execution strategy
- Partnered with IT group leaders to develop a new MES strategy to improve ingredient usage tracking
Project Engineer
Mars Chocolate North America
WACO
04.2009 - 10.2012
- Managed $24MM non-nut capacity expansion project from design through execution
- Led a team of 8 engineers to successfully deliver project requirements
- Coordinated heavy construction activities with zero OSHA recordable injuries and no impact to normal plant operations
- Coached and mentored new engineers and provided supplemental performance feedback
- Managed $7.8MM peanut butter brand extension from estimation through execution
- Built strong relationships with process and product R&D to solve rework and slab forming challenges
- Provided consistent leadership while experiencing numerous personnel changes
- Successfully generated $100M incremental GSV in the first year, exceeding expectations by 100%
Senior Project Engineer
General Mills
West Chicago
02.2008 - 04.2009
- Managed 2 engineering interns, developed and executed $2.3MM capital budget
- Partnered with external vendors to develop innovative waste reclamation system
Processing System Engineer
General Mills
Cedar Rapids
01.2007 - 02.2008
- Collaborated with process R&D to standardize new LEAN sugar grinding process at 3 production sites
- Managed start up and production of new high fiber cereal line extension, driving category growth
- Eliminated toaster fire risk by designing a pneumatic dust removal system
- Designed and simplified new ink delivery system, eliminating recurring downtime issues
Maintenance Planner and Team Leader
General Mills
West Chicago
06.2005 - 01.2007
- Partnered with project engineers and used early management CI tools to improve project start-ups
- Trained operations and maintenance associates in planned maintenance CI
- Managed maintenance budget $300K under target while maintaining system performance, decreased pasta waste by 5% annually
Operations Team Leader
General Mills
West Chicago
08.2003 - 05.2005
- Elevated team of 15 direct reports to the top performing shift in the department
- Wrote and delivered performance evaluations and development plans including disciplinary actions
- Improved frosting rework process with product R&D support, reducing annual waste by $20K
Engineering Development Program
General Mills
West Chicago
01.2002 - 07.2003
- Engineering liaison between the plant and product R&D
- Redesigned and standardized product portfolio database
- Coordinated maintenance installation and training for major capacity expansion project
- Directed planned and unplanned maintenance repairs and replacements
- Managed project to reduce product agglomeration and increase throughputs
- Improved product flow by installing enhanced tote filling capability
Education
BS - Chemical Engineering
University of Illinois
Champaign, IL12.2001
Skills
- Engineering management and leadership
- Capital project management
- Execution and oversight
- Coaching and mentoring
- Maintenance management
- Operations management
- Process design
- Continuous improvement
- Lean principles
- Clean design principles
Community Service
- Take Your Child to Work Day Chairperson
- Adopt a Highway Volunteer
- Youth Basketball Coach
- WTTW Public Television Volunteer
- Habitat for Humanity Volunteer
- American Red Cross Blood Donor
- Tennis Meetup Coordinator
Timeline
Sr. Director of Project Engineering
FERRARA CANDY COMPANY
01.2017 - Current
Regional Engineering Manager
MARS/Wrigley
08.2013 - 12.2016
Segment Engineering Manager
Mars Chocolate North America
10.2012 - 08.2013
Project Engineer
Mars Chocolate North America
04.2009 - 10.2012
Senior Project Engineer
General Mills
02.2008 - 04.2009
Processing System Engineer
General Mills
01.2007 - 02.2008
Maintenance Planner and Team Leader
General Mills
06.2005 - 01.2007
Operations Team Leader
General Mills
08.2003 - 05.2005
Engineering Development Program
General Mills
01.2002 - 07.2003
BS - Chemical Engineering
University of Illinois