Donald Cunningham

Background

About Donald Cunningham

Strategic and results-driven Operations and Continuous Improvement Leader, specializing in steering business operations, lean and quality management, logistics, and continuous process improvements with a strong commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Grounded in the "people, service, profit (PSP)" ethos, I devise highly effective process solutions through critical thinking, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and growth initiatives. As a collaborative and motivational leader, I empower high-performing individuals and teams through comprehensive training, mentoring, coaching, and accountability measures. Adept at guiding both internal and external stakeholders to synchronize priorities with short and long-term organizational strategies. Recognized for consistently achieving excellence in restructuring business operations, reducing operating costs, and simultaneously boosting profit margins. As an Operations Excellence (OPS EX) leader, I oversaw OPS EX, including Lean Process improvements for ~50 facilities across the US, providing highly innovative and efficient process solutions that align with organizational objectives and growth initiatives. I have led 130+ Kaizen process improvement events and 8 value stream sessions, resulting in >$4.47M in savings and generated $1.5M in profitability while also developing and mentoring future organization Lean leaders. Leads CPI teams, driving improvements via critical thinking, A3 Problem-Solving, 5S, visual management, standard work, performance measurement, Kanban systems, and other relevant Lean Six Sigma tools. Participated in organizing and designing optimization projects that impact business initiatives driving increased customer value, decreased waste, and decreased labor reductions. Through detailed A3 problem-solving and critical thinking, directs internal and external Value Stream Mapping (VSM) sessions that evaluates the current state and creates the ideal future state and growth of the organization. As an OPS EX leader, I develop new processes, improved communications, empower employees, improve inefficiencies, create standard work, and monitor processes. Leads a lean culture via employee engagement and mentorship training in the use, implementation, and application of CPI initiatives and principles. Adept at fostering collaboration and training to enable top-performing talent – holding to a "PSP" principle, and a servant and transformational leadership approach. Drives effective process solutions that align with CSR, organizational objectives, and growth initiatives.