Tom Brown

Background

About Tom Brown

I focus on making distribution operations faster, safer, and less expensive- Leader on a multi-year process design and automation program for Target’s distribution center network- Rebuilt site-level quality analytics, driving a 46% defect reduction- Led an inbound team of 100 + associates—well above normal staffing—and moved it to #1 in safety, quality, and productivity. My approach is straightforward: Lean problem-solving, clear standards, and data that everyone can see. I use SQL and Power BI to surface issues, then work side-by-side with the team until the numbers move. When capital is required, I brief senior leadership on trade-offs and negotiate scope and integration details with automation vendors. Before retail, I spent six years in Army artillery, finishing as a captain responsible for operations planning for 650 soldiers. The Army taught me to set the bar high, look after people, and keep plans practical. I’m midway through Kelley’s online MBA (GPA 3.9) to deepen my finance and strategy toolkit. Focus areas • Continuous improvement (Lean Six Sigma Black Belt) • Multi-site automation and DC launches • Data analytics (SQL, Power BI) • Cross-functional planning with Finance, S & OP, Inventory, Engineering • Vendor selection and contract negotiation • Team development and culture change