Sara Collum

Lean & Continuous Improvement Leader

4031 W Charlotte Dr, 85310, Glendale, US.

About

Highly accomplished Lean-focused leader with over 10 years of experience driving operational excellence, continuous improvement, and cultural transformation within complex manufacturing and business environments. Proven track record in facilitating Kaizen events, coaching leaders, and delivering quantifiable performance improvements, including up to 35% cycle time reductions and 25% increased daily output. Certified ScrumMaster, Lean Facilitator and actively pursuing Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, adept at leveraging value stream mapping, A3 thinking, and change management to optimize processes and enhance team performance.

Work

W.L. Gore & Associates

|

Business System Specialist (Lean Coach / Continuous Improvement Leader)

Phoenix, Arizona, US

→

Summary

Partners with leaders across the Medical Products Division to identify performance gaps, prioritize initiatives, and implement Lean improvements using the Gore Business System (GBS), serving as an internal coach, change agent, and facilitator of process transformation.

Highlights

Facilitated over 10 Kaizen events, resulting in significant cycle time reductions of up to 35% and measurable process improvements across critical operations.

Coached and mentored more than 30 associates and leaders on advanced Lean tools, including value stream mapping, A3 thinking, and root cause analysis, enhancing internal capabilities.

Led comprehensive training programs for over 150 associates, driving a 40% increase in Gore Business System (GBS) tool adoption and overall team performance.

Guided a cross-functional team through a strategic performance improvement initiative that successfully eliminated 3 non-value-add steps, significantly reducing waste and boosting throughput.

W.L. Gore & Associates

|

Manufacturing Operations Leader

Elkton, MD, US

→

Summary

Led a production team within the Medical Products Division, focusing on improving manufacturing efficiency, fostering team engagement, and ensuring safety standards.

Highlights

Increased daily output by 25% through the successful implementation of standardized work procedures and visual management systems.

Coached and developed 3 direct reports and over 15 operators, cultivating increased ownership, accountability, and capability within the team.

Reduced material waste by 15% by conducting Lean process audits and actively engaging the team in waste reduction initiatives.

Initiated and led daily tiered accountability meetings, significantly improving communication flow and accelerating issue resolution speed across the production floor.

W.L. Gore & Associates

|

Manufacturing Team Leader / Planning & Logistics Leader

Elkton, MD, US

→

Summary

Managed comprehensive operations and supply chain functions within both the Medical Products and Fabrics Divisions, balancing production planning with capacity constraints while spearheading continuous improvement efforts.

Highlights

Reduced inventory holding costs by 20% through the implementation of optimized planning and replenishment processes.

Led a strategic value stream mapping initiative that streamlined internal logistics, cutting transit time by a significant 30%.

Implemented a daily management system that elevated schedule adherence from 82% to an impressive 97%, improving production predictability.

Orchestrated cross-functional collaboration to optimize production schedules, ensuring alignment with demand forecasts and resource availability.

W.L. Gore & Associates

|

Product Specialist / Process Specialist / Operator Roles

Elkton, MD, US

→

Summary

Held progressive roles with increasing responsibility in production and technical support, contributing to the efficiency and innovation within Gore's manufacturing divisions.

Highlights

Collaborated on critical process improvements that resulted in a 10% increase in product yield, enhancing manufacturing efficiency and reducing waste.

Served as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for new product introductions, actively contributing to successful launch timelines and product readiness.

Provided technical support and troubleshooting for complex manufacturing processes, ensuring operational continuity and product quality.

Executed diverse operator responsibilities, consistently meeting production targets and adhering to stringent quality control standards.

Education

Towson University

Towson, MD, United States of America
B.S. Business Administration Grade:

Courses

International Business

Marketing

Certificates

Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)

Scrum Alliance

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (In Progress)

Skills

Lean Methodologies

Lean, Continuous Improvement, Value Stream Mapping, Kaizen, A3 Problem Solving, Gemba, Gore Business System (GBS), Standardized Work, Visual Management.

Agile & Project Management

Scrum, Agile, Kata Coaching, Improvement Kata, Project Delivery, Process Optimization.

Leadership & Coaching

Change Management, Cross-functional Team Facilitation, Coaching for Engagement, Team Leadership, Mentoring, Training & Development, Stakeholder Management.

Data Analysis & Reporting

Power BI, Tableau, Excel (Advanced), Root Cause Analysis, Performance Metrics, Data-Driven Decision Making.

Tools & Platforms

Jira, Confluence, Mural, Menti.

Operations & Supply Chain

Manufacturing Operations, Production Planning, Logistics Management, Inventory Management, Material Waste Reduction, Schedule Adherence, New Product Introduction (NPI).