Supply chain operations
10 lean manufacturing transformation experts
These ten professionals have led lean manufacturing, lean management and company production system work inside manufacturers. A reader can learn from them how manufacturers plan, roll out and sustain a lean transformation across their plants.
Professionals to explore
01—10Bonnie Davis
LinkedInExperience: Chief Lean Officer · Re:Build Manufacturing
Chief Lean Officer at Re:Build Manufacturing since August 2022. Former Vice President, Global JEM Transformation (2021–2022) and Director JeldWen Excellence Model(JEM), Training (2018–2021) at JELD-WEN, Inc., and former Lean and Continuous Improvement Leader at JPS Composite Materials (2014–2016).
Brian Roberts
LinkedInExperience: Senior Director, Lean and Continuous Improvement · J.B. Poindexter & Co
Senior Director, Lean and Continuous Improvement at J.B. Poindexter & Co since April 2025 and Director of Lean and Continuous Improvement there since October 2023. Former Director of Lean and Materials at J.B. Poindexter & Co (2022–2024), Plant Manager at GHSP (2021–2022) and Continuous Improvement Manager - SW Michigan at Yanfeng (2018–2021).
Daniel James
LinkedInExperience: Global Director - Lean Manufacturing at Ford Motor Company · Ford Motor Company
Former Global Director - Lean Manufacturing at Ford Motor Company (2020–2022). Other Ford roles include Ford Production System Mfg Six Sigma North America Manager (2016–2020) and Manager, Lean Manufacturing - Ford Production System, Dearborn, MI (2001–2005). The profile describes thirty-four years in the automotive industry, with roles spanning operations, manufacturing engineering and lean integration.
Haluk Ünlütürk
LinkedInExperience: Director Lean Management and Smart Operations · HARTMANN GROUP
Director Lean Management and Smart Operations at HARTMANN GROUP since July 2023; the profile describes over 15 years of international experience in operational excellence, lean transformation and digitalization in manufacturing environments. Former Head of Operational Excellence (2022–2023) and Global Senior Projectmanager Operational Excellence (2017–2022) at Voith Turbo.
Juarez Costa
LinkedInExperience: Senior Director for Lean Manufacturing North America · Dana Incorporated
Former Senior Director for Lean Manufacturing North America at Dana Incorporated (2019–2020) and Senior Director for Lean NA and Director of Operations Commercial Vehicle Group Mexico there (2015–2019). The profile describes 34 years of experience in the automotive industry and says this person developed and deployed standards for Lean Manufacturing in regions including North America, Europe, South America, China and India.
Larry Hamilton
LinkedInExperience: Regional Lean Director · Jabil
Former Regional Lean Director (2024–2026), Operational Excellence Director (2024–2026) and Sr. Director Global Lean Six Sigma (2014–2018) at Jabil. Director of Continuous Improvement at East West Manufacturing since February 2026; the profile describes more than 25 years leading global operations, enterprise transformations and multi-site performance turnarounds.
Matthias Cantzler
LinkedInExperience: Director Global Lean Excellence - Global Healthcare Operations · Merck Healthcare
Director Global Lean Excellence - Global Healthcare Operations at Merck Healthcare since January 2026. Former Program Manager - Global Production System at Merck Life Science (2023–2025), where the profile describes development, design and deployment of a new Global Production System across the manufacturing network, and Site Operational Excellence Manager - Site Darmstadt there (2019–2023).
Ryan Retter
LinkedInExperience: Lean Manufacturing Leader · ATI
Former Lean Manufacturing Leader at ATI (2009–2014); other ATI roles include Manager, Continuous Improvement Specialty Rolled Products (2014–2020) and Senior Manager, Continuous Improvement Enterprise Lead, ATI Production System (2020–2024). Global Director, Alcoa Business System (ABS) at Alcoa since July 2024.
Steve Olesak, MBA
LinkedInExperience: Director of Continuous Improvement and Lean · Bennington Pontoon Boats
Former Director of Continuous Improvement and Lean at Bennington Pontoon Boats (2019–2022) and Senior Manager Lean Programs at Kellogg Company (2010–2013), plus Global Lead Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) at Kellogg Company (2014–2017). The profile describes a system-based continuous improvement professional focused on improving productivity, safety, quality and delivery while reducing operating costs.
Thorsten Leschinski
LinkedInExperience: Head of Group Global Lean Management · TMD Friction
Former Head of Group Global Lean Management at TMD Friction (2015–2020) and Plant director Werksdirektor Werk Haan at Donaldson (2023–2024). The profile also lists Senior Manufacturing KAIZEN Officer (fixed term contract until 31st of March 2026) at Waygate Technologies from August 2024, focused on developing 7 single business units with 12 plants worldwide in growth and profitability.
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's scale to your situation, since leading lean across a global plant network differs from building a lean program at a single company or site. Check each person's dates to see whether their lean role is current or in the past.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How do you sequence a lean transformation across several plants?
- 02How do you keep kaizen and daily management habits alive after the first wave of improvement events?
- 03Which metrics show whether a lean program is improving cost, quality and delivery?
Reaching lean manufacturing transformation experts
How can I contact one of these lean manufacturing transformation experts?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 10 companies, including Re:Build Manufacturing, J.B. Poindexter & Co and Ford Motor Company, based on profile data retrieved on October 3, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach lean manufacturing transformation experts?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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