Title: Director of Manufacturing Operations
Company: ChampionX
Location: Fort Worth, Texas, United States
Rick A. Jennings Sr., director of manufacturing operations at ChampionX, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Executives for dedication, achievements, and leadership in safety assurance.
With over two and a half decades of experience, Mr. Jennings has built a successful career in safety and compliance. He currently excels as the director of manufacturing operations at ChampionX, a position he has held since 2023. ChampionX is a global leader in providing chemistry solutions and equipment for the oil and gas industry. The company specializes in optimizing production and enhancing efficiency through a range of innovative products and services. In this role, he focuses on continuous improvements, safety, quality, executive and operations leadership, assembly and machining, and problem resolution using Lean Kaizen Six Sigma and visual management. His previous experience includes serving as a manufacturing manager at RTX, multinational aerospace and defense company, from 2017 to 2023 and holding various roles in operations management, paint management, project management, and continuous improvement as an independent professional from 1992 to 2023.
Mr. Jennings has also worked as a business development manager at a dentist’s office, director of manufacturing at Enogen, plant manager at a specialty chemical company, senior operations manager at TPI, and held positions at John Deere, including project manager, quality control manager, and manufacturing manager. Additionally, he served as operations manager at Fleetwood, production manager at General Motors, general supervisor at a beverage company, and advanced from frontline supervisor to a senior position at Ford Motor Company. He is a member of the American Society for Quality, a global community of quality professionals dedicated to promoting and advancing quality practices across various industries, and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, an organization dedicated to advancing manufacturing practices through professional development, industry standards, and best practices to ensure excellence and efficiency in the manufacturing process, and is an active volunteer in church ministries and company activities.
Mr. Jennings laid a solid educational foundation, earning a Bachelor of Science in industrial technology from Ohio Northern University in 1989 and a Master of Business Administration from Strayer University in 2004. He also holds certifications as a Six Sigma Black Belt from John Deere and as a Toyota Production System Continuous Improvement Leader. Reflecting on his path, he takes great pride in his contributions to safety, having significantly improved the well-being of employees. Over nearly 15 years, there have been no reports of severe injuries or fatalities among the staff, and he implemented a meticulous manufacturing verification process that resulted in cost savings of nearly $650,000 for the company.
Mr. Jennings attributes his success to his ability to connect with people. He emphasizes that he genuinely cares about all 250 employees in his factory, and his open communication and active listening skills underscore his commitment to adaptability, dedication, hard work, and integrity. His leadership style combines visionary and coaching approaches with a fair but firm management method. Known for his organizational leadership, decision-making, and analytical troubleshooting skills, he frequently addresses challenging situations that others may avoid. Looking ahead, he plans to expand his business operations knowledge and aspires to become a vice president within the company.
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