Frank Slavik
San Benito
Summary
A seasoned professional with extensive experience and achievements in the automotive, aerospace, and electromechanical manufacturing industries. Skilled in overseeing larger-scale production operations, managing cross-functional teams, and implementing process control to ensure quality and cost efficiency. Strong leadership and communication abilities, with a track record of mentoring high-performing teams, fostering collaboration across departments, and driving results in fast-paced, high-precision environments.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
Work History
Injection Mold Engineer
Trico Products
01.2021 - Current
- Led the successful launch of new mold designs and product programs into full-scale production, ensuring dimensional capability, stable processes, and production-ready tooling.
- Direct mold trials, sampling activities, and process validation for new product launches to ensure dimensional, cosmetic, and functional requirements are achieved.
- Conduct Design for Manufacturability (DFM) reviews with product engineers to recommend design improvements that enhance moldability and manufacturing efficiency.
- Reduced product process windows by optimizing injection velocity profiles, transfer positions, packing pressure, and cooling times to ensure consistent part dimensions and cosmetic quality.
- Resolved material degradation and silver streak defects by reducing barrel resistance time and improving resin drying procedure.
- Optimized injection speed profiles, pack/hold pressures, and melt temperatures to improve cycle times and reduce scrap rates.
- Train and mentor technicians on scientific molding principles and advanced troubleshooting techniques.
Threading Supervisor
Tex-Isle Supply, Inc.
01.2018 - 01.2021
- Supervised pipe threading by managing a team of 32 employees producing API buttress and 8-round connections.
- Achieved a production rate of 25 pipes per hour on 5-1/2” size pipes through process enhancements, leading to a 30% boost in production.
Injection Molding Engineer
Schlemmer USA
01.2017 - 01.2018
- Led mold trials and process validation using 300–900-ton injection molding machine with multi-cavity molds.
- Improved cycle times and production throughput through process optimization and mold performance.
- Reduced cycle time by 12% by optimizing cooling and packing phases of the injection molding cycle.
Injection Molding Engineer
Falco Electronics, Inc.
01.2016 - 01.2017
- Improved cycle time by 15% for molding defects, including short shots, flash, spray, sink marks, and voids.
- Reduced scrap by 40% by implementing scientific molding techniques and improved process monitoring.
- Extensive experience with hydraulic, hybrid, and all-electric injection machines, hot runner systems, multi-cavity tooling, and automated molding cells.
Manufacturing Manager
Bettcher Manufacture, LLC
01.2014 - 01.2015
- Managed 12 setup technicians for the setup and changeover of 48 stamping presses, from 45-ton to 900-ton.
- Worked hands-on with employees and troubleshoot setup issues to improve changeover times by 40%.
Directory of Manufacturing
Jefferson Electric, Inc.
01.2008 - 01.2014
- Spearheaded manufacturing production strategies for dry-type transformer products while managing a team of over 155 employees, emphasizing quality, safety, and efficiency.
- Cultivated a high-performance environment to exceed tactical and operating goals.
- Implemented lean manufacturing methods and utilized quality metrics such as value stream mapping (VSM).
- Reduced work-in-progress (WIP) duration by 50%, while increasing throughput by 30% and daily productivity by 45% through strategic process improvement.
- Received multiple performance awards for maintaining a consistent on-time shipping score of 99%.
Manufacturing Engineer
Ideal Tomkins, Inc.
01.2001 - 01.2008
- Led the design, fabrication, and continuous improvement of tooling and stamping dies for new product programs, ensuring dimensional accuracy, production efficiency, and customer quality.
- Drove capital expenditure projects encompassing equipment, tooling, infrastructure, and new line transfers.
- Executed and developed stamping dies, tooling systems, and clamp assembly equipment supporting major OEM automotive customers, including Ford, GMC, and Chrysler.
- Managed engineering and tooling operations for high-volume stamping presses and clamp assembly production.
- Recognized with the Black Belt award for successfully leading the relocation of band stamping operations from Florida to Mexico, coordinating cross-functional teams, to ensure a smooth operational transition.
Manufacturing Engineer
Jefferson Electric, Inc.
01.1999 - 01.2001
- Enhanced coil-winding methods and improved material flow process by 45% with lean disciplines.
- Increased transformer manufacturing efficiency while minimizing overtime 30%.
- Designed specialized tools and fixtures for production cells, effectively reducing storage requirements for finished products.
CNC Programmer
Varel International, Inc.
01.1994 - 01.1999
- CNC programmer for 85 NC lathes and 15 five-axis milling machines, making components for drilling bits.
Tooling and Assembling Engineer
General Dynamics
01.1990 - 01.1994
- Support the design, fabrication, and manufacturing processes of precision components utilized in the Atlas rocket program. Fabricated tooling fixtures for drilling rivet holes in the rocket and alignment tools for assembly.
- Collaborated closely with the design engineers to transition rocket parts designs into full-scale production while adhering to cost, quality, and delivery objectives.
Education
Apprenticeship - Machine Shop Operations
Texas State Technical College
Waco, TXSix Sigma Lean Manufacturing Black Belt Certified - undefined
Air Academy Associate
Colorado Springs, CO01-2005
Associate of Science - Mechanical Engineering
Texas State Technical College
Waco, TX01-1989
Skills
- Production Management
- Process development & Validation
- Cycle Time Reduction
- New Product Introduction
- Black Belt Lean Manufacturing
- Decoupling Molding Techniques
- Mold Design & Tool Optimization
- Root Cause Analysis Troubleshoot
- Mold Repair & Maintenance
- OEM Product Launches
- Lean & Kaizen Experience
- Tool & Die Metal stamping Exp
Timeline
Injection Mold Engineer
Trico Products
01.2021 - Current
Threading Supervisor
Tex-Isle Supply, Inc.
01.2018 - 01.2021
Injection Molding Engineer
Schlemmer USA
01.2017 - 01.2018
Injection Molding Engineer
Falco Electronics, Inc.
01.2016 - 01.2017
Manufacturing Manager
Bettcher Manufacture, LLC
01.2014 - 01.2015
Directory of Manufacturing
Jefferson Electric, Inc.
01.2008 - 01.2014
Manufacturing Engineer
Ideal Tomkins, Inc.
01.2001 - 01.2008
Manufacturing Engineer
Jefferson Electric, Inc.
01.1999 - 01.2001
CNC Programmer
Varel International, Inc.
01.1994 - 01.1999
Tooling and Assembling Engineer
General Dynamics
01.1990 - 01.1994
Six Sigma Lean Manufacturing Black Belt Certified - undefined
Air Academy Associate
Associate of Science - Mechanical Engineering
Texas State Technical College
Apprenticeship - Machine Shop Operations
Texas State Technical College