Robert S. Giannini Middlebury, CT 06762
203-233-5894; [email protected]
www.linkedin.com/pub/robert-giannini/27/644/351/
Operations, Safety, and Compliance Leader
Dynamic operations, EHS, and business executive seeking a senior
operations leadership position that utilizes my expertise in
operations, engineering, safety and compliance, and labor
relations. I am a versatile, experienced leader who is known for
connecting with associates at all levels of an organization to
foster teamwork and inspire professional growth and development of
subordinates and for driving improved and sustained results in
operating efficiency, safety performance, regulatory compliance,
quality, and labor relations.
As an operations leader, oversaw the safe, compliant, and
profitable integration of nine acquired companies comprising 80
operating locations assimilating 800+ associates supporting $200M+
in additional sales contributing to a business that doubled its
EBITDA.
As a safety and compliance leader, developed and implemented
training, management, and auditing programs to meet and exceed
compliance standards of regulatory agencies including DOT, FDA,
EPA, OSHA, and DHS.
As a risk management leader, led development and implementation
of best practices in risk/loss prevention to dramatically reduce
Workers Comp and general liability insurance costs.
As a labor relations professional, managed all aspects of union
activities at 14 Teamsters-represented locations including lead
negotiator on initial and successor CBAs, labor unrest contingency
planning, and union-avoidance training for supervisors. Managed
successful Vote No! campaigns; withdrawal from under-funded union
pension obligations, orderly closure of four represented
facilities, labor agreement decertification.
Professional Experience
Airgas, Inc.; Waterford, CT 2001 2014
Vice President of Safety and Compliance 2006 - 2014 Directed all
aspects of employee safety and regulatory agency compliance for
Airgas East and Northeast USA regional
operating companies. Managed seven field safety and compliance
managers and oversaw all safety and compliance training,
communication, and auditing programs for over 125 operating
locations and over 1,200 safety-sensitive operating associates.
Designed and managed programs to enable and ensure compliance
with all regulatory agencies including: DOT, FDA, EPA, and OSHA.
Solely responsible for implementing and managing US DHS CFATS
compliance program achieving authorization for 22 regulated
facilities.
Operations leader for integration of acquired businesses of six
industrial gases distributors at 45 operating locations, and over
$140M in annual sales. Directed associate training and assimilation
for all safety, compliance, and operations programs to exceed
targeted synergies, contributing to overall business that grew
EBITDA over 20%.
As program leader and trainer, implemented DuPonts STOP for
Supervision program, training 175+ managers, supervisors and other
leaders to increase observation skills and awareness, enhance
supervisor-employee interactions, and reduce injuries
Developed and implemented best practices for Workers
Compensation and accident/injury case management to reduce
insurance costs over $400k annually and injury rates by 30%.
As Labor Relations Director, company leader for all negotiations
on initial and renewal collective bargaining agreements with 14
separate Teamsters local labor unions. Directed two union
decertifications, accomplished withdrawal from three union
defined-pension obligations, led several successful anti-union Vote
No! campaigns and union awareness and avoidance training.
Vice President of Operations 2001 2005 Managed all plant
operations, distribution, and acquired business integration
activities for Airgas Eastern Region industrial gases business that
tripled in sales ($300M) and volume through acquisitions and
organic growth while increasing EBITDA by 30%.
Robert S. Giannini Middlebury, CT 06762
203-233-5894; [email protected]
www.linkedin.com/pub/robert-giannini/27/644/351/
Leader for all production and distribution operations including
integration of acquired businesses of major industrial gases
competitors (Air Products, BOC Gases, Linde Gases) at 35 operating
locations comprising over $130M in annual sales. Directed associate
training, orientation, and assimilation for all safety and
compliance programs and managed multiple facility consolidations to
exceed targeted synergies, enabling overall EBITDA growth of
30%.
Managed initial implementation and on-going compliance with ISO
9001 process quality standards at 11 specialty gases production and
analytical laboratories.
Designed, implemented, and managed a best-practice comprehensive
regulated products approval process to assure safe and compliant
supply of highly hazardous products to customers.
Planned and managed $10M annual capital projects budget.
Directed all labor relations activities at 10 represented
locations including transition and combination of acquired
operations resulting in closure of three union-represented
locations
Praxair, Inc.; Danbury, CT 1978 2001
Held a variety of management, operations, engineering, sales,
and marketing positions with increasing levels of responsibility
throughout 23 years at Praxair (formerly Union Carbide Corp., Linde
Div.). Director of Production and Specialty Gases Operations PDI
(Danbury, CT) 2000 2001 Implemented operations and efficiency
improvements and best-practices throughout Praxair Distribution
Inc.s (PDI) North American packaged gases operations. Directed all
operations, capital and R&D projects at dedicated specialty
gases plants and laboratories across North America. Operations
leader in creation of $100M+ regional business joint venture.
Facility Manager PDI (Bethlehem, PA) 1999 2000 Managed all
aspects of operations at PDIs most complex specialty gases
production, distribution, and laboratory facility dramatically
improving employee morale (80 associates), customer service and
cost. Specialty Gases Business Director PDI (Midwest Region) 1998
1999 Managed production, distribution, sales growth, and
profitability improvement for PDIs specialty gases business
throughout Midwest USA and Canada.
Product Manager, Semiconductor Process Gases Praxair, Inc.
(Richardson, TX) 1995 1998 Managed all aspects of a $30M global
product line supporting semiconductor manufacturing including
sourcing, supply chain, pricing, sales growth, and launch of
several new products
Territory Sales Representative - Electronics Gases (Eastern
Region) Technical Sales Engineer Electronics Gases (Eastern Region)
Project Manager Packaged Gases Operations (Somerset, NJ) Production
Superintendent - Specialty Gases Operations (Keasbey, NJ) Project
Engineer Specialty Gases Operations (Somerset, NJ)
Education New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ BS
Chemical Engineering
Other Skills and Recognition
OSHA 30 Hour General Industry Training Program Certification
Presenter - American Soc. of Safety Engineers Safety 2013 Safe
Handling of Compressed Gases & Cylinders
Certified Hazardous Materials Technician and Incident Commander
(OSHA 1910.120(q)) - Airgas AERO Hazmat Response Team
DuPont STOP for Supervision Program Leader and Trainer
