Kevin Keffer in

Kevin Keffer

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Operations Manager at Ajinomoto Foods North America, Inc.
📍 Normal, Illinois, United States

Kevin is a data-driven manufacturing leader with over 17 years of experience in process improvement and multisite operations. A graduate of Purdue University with an MBA, he has managed teams of over 450 and revenues exceeding $340M. Colleagues describe him as strategic, methodical, and an inspiring coach.

Outside of work, Kevin values making time for fun and embracing his "inner child, " as shown in a post about sledding. He is also a soccer fan, demonstrating support for the professional club Deportivo Toluca F. C. , and is passionate about helping others succeed.

He is inspired by the Mohammed Ali quote: "Its not the size of the mountains ahead to climb that wears you out; its the pebble in your shoe. "

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Experience
17 Years
Current Role
Operations Manager
Job Level
Middle
Location
Normal, Illinois, United States
Personality Overview

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Communication Style
Decision Approach
Work Preference

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Priorities

Topics Kevin cares about

Continuous Improvement
An expert in Lean Six Sigma, Kaizen, and 5S, he has a proven track record of boosting production efficiency by 46% and capturing multi-million dollar cost savings.
Manufacturing Leadership
He has led teams of over 450 people across multiple facilities and is described by former colleagues as an exceptional leader, coach, and mentor who boosts team morale.
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Career

Work history

7-2025
Operations Manager
Ajinomoto Foods North America, Inc.
2-2024 - 5-2025
Value Stream Manager ✴️ Boosted Production Efficiency 46% and Employee Engagement 6%
Nature's Bakery
8-2020 - 3-2023
Senior Process Engineer - Ops Manager ✴️ Hand-Selected to Launch New Site ✴️ Saved Over $400,000
Amazon
9-2019 - 1-2020
Director of Processing ✴️ Led 2 Manufacturing Facilities ✴️ Rebuilt Company Culture
Trulieve
3-2016 - 9-2019
Manufacturing Plant Manager ✴️ Reduced Waste 66% ✴️ Zero Safety Recordables
Oil-Dri Corporation of America
In the press

Media appearances

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Education
Bachelor of Science - BS
Purdue University
Master of Business Administration - MBA
Indiana Wesleyan University
Social presence
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Behavioral profile

DISC profile (public)

DISC behavioral profile

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