Roberto Potenza | Executive Leadership in Manufacturing Operations

Executive Overview

A seasoned operations executive with a proven track record of transformational leadership

Manufacturing & Operations Executive

As a VP of Operations and former General Manager with over two decades of experience, I have consistently demonstrated the ability to lead complex manufacturing operations through periods of growth, transformation, and strategic change. My executive leadership approach combines strategic vision with hands-on operational expertise to drive sustainable results.

Throughout my career in executive positions at Opal Fuels, Chromalox, Faurecia, and Abengoa Bioenergia, I've developed a reputation for building high-performance teams, optimizing operational efficiency, and delivering measurable business outcomes. My leadership has directly contributed to significant achievements including:

Increasing plant output by 34% while maintaining 0% turnover
Successfully leading plant expansions that doubled production capacity
Implementing sustainable manufacturing practices that convert waste into renewable energy
Transforming underperforming operations into industry-leading facilities

My executive experience spans multiple industries including renewable energy, industrial heating, automotive manufacturing, and bioethanol production, giving me a versatile leadership perspective that can be applied across diverse manufacturing environments.

Leadership Philosophy

My approach to executive leadership in manufacturing operations

People-First Leadership

I believe that exceptional operational results begin with investing in people. By creating an environment of psychological safety, continuous learning, and meaningful engagement, I build teams that consistently outperform expectations. My leadership approach emphasizes transparent communication, clear accountability, and recognition of achievements at all levels.

This people-first philosophy has enabled me to maintain 0% turnover during significant operational transformations, demonstrating that performance improvement and employee satisfaction can be achieved simultaneously with the right leadership approach.

Data-Driven Decision Making

As an executive leader, I champion a culture of data-driven decision making throughout the organization. By establishing robust metrics, KPIs, and performance tracking systems, I ensure that strategic decisions are based on accurate information rather than assumptions. This approach has been instrumental in identifying improvement opportunities and validating the effectiveness of operational changes.

My experience implementing data visualization tools and performance dashboards has transformed how teams interact with operational data, making performance visible and actionable at all organizational levels.

Continuous Improvement Culture

I believe that sustainable operational excellence requires embedding continuous improvement into the organizational culture. As an executive leader, I've successfully implemented Lean Manufacturing principles, Six Sigma methodologies, and other improvement frameworks that engage employees at all levels in the pursuit of operational excellence.

By establishing structured problem-solving approaches and empowering teams to identify and address inefficiencies, I've created self-sustaining improvement cultures that continue to deliver results long after initial implementation.

Strategic Vision & Execution

Effective executive leadership requires both strategic vision and execution excellence. Throughout my career, I've demonstrated the ability to translate organizational strategy into operational reality through clear goal setting, resource alignment, and disciplined execution. My approach involves creating detailed implementation roadmaps with clear milestones, accountabilities, and feedback mechanisms.

This balanced focus on both strategy and execution has enabled me to successfully lead major initiatives including plant expansions, new product introductions, and operational turnarounds across multiple industries.

Executive Experience

Leadership roles across diverse manufacturing environments

2020 - Present

VP of Operations

Opal Fuels

As Vice President of Operations at Opal Fuels, I provide executive leadership for multiple renewable natural gas facilities across the United States. My responsibilities include:

Developing and executing strategic operational plans aligned with corporate objectives
Leading cross-functional teams to achieve production, safety, and sustainability goals
Optimizing production processes to maximize renewable energy output
Implementing best practices across multiple facilities to ensure operational excellence
Collaborating with executive leadership team on strategic business decisions

My executive leadership has contributed to significant growth in renewable natural gas production capacity while maintaining industry-leading safety and compliance standards.

2017 - 2020

General Manager

Chromalox

As General Manager at Chromalox, I led a complete operational turnaround for this industrial heating solutions manufacturer. My executive leadership resulted in:

34% increase in plant output while maintaining 0% employee turnover over 14 months
Implementation of psychological safety practices that transformed workplace culture
Development of robust feedback mechanisms and continuous improvement processes
Restructuring of operations to enhance quality control and production efficiency
Successful $58M facility expansion project in Ogden, Utah

This transformation demonstrated my ability to lead significant operational change while maintaining team cohesion and employee engagement.

2014 - 2017

Plant Manager

Faurecia

As Plant Manager at Faurecia, a global automotive supplier, I provided executive leadership for a major manufacturing facility. Key accomplishments included:

Successfully leading plant expansion that doubled production capacity
Managing workforce growth from 300 to 600 employees
Implementing lean manufacturing principles that reduced waste by 22%
Achieving and maintaining ISO quality certifications
Developing and mentoring leadership team members

This role demonstrated my ability to manage complex manufacturing operations during periods of significant growth while maintaining quality and efficiency standards.

Executive Leadership Skills

Core competencies that drive operational excellence

Strategic Planning

Developing comprehensive operational strategies aligned with business objectives. Creating clear roadmaps for implementation with measurable milestones and KPIs.

Team Development

Building high-performance teams through effective recruitment, development, and engagement strategies. Creating succession plans and leadership development programs.

Change Management

Leading organizations through complex transformations with structured change management approaches. Minimizing resistance and maximizing adoption of new processes.

Financial Management

Managing operational budgets and capital expenditures to optimize resource allocation. Identifying cost reduction opportunities while maintaining operational excellence.

Stakeholder Management

Building effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Aligning diverse interests to support operational objectives and organizational success.

Performance Management

Implementing robust performance management systems with clear metrics, regular feedback, and accountability mechanisms to drive continuous improvement.

Leadership Testimonials

What colleagues and team members say about my executive leadership

"Roberto is an exceptional operations executive who combines strategic vision with practical execution. His leadership transformed our manufacturing operations, delivering significant improvements in productivity and team engagement."

John Davis

CEO, Industrial Manufacturing Company

"Working with Roberto has been transformative for our operations team. His executive leadership approach balances performance expectations with genuine care for people, creating an environment where teams consistently exceed targets while maintaining high engagement."

Maria Rodriguez

Operations Director, Global Manufacturing

"Roberto's executive leadership during our plant expansion was exceptional. He navigated complex challenges with clear strategic direction while maintaining operational excellence throughout the transition. His ability to build alignment across departments was crucial to our success."

David Thompson

VP of Manufacturing, Automotive Supplier

Executive Leadership