Chad Istre
Industrial Engineer and Operations Leader
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About
Industrial Engineer and Operations Leader with 14+ years of experience across logistics, automation, and large-scale operations. Proven record of delivering multimillion-dollar cost savings, productivity improvements exceeding 60%, and successful deployment of automation, AMRs, and electric vehicle initiatives. MBA-educated, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt–trained, and highly effective in data-driven decision-making, KPI optimization, workforce planning, and cross-functional execution within complex operational environments.
Experience
Industrial Engineer - United Parcel Service (UPS) - Red River District
(2025-01)
- Developed optimized operating plans aligned to BSC and productivity KPIs, driving a 37% production increase.
- Led automation and AMR initiatives from concept through implementation, delivering ROI 26% above forecast.
- Optimized and troubleshot automation systems, increasing productivity by 67% while reducing operating costs by 21%.
- Designed and maintained engineered labor standards and work measurements across multiple operations.
- Delivered $3.6M in annualized cost reductions through waste elimination, process redesign, and workforce optimization.
- Planned and executed large-scale facility projects with minimal disruption to ongoing operations.
- Trained operational leaders and frontline teams on new systems to sustain performance improvements.
Operations Supervisor - United Parcel Service (UPS) - Fort Worth, TX
(2022-04 - 2025-01)
- Led daily operations in high-volume, fast-paced sort environments.
- Aligned staffing, safety, and throughput targets through cross-functional coordination.
- Analyzed production and quality data to identify process gaps and implement corrective actions.
- Integrated new business processes into existing warehouse operations while maintaining service levels.
Recruiter - United States Army - Lewisville, TX
(2019-01 - 2022-08)
- Managed applicant tracking and candidate management systems.
- Designed and executed recruiting and marketing strategies that increased candidate visibility by 82%.
- Conducted interviews, evaluations, background screening, and onboarding for new personnel.
Infantry Platoon Sergeant - United States Army - El Paso, TX
(2016-09 - 2019-01)
- Led and trained 36 personnel across garrison and deployment operations.
- Accountable for $32M+ in equipment, ensuring readiness and compliance.
- Developed training plans, operational schedules, and risk mitigation strategies.
Infantry Squad Leader / Sniper Section Leader - United States Army
(2011 - 2016)
- Supervised teams of 10–12 personnel in high-risk, high-reliability environments.
- Coordinated logistics, intelligence, and operational execution across units.
- Prepared operational reports, briefings, and performance assessments for senior leadership.
Education
Master of Business Administration (MBA) - Business Intelligence & Analytics - Colorado State University (2024-12)
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice - Colorado State University (2021-12)