Meet Hit Team: Michael Shield

Michael Shield’s role at Hit Promotional Products is fluid and varied, which makes the notion of a “typical day” non-existent for him. As Director of Process Improvement, Michael is involved with many teams, including the lean team, kitting and special pack team, and heat transfer team. These responsibilities have him working at 3-4 production buildings daily.?

Most of Michael’s days start with reviewing reports to look at capacity and see if any adjustments in hours or orders are needed for the next 5 days out. These reports also help him determine which orders or areas require more focus from him and his team. In addition to reviewing credits to see where we can improve our service, Michael consistently walks the production floors looking at processes and habits, enforcing the good ones and removing or adjusting the negative ones. “My day is built around constant follow-up, questioning, coaching, and building habits,” Michael said.?

Michael has an undergraduate degree in accounting and a master’s in international management. He previously worked for UPS in their engineering department. “UPS, as well as my other jobs, taught me how to work with people (regardless of position). I learned how get people involved in the solution. How to have them understand that a job must be completed with quality and service in mind…not just expediency. Redo’s and credits have a high cost associated to them; this cost relates to overall time (which disrupts capacity too) and our service level to our customer. I continue to learn and adapt each day of my life,” said Michael.?

When asked about his favorite aspects of the role, he responded, “I enjoy working with the people and watching them grow. I get energy from people as they inspire me and promote my passion. I look at where I can be most useful and currently that is in people development.” He enjoys the progress and growth he witnesses when creating and instilling habits and seeing his team leaders doing the same with the people reporting to them. He says the gains each week are incredible and sustainable.?

In his personal life, Michael enjoys the outdoors and the beautiful weather and exercising options that St. Petersburg has to offer. He’s embraced the area with open arms, and we’ve embraced him back.