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Samuel Higuchi

@samuelhiguchi

Global manufacturing operations director at VSP Visionworks overseeing four regulated medical device facilities and their performance, quality, and P&L.

United States
Message

At VSP Visionworks, I manage four regulated prescription medical device manufacturing facilities across the United States, with responsibility for performance, quality, patient service, EHS compliance, and P&L. I work with clinical, commercial, and operations leaders to improve consistency in service quality, prescription accuracy, and delivery outcomes.

At Sabra Dipping (Pepsi), I developed the PMO strategy and strengthened capital governance, implementing a CAPEX approval process that eliminated millions of dollars of historically wasted effort. I also led automation, cobot, and vision-system installations through FAT/SAT and production ramp-up.

At Afton Chemical Corporation, I directed global operations and engineering for five mechanical testing laboratories and held CAPEX accountability across the facilities. Earlier, I developed test rigs, including a transmission pump rig that became an industry-standard OEM test for Mercedes-Benz / Daimler; at Ford Motor Company, my Six Sigma Green Belt project saved the Norfolk Assembly Plant $200MM annually.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

VV
Current

Senior Director, Global Manufacturing Operations / Engineering

VSP Visionworks

Jan 2025 - Present (1 year 10 months)

Responsible for managing four regulated prescription medical device manufacturing facilities within a matrix organization, with full P&L responsibility and oversight of quality, patient service, and EHS compliance. Leads and coaches site management teams, driving continuous improvement and data-driven decision-making.

SP

Director of Engineering & Project Management (CAPEX)

Sabra Dipping (Pepsi)

Jan 2022 - Dec 2024 (2 years 11 months)

Served as gatekeeper for all capital expenditures, implementing an enhanced CAPEX AOP process and leading automation and cobot installations. Developed and implemented PMO strategy, governance, and project management methodologies, and led a team of project managers.

AC

Director of Global Operations / Engineering

Afton Chemical Corporation

Jan 2018 - Dec 2021 (3 years 11 months)

Oversaw global mechanical testing facilities, including a 20-acre R&D vehicle test campus, with CAPEX accountability and safety oversight for 400+ personnel. Restructured global operations and implemented enterprise-level project management software and continuous improvement tools.

AC

R&D Project Engineer

Afton Chemical Corporation

Jan 2007 - Dec 2011 (4 years 11 months)

Designed and implemented complex industrial test rigs for lubricant testing, including a transmission pump test rig now an industry standard for Mercedes-Benz. Managed engineering workload and maintained ISO and ASTM accreditations.

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

Old Dominion University logoOU

Old Dominion University

Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Old Dominion University.

Longwood University logoLU

Longwood University

Bachelor of Science, Physics

Bachelor of Science in Physics from Longwood University.

FC

Ford Motor Company

Six Sigma Green Belt, Six Sigma

Six Sigma Green Belt certification from Ford Motor Company.

AC

Afton Chemical Corporation

Kepner-Tregoe Project Management, Project Management

Kepner-Tregoe Project Management certification from Afton Chemical Corporation.

Tech stack

Software and tools used professionally

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