Frank Varano
About Frank Varano
Frank Varano serves as the Director of Operations at Stuffed Puffs® Filled Marshmallows, where he has worked since 2022. He has a background in mechanical engineering and extensive experience in operations and maintenance management, particularly from his tenure at Georgia-Pacific LLC.
Work at Stuffed Puffs
Frank Varano has been serving as the Director of Operations at Stuffed Puffs® Filled Marshmallows since 2022. In this role, he oversees operational efficiency and implements strategic initiatives to enhance productivity. Prior to his current position, he worked as the Plant Manager for 11 months in 2021, where he was responsible for managing plant operations. He also held the position of Director of Technical Operations for five months in 2021, focusing on technical aspects of manufacturing. Varano has implemented a performance, skills, and qualifications program aimed at increasing the skills and knowledge of hourly employees.
Experience at Georgia-Pacific LLC
Frank Varano has extensive experience at Georgia-Pacific LLC, where he held multiple roles over several years. He worked as a Maintenance Supervisor from 2016 to 2019, overseeing maintenance operations in Easton, Pennsylvania. Prior to that, he served as a Reliability Engineer from 2012 to 2016, focusing on reliability and maintenance strategies. His earlier positions included Project Engineer from 2010 to 2012 and Mechanical Engineering Intern from 2008 to 2009. Varano also briefly served as Plant Director in 2021 and Operations Manager from 2019 to 2020.
Education and Expertise
Frank Varano earned a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Penn State University, completing his studies from 2005 to 2009. His education provided a strong foundation in engineering principles, which he has applied throughout his career. Additionally, he completed Georgia Pacific's reliability solutions course, enhancing his skills in precision and predictive maintenance. This educational background supports his expertise in operational management and engineering practices in manufacturing environments.
Safety and Compliance Initiatives
In his roles, Frank Varano has been responsible for implementing safety and compliance initiatives. At Stuffed Puffs® Filled Marshmallows, he ensured that the facility achieved SQF certification, which involves adherence to safety and quality standards. During his time at Georgia-Pacific, he developed and approved lock out tag out procedures as part of his safety management responsibilities. These initiatives reflect his commitment to maintaining a safe working environment.
Operational Strategies and Management
Throughout his career, Frank Varano has developed and implemented various operational strategies. At Stuffed Puffs® Filled Marshmallows, he applied Koch Industry's Market Based Management principles to foster a positive facility culture. He also developed asset strategies that included preventive maintenance schedules, standard operating procedures, and troubleshooting guides, which are essential for optimizing operational efficiency and ensuring effective maintenance practices.