Instructor Biography

Denise D. Gillespie, CPIM, CIRM, CSCP

Denise Gillespie is the President and founder of The Denmark Group, Inc. and has nearly 25 years experience in manufacturing industries. During her career, she has held various positions in manufacturing operations management, and as an independent management consultant.

A results oriented manager, Denise has managed business process improvement projects, JIT and Supplier Certification initiatives, business strategy, ISO 9000 certification, and many enterprise-wide (ERP) systems implementations. She is skilled at leading cross-functional teams, developing operational strategies and tactics, and implementing change throughout organizations. She is proficient in project management, ERP, Supply Chain Management, Lean Manufacturing, Sales & Operations Planning, and World Class Inventory & Production Management concepts.

Denise started her career at American Hospital Supply, and has worked in several other manufacturing organizations including Baxter International, Bristol Myers-Squibb, and Xomed. She has worked in industry as Director of Materials, as a management consultant, and as an independent consultant for several ERP software companies. Her knowledge of make–to-stock, make-to-order, assemble-to-order, and engineered-to-order businesses allows her to understand the differentiating factors between these types of enterprises. She has worked in job shop, process, and repetitive environments encompassing such industries as electronic assembly, medical device, HVAC, cable & wire, power generation, plastic fabrication (injection molding & extrusion), fiber optic assembly, and metal fabrication, as well as others.

Denise earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from Florida State University, and a Masters in Business Administration from Pepperdine University. She is certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM), Integrated Resource Management (CIRM), and is a Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP). Denise is also a certified instructor in Total Quality Leadership, and recently completed the Instructor training for the Lean Enterprise Workshop Series.

Denise has achieved Competent Toastmaster (CTM) status with Toastmasters International and is a frequent speaker at professional societies and organizations. She is currently the Mid-Florida Chapter Secretary, a certification instructor, a past Chapter president, and a staff volunteer for Region IV in APICS– The Association for Operations Management. Additionally, Denise is an active member in the Manufacturing Association of Central Florida (MACF) and the Institute of Supply Management (ISM).