Chris Powell Email and Phone Number

VinFast is an Automotive Manufacturer (OEM), based in Vietnam, building electric vehicles for the global market. They established an Aftersales Engineering department in Melbourne, before relocating this to Vietnam. I developed comprehensive Technical Training material for their first Electric Vehicles. This material was used to train the Service Operations teams in Vietnam, USA, Canada and Europe. I also assisted in developing Customer Literature, including the VFe34, VF8 & VF9 Owner's Manuals.

I was responsible for the integration and project management of the Exterior Systems. This role was made redundant when the Vinfast Melbourne engineering department (ATI) was closed down in May 2021. I was fortunate to transfer to the Aftersales Engineering team at that point.

As the executive operations manager I reported to the 2 business owners/directors. I oversaw Production, Human Resources, Maintenance, Quality, Administration, Finance and Customer Service. I led the management team and drove improvements throughout the whole business, focused on profitability, customer service and sustainability. I had 60-80 staff reporting to me, via 3 manufacturing sites. Some of my significant contributions to the business include; - Project managed the relocation to a larger facility, during a business acquisition.- Developed the organisational structure. Recruited, mentored and managed staff. - Drove results by creating role clarity for individuals and teams, including creating position descriptions and swimlane process flow charts.- Developed Customer Service and Production metrics, tracking value of open orders by department, age of orders, customer commitments, production loads per day, etc.- Communicated with suppliers and customers daily and developed pricing & costing models.- Reviewed expenditure and return on investment for plant & equipment upgrades.- Liaised with WorkSafe Victoria as required, developing and implementing safety improvements.Precision Plating provides electroplating, assembly & other manufacturing services for a diverse range of customers, including from the plumbing, automotive, building and scientific industries.

I project managed the design, installation & commissioning of a new hoist operated plating line, for chrome plating on Aluminium within an existing facility.I led the product realisation of a new product range for one of our largest customers. Including the development and management of the supply chain, comprising die casting, injection moulding, hardware and electrical fabrication, polishing and painting suppliers and over 40 new tools. I oversaw the establishment of a 'brown-field' Assembly and Warehousing facility, which supplies complex sub-assemblies to another Australian manufacturer.

I was responsible for the Engineering and Project Management of Exterior systems and components. This included the design, timing, stakeholder and risk management, purchasing Request For Quote development, cost estimation and control, technical supplier quote analysis, validation and continuous improvement activities. I developed a variety of complex parts and systems, often with compressed development lead-times and tight cost constraints. These utilised many different manufacturing processes, including; Injection Moulding, Extrusion, Die Casting, Stamping, Assembly and Electrical/Operational Testing. I managed projects for numerous major vehicle programs, including the VE & VF Commodore, Cruze, Camaro and two GM China vehicle programs. I gained significant experience working with global teams and suppliers and managing multicultural communication.I earned the top rating for my annual performance review and was promoted from Senior Project Engineer to Specialist Project Engineer in 2012.

I was responsible for achieving the production approval a large number (100+) of VE Commodore Exterior components. This included the Timing Management, Stakeholder and Issues List Management, Problem Solving, Dimensional and Validation/Testing approval, Manufacturing Quality Systems approval, Capacity Analysis and Statistical Process Control analysis.I successfully achieved the large number of component approvals within the program milestones by utilising my strong time management and organisational skills and by applying a high level of attention to detail during the development process. I travelled to Korea on a special short term assignment during a major vehicle launch and I successfully resolved the significant supplier quality issues, allowing production to commence.

This was a fast paced, high pressure role in the Holden Port Melbourne engine plants. I was responsible for containing, analysing and developing solutions for quality issues. I was the first point of supplier quality contact and was relied on to support engine production. I was exposed to many different manufacturing processes and observed many failure modes. I successfully implemented many (100+) quality and process improvements with the component suppliers, often through significant negotiation. I presented to senior Plant Management weekly and this role helped to develop my logical problem solving skills and my ability to lead while under pressure.

As part of a new and small team, I was responsible for the implementation of the APQP (Advanced Product Quality Planning) process to GM Holden. I supported the Commodity Buyers in the Purchasing department to ensure that Quality and Capability requirements were met in the companies sourcing decisions. Tasks I performed included; reviewing supplier quotes, performing quality evaluations, conducting risk analysis and developing contingency and support plans. I travelled to Thailand and Japan to audit potential suppliers and I negotiated acceptable sourcing terms. I also prevented a major risk to the VE program by idenfiying a lack of capability in a low cost supplier from China.

I supported the Engineering Program Managers with the Timing Management and Status Reporting of new vehicle programs. I chaired a number of weekly design review and management meetings. I also performed a number of hands on tasks, including helping to build the VZ Commodore prototypes and conducting durability assessments at the Holden Proving Ground.