Elsa Kars Email & Phone Number

Littleton, Co, Us

Castle Rock, Co

Volunteer management for approximately 120 of the county's finest Master Gardeners

Kentwood, Mi

Concept-to-launch project management of low volume/high mix color measurement instruments and supporting product offerings (software, calibration tools, etc.). Functional liaison between Design Engineering and Operations teams accountable for establishment and attainment of product quality, delivery, and cost objectives with direct report-outs to senior leadership team. Responsibilities include: program planning/scheduling, resource management, design for manufacturability, risk assessment, cost estimating (material, labor, burden and tooling), beta/pilot build planning and execution, cell design, deployment and validation of all manufacturing deliverables. Lean manufacturing principles applied in all aspects of work performed.

Manage manufacturing engineering efforts to reduce cost, eliminate quality defects, improve throughput and support day-to-day operations of legacy products. Developed standardized process documentation for continuous improvement and established common business metrics to promote data-driven decision making. Managed 3 major program launches for a total business growth of 80% in sales, including takeover of a product line from PAC’s largest aerospace customer. This project involved the start-up of a new facility, relocation of 26 major pieces of equipment, hiring and training of 40 new employees and coordination with the customer during all phases of planning and execution. Developed standardized work for program launch and manufacturing engineering job release. Coordinated facility rearrangements to accommodate business growth, establish product flow and optimize operator/machine balance. Developed packaging solutions for new product programs and implemented returnable dunnage with existing customers.

Developed common business metrics for 4 plants, driving continuous improvement activity directly tied to business goals and profitability. Establish standardized continuous improvement process and measurement system. Perform special projects such as upgrading of coordinate measurement machines (CMMs) at each plant to laser scanning capability and benchmarking to JCI (customer) standards.

Concept phase Industrial Engineering for over $250M in fuel injector projects including component fabrication, assembly and test operations in Michigan, China, Brazil, Korea & Austria. Responsibilities include: manufacturing system design cross-functional team leader, product cost analysis for capital appropriation, learning curve analysis for module timing of investment and equipment start-up, capacity analysis, manpower forecasting, material handling and containerization design, machinery and workplace design including ergonomics, errorproofing, quick changeover, site preparation, plant layout and equipment installation. Special assignments include redesign and reorganization of shipping and receiving area, and planning for total plant relocation to another Delphi facility.

Bsie, Industrial Engineering, Cum Laude

Activities and Societies: Tau Beta Pi, Management Honor Society, Alpha Pi Mu, Beta Sigma Phi

Education record