Erik Larson Email & Phone Number

Austin, Texas, United States

Responsible for global manufacturing, validation, and lean engineering in addition to our Austin-based test and prototyping facility.

Austin, Texas, United States

• Lead and develop several teams responsible for systematic analysis and optimization of manufacturing processes across the YETI global operations landscape
• Partner with Procurement Director to optimize factory start-up and capacity expansions
• For new products, support development of supplier startup plan and project schedule that aligns with the category speed to market objectives
• Create baseline models for cost, cycle time analysis and throughput improvement, and identify optimization opportunities
• Develop project scope, gain executive approval and manage the full project lifecycle ensuring delivery within budget and on schedule
• In coordination with Procurement Managers, build a cost reduction roadmap based on the should-cost analysis and drive out waste through Lean and VA/VE initiatives to ensure cost targets are achieved

Austin, Texas, United States

• Own delivery of new products according to product roadmap
• Guide a team of Engineering Program Managers who are responsible to lead multiple NPD projects each from concept to in-market launch. Manage resources according to business needs and priorities.
• Champion the process improvement, training and adherence to YETI’s stage-gate NPD process
• Drive accountability within the team and cross-functional organization, related to new product development, maintenance, and customization activities
• Create discipline around process and ensure consistency from project-to-project
• Partner with cross-functional team leaders for project prioritization and team alignment

Austin, Texas Area

Austin, Texas Area

Austin, Texas Area

• Lead the project management, engineering and execution of new YETI products.
• Evaluate and select manufacturers for components and final products.
• Lead cross-functional team meetings and maintain all product and project documentation.
• Research existing and new materials & processes relevant to product.

Portland, Oregon Area

• Brought to market over 100 SMU (Special Make-up) SKUs for major retail chains such as Wal-Mart, Target, Lowes, and Home Depot.
• In constant communication with Asian supply chain, including travelling to China, to solve problems with tooling, machining, injection molding, packaging, etc.

Portland, Oregon Area

• Developed and implemented a first article inspection procedure for new and legacy products to drive a company goal of 98% initial submission pass rate.
• Responsible for managing non-conformances and actively driving corrective and preventative action to improve supplier quality performance.
• Supported and optimized incoming, first article, and pre-shipment inspection by developing efficient processes, reducing equipment setup, streamlining test methods, and organizing quality assurance standards.

Milwaukie, OR

• Responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating customers' new product along with reverse engineering, designing, modeling, developing, and testing over 600 new parts.
• Managed a 5s Kaizen project which eliminated entire inventory “supermarket” of more than $40,000 by consolidating product families and implementing a specific build-to-order system.
• Completed numerous continuous improvement projects involving engineering and production processes, standardization, line balancing, floor layouts, and value stream mapping.
• Designed complex fixtures, tooling, and jigs for product line in SolidWorks/SheetWorks.

San Marcos, TX

• Designed process layout with optimal efficiency for new manufacturing facility.
• Oversaw scheduling and production control.

San Marcos, TX

• Performed process capability and tool performance analysis using six sigma techniques.
• Completed various tool design projects using 3D and 2D modeling software.
• Developed excel macros to assist in ply-orientation and statistical modeling.

San Marcos, TX

• Designed and implemented inventory and Kanban system.
• Performed time-motion studies and developed work standard.

Austin, TX

• Served as DMR Focal (discrepant parts analysis and corrective actions).
• Completed extensive time study and top non-value added project to improve line efficiency.