James Ashdown, P.Eng., Pmp Email & Phone Number

Winnipeg, Canada Area

• Investigated high-profile product failures and managed complex technical projects related to major fleet issues (commercial, customer-sensitive, safety) to improve customer satisfaction and decrease warranty spending. Successfully implemented numerous design improvements resulting in significant financial savings, increased bus reliability and improved customer loyalty. • Acted as a dedicated program manager for 2+ years and successfully launched “Project Juice Box” within the service department during a company-wide product reliability initiative to reduce battery failures on electric buses. Assigned tasks, issued status reports to key stakeholders, and balanced the workloads of cross-functional team members during both project planning and executing phases. Accomplished critical objectives and successfully met project deadlines. • Managed warranty failure trend meetings and enhanced the field failure tracking system to effectively review emerging technical issues with cross-functional team members. Developed key performance metrics and reporting systems to communicate both failure trends and warranty costs to departmental leadership.• Mentored Technical Service Specialist (TSS) team members and provided guidance during the creation of customer presentations, A3 problem solving methods and Technical Service Information Bulletins (TSIBs). Also assisted in leading issue status meetings, reviewing employee workloads/responsibilities, checking work documents and providing onboarding training for new team members.

Winnipeg, Canada Area

• Worked in accordance with customer and supplier timelines to prioritize urgent customer concerns and assisted during fleet product improvements, safety issues and commercial discussions.• Scrutinized field data to determine both root cause and corrective actions during warranty investigations. Worked closely with suppliers and assisted with cost recovery activities during supplier product investigations and quality issues.• Developed repair instructions to complete field retrofits and implemented product design improvements to increase both customer confidence and satisfaction.

Winnipeg, Canada Area

• Managed both strategic insourcing initiates and building facility renovation projects within the facilities engineering department. Worked with contractors and maintenance personnel during project planning and execution phases.• Led lean manufacturing initiatives including Kaizen events, Value Stream Mapping (VSM) workshops, 5S quality audits and time-study process observations, improving both operational efficiency and manufacturing lead-time data.

Winnipeg, Canada Area

• Worked in the turboprop aircraft engine accessories department and supported 20+ cross-functional technicians and employees. Supported engine troubleshooting issues, warranty investigations and new repair processes as well as resolved urgent production issues to meet engine delivery deadlines.• Assisted in creating and implementing minor repair procedures based on both OEM technical data and industry regulation compliance requirements, building a competitive advantage and increasing company profit potential.

Master Of Business Administration - Mba, Leadership And Organizations

The Asper MBA program core consists of over 30 credit hours of business fundamentals and strategy, and a foundation in leadership.

Certificate (Hons.), Project Management

Developed essential project management skills needed to effectively manage programs or projects in a variety of complex environments..

Bachelor Of Science (Bsc), Mechanical Engineering With Aerospace Stream. Minor In Business Management And Administration.

Activities and Societies: Member of the University of Manitoba 1/4 Scale Tractor TeamThe mechanical engineering program provided.