James Rink, Ed.D. Email & Phone Number

Naperville, Il, Us

Madison, Wi, Us

As the Director of the QRM Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, I lead initiatives dedicated to teaching and implementing lead time reduction principles. At the forefront of Quick Response Manufacturing (QRM), we reduce lead times in traditional manufacturing and extend our approach to support and back-office processes, enhancing responsiveness, outcomes, and driving efficiency in various manufacturing environments.By leveraging proven engineering principles and focusing on high-mix, low-volume, and custom-engineered products, our work improves responsiveness and quality while reducing costs. Our collaborative approach across academic and industrial sectors ensures global competitiveness with our partner companies and students, fostering continuous improvement and competitiveness.As the Program Director for the Manufacturing Systems Engineering (MSE) online graduate program, I am part of an exceptional faculty team that has created a curriculum to equip engineers with the skills needed to lead and grow in a manufacturing-focused career. The program provides vital manufacturing and business skills, introduces technological and process innovations, and exposes students to the latest thinking in quality, lean, supply chain, sustainability, data analytics, and digital manufacturing.This online MSE master’s degree is designed for working engineers in various industries, including food and beverage, automotive, and aerospace. The curriculum allows students to complete the program in 2-3 years while maintaining their professional roles. With a blend of technology and leadership courses spanning 30 credit hours, students are equipped to lead technical projects and understand the financial implications of their decisions, enabling immediate application of skills in real-world scenarios and enhancing professional development and organizational impact.For more information, email me at: JRink@Wisc.edu.

Within the Café, we are a community of dedicated coaches working together to support career professionals and executive leaders through career transitions. We provide a safe, confidential community focused on networking, accountability, and ongoing support. Additionally, we partner with trusted organizations to refer community members for skills-based assistance, ensuring each individual receives s comprehensive support. Our services, offered at little to no cost, are designed to be accessible to those who need them most. Becoming part of our community is through referral and begins with a personal onboarding call to understand each individual’s unique needs and goals, all within a safe, confidential space.

Romeoville, Il, Us

I teach courses in Mentoring & Coaching, Social Theory, Leadership Theory, and Applied Social Science within the Organizational Leadership and Management Department. My focus is on developing future leaders by blending academic concepts with real-world applications, fostering critical thinking, and supporting students’ personal and professional growth. Drawing on my industry experience, I aim to provide practical insights into leadership dynamics and social sciences, enhancing the learning experience and preparing students for impactful careers.

Naperville, Il, Us

I established Integrity 360 Leadership (i360L) to address the unique challenges that prevent organizations from achieving an engaged culture, superior performance, and exceptional financial results. The services provided by i360L cater to the needs of both non-profit and for-profit organizations, and can be delivered directly or as part of a white-label consulting relationship. If you are interested in learning more about i360L's services, please feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn or email me at Jim.Rink@i360L.com.

Vadodara, Gujarat, In

As a senior consultant and business advisor through i360L, I work within L&T Technology Services' Digital Manufacturing & Supply Chain team, I provide tailored solutions to clients on a project-by-project basis, short engagement basis, helping client’s achieve their goals and thrive in an ever-evolving industrial landscape.Regardless of whether my clients are in heavy equipment, vocational vehicles, medical devices, or other traditional industries, I collaborate with a skilled team of technical professionals to offer innovative consulting services that facilitate operational excellence and unlock the full potential of Industry 4.0 and Smart Factory technologies.My expertise as a senior consultant and business advisor revolves around operational excellence, with a focus on streamlining supply chain processes, optimizing manufacturing workflows, and implementing digital transformation initiatives that enhance efficiency. My top priority is delivering measurable results for my clients, and I take pride in utilizing my skills and experience to help them succeed.My emphasis on operational excellence allows me to deliver solutions that cater to my clients' unique needs and requirements, whether their objectives are centered on cost reduction, productivity enhancement, or quality improvement. Whether it's reducing costs, increasing productivity, or improving quality, my focus on operational excellence enables me to deliver customized solutions that meet clients' specific needs and requirements.

Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Us

As part of the Larsen & Toubro Technology Services' (LTTS) consulting team, I provided consulting services as a senior program manager on a cross-functional team within Oshkosh Corporation developing North America's first fully integrated, zero-emission electric refuse collection vehicle: https://integratedrefusecollector.com/Manufacturing of Oshkosh’s integrated, electric refuse collection vehicle will leverage several Oshkosh facilities, including a new, state-of-the-art plant in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Product prototype testing on designated routes will be completed in 2023, with customer deliveries starting in 2024.

Irving, Texas, Us

I was the general manager for a $340M internal business with three US manufacturing facilities. I was accountable for over 1,000 contractors and employees that machined, assembled, and shipped precision, low-volume, high-mix hydraulic components to construction and mining vehicle plants globally. • I ensured our safety, quality, delivery and cost commitment were achieved and the team successfully moved to new opportunities within Caterpillar and other leading organizations, while we transitioned the largest facility through a two-year closing process.• In decommissioning the Joliet, Illinois plant, we achieved facility-best levels in safety and quality throughout closure, while exceeding industry safety benchmarks and maintaining internal corporate standards for engagement, safety, quality, delivery, and cost.• I ensured the physical assets in the plant were effectively reused within Caterpillar or sold externally. Overall, $50M in machine & fixture assets and an additional $6M in spare parts & tooling were transferred or sold.

Irving, Texas, Us

I was accountable for product realization / new product introduction (NPI) across 18 global manufacturing facilities in the United States, Mexico, China, and the United Kingdom. Our focus was on simplifying processes, delivering quality and cost improvements, and leveraging collaboration and knowledge sharing for efficiency gains. Results included:• Launching an annual technical conference which grew to be a global virtual event with over 900 participants across 12 countries, with 60 subject matter experts presenting across 18 continuous hours.• Creating global communities of practice for knowledge sharing in analytics, additive manufacturing, maintenance management, machining, and tool design.

Irving, Texas, Us

I led the business case development, investment proposal review, and program execution across multiple facilities in the Midwest United States and Mexico for over $50M in annual capital investment. • The challenge was to ensure continued corporate investment in high-impact technology areas, while concurrently consolidating redundant and low-impact assets globally. • With limited funding, this required a global analysis and review of potential investments to ensure long-term profitability and ongoing assurance of supply.

Irving, Texas, Us

I fast-tracked a $100M manufacturing expansion across multiple sites driven by rapid growth in projected customer demand. I developed and executed the long-term capacity plan as we managed 140 complex projects to improve quality, cost, and efficiency. In this role, my team: • Relocated two extensive product lines to new locations.• Led implementation of an interim facility while reconfiguring the permanent production site. Concurrently, managed a 125K square foot addition to an existing facility in South Carolina.• Completed 125 machine moves including the purchase of a new paint line and an additional 35 multi-axis machine tools.• Delivered all expansions and rearrangements within established timeline, scope, and budget, while exceeding service level commitments to customers.

Irving, Texas, Us

I was selected by our Vice President to spearhead a special project, defining the overall manufacturing and supply chain footprint, consolidation/expansion plan, and implementation strategy for the $3B division across 18 global sites. In completing the global footprint study and gaining executive approval, we: • Built a global footprint team to review our manufacturing processes, production site capabilities and component where-made strategy. • Reviewed the overall manufacturing components processes and conducted a comprehensive make-buy analysis to evaluate component strategic importance versus supplier capability.• Gained approval and executive leadership team funding to push forward significant modifications in the global production footprint based upon long-term cost structure improvement and projected return on investment. • Provided the game plan to eliminate component manufacturing in Belgium, exit component manufacturing in one of two Japanese factories, decommission three US facilities, and construct new facilities in Mexico..

Irving, Texas, Us

I had the privilege of having many leadership roles and experiences within Caterpillar over a challenging, growing, and rewarding career with a great global company. Roles included Director of Operations – Joliet Hydraulics Facility (Joliet, IL), Director of Manufacturing – Transmission Business Unit (East Peoria, IL), Plant Manager – Forest Products Assembly Facility (LaGrange, GA), New Product Development Manager – Wheel Loader & Excavator Division (Aurora, IL).

Doctor Of Education - Ed.D., Interdisciplinary Leadership / Social Entrepreneurship

Executive Education Program

Mba, General Business

Ms, Manufacturing Systems Engineering

Bs, Mechanical Engineering