Tasked to build out Manufacturing Engineering group to support production volume increases.Coach and develop ME team (Technicians – Sr Eng.’s) for career growth through increased roles and responsibilities for future business needs.Lead and coach ME team members to be active and contributing NPI core team members that represent operations to ensure successful transition of new products for commercialization.Took on role of interim Manufacturing Manager overseeing production floor (Jan. 2021).Educate and coach Manufacturing Engineers and production staff on Lean manufacturing principles (8 Wastes, 5S, SQDCM, SIPOC) and implement on continuous improvement projects.

Transformed Tooling Engineering Department to Manufacturing Engineering Department to focus on continuous improvement, process development, and focused floor support.Developed and monitored Manufacturing Engineer activities for projects moving through production to limit production delays and reduce repetitive quality issues. Organized and inventoried legacy tooling for future use on the testing of motors and generators while designing multi-use tools that could be used on various projects.Responsible for scheduling continuous improvement projects throughout production areas and ensure projects are completed on time.

Supported powder coat paint line with throughput improvements, quality initiatives and daily maintenance procedures. -Increased powder coat paint line capacity by 500% and line density by 50% with new hooks and conveyor attachment points.-Generated annual savings of $50,000 by moving masking operations offline.

Led new internal Machine Shop business unit for vertical integration of machined parts supply base. Supported engineering with prototype production. Researched and negotiated capital equipment purchases. -Developed and validated business case for internal Machine Shop business unit.-Generated annual savings of $1 million or more by developing internal processes to manage daily transactions for scheduling, routings, fabrication, inspection, costing, and inventory control.

Executed production schedule to meet customer delivery expectations, including lead time, on time, and quality performance while meeting cost and efficiency targets. Supervised and mentored 15 direct reports and 10 indirect reports. -Boosted on-time delivery rate to 100% by identifying inefficiencies causing 77% on-time delivery rate and changing job scheduling, assembly processes, and inventory processes.-Reduced assembly defects 37% in 2007, 36% in 2008, and 45% in 2009; efforts resulted in 99% quality yield rate.-Increased capacity and throughput 400% by evaluating and changing supply inspection processes.

Resolved production issues with assemblers, test techs, engineering staff, and suppliers. Designed and developed tooling required to support manufacturability and testing of new products. Performed Design For Manufacturing and Assembly reviews (DFMA) to support new product introductions. Revised assembly instructions from written format to pictorial to reduce assembly defects and mistake-proof instructions for multi-lingual work force. Supported and maintained ISO 9001 certification through daily work activities and internal department audits. -Designed plant layout for new 150K-square foot factory in Suzhou, China resulting in world class facility that combined benefits of western and eastern manufacturing practices and cultural beliefs. -Piloted on-time transfer of 150i, a desktop embosser, from Minneapolis to Suzhou; led cross-functional team located in both US and China; efforts resulted in 25% margin increase for 150i.-Increased margin on SP35 Desktop Printer 5% by leading team to transfer manufacturing from Penang to Suzhou.

Estimated part production costs while providing pre and post sales support. Designed and programmed LAM performs and necessary tooling for production. Developed inspection procedures for near net shape parts. -Researched and developed LAM process parameters and implemented into production.-Design and oversaw installation of retrofits to LAM system.

Perform presales software demonstrations for potential customer and post sales support with training and hotline support.-Provided onsite site training and tutoring to produce successful software implementations.-Performed contract engineering design and CNC programming work.