Michael Melton Email & Phone Number

Chicago, Il, Us

Sycamore, Illinois, Us

Leader of Product Management, Marketing, Channel, and Project Management for Ideal Electrical - North America

Itasca, Illinois, Us

Promoted to further improve NPD performance and business alignment with direct oversight of our product management, engineering, and project management teams. Annually developed strategies and executed 3 year product roadmaps and to maximize profitable growth. - Improved business profitability and reduced manufacturing complexity by completing projects to reduce costs by over 6% YOY and reducing SKU count by over 50%-Increased new product vitality by over 4x by improving our stage gate process, developing new methods for user research (with both Product and Engineering), and building a stronger team. Resulting in innovative product launches such as the Glidesafe Extension, Adjustable Height Work Platforms, and Multi-Position Pro ladders. - Recognized by Lowe's and The Home Depot as a key innovator in our industry with Product Innovation of the Year (Lowe's), Interconnected Partner of the Year (The Home Depot), and a runner up position to Product Innovation of the Year (The Home Depot)- Developed a new visual brand language for the Werner brand and products. Once in a career opportunity to revamp an industry leading brand using end user research to tie in safety and consistency to our new look and feel- Launched a new ICON based system to improve job site safety awareness. And industry first, took the initiative to go against the grain to improve safety by researching, legally vetting, and developing a new labeling system and series of QR code videos to reinforce job site safety training.

Itasca, Illinois, Us

Promoted to improve Werner's new product development performance by improving our stage gate process, developing new methods for user research (with Product and Engineering), and building a stronger team. Responsibilities now included all of Werner's product lines both domestic (Mexico) and in China. Annually developed and executed 3 year product roadmaps and business strategies to maximize profitable growth. Positioned the Werner brand across distribution channels while defending our industry leading market share against competition.Responsibilities include:• Setting business strategy by developing 3 yr strategic plans - including product innovation roadmaps & key quality and profitability objectives• P&L responsibility and department budget creation/management• Business case development, translating field insights into market opportunities• Manage a global manufacturing footprint for new product development and sustaining activities• Stage-Gate management through new product development life cycle• Hire, mentor, and lead a team of key Product Managers• Establish world-class best practices in the product development process• Qualitative & Quantitative end-user research (focus groups, interviews, & surveys)• Market share trends, price positioning, and competitive analysis (landscapes, gap analysis, etc.)• Quarterly business reviews with senior leadership• Create and present product-related support for PLRs (Product Line Reviews)• Present NPD directly to key Merchants (The Home Depot, Lowe's, Menards, Ace, Do it Best, etc.)• Develop packaging for products (messaging, feature ranking, & product/application photography)

Itasca, Illinois, Us

Recruited to set up and lead a global product development team consisting of both product marketing and engineering primarily focused on sourced products from China. Established relationships with Chinese based manufacturing companies through onsite visits and was charged with effectively leveraging this supply base to exceed the customer needs ensuring quality, profitability, and speed to market targets were met.Responsibilities include:• Led a team of product development professionals both in the US and in Asia • Developed 3 yr product roadmaps• Established strategic relationships with partner factories globally• Direct reports include Product Managers, Engineers, and Designers• P&L management• Conducted end-user research, including job site visits and focus groups• Market share, pricing, and competitive analysis• Strategic planning and market share analysis• Presented for commercial customers (Big Box, Hardware, PRO)• Facilitated communication between Sales, Finance, Manufacturing, Quality, and Engineering• Created detailed product specifications• Wrote and presented business plans to justify the assignment of company resources• Set project/product CTQs and led teams to deliver (cost, timing, product feature sets)• Engineering design and development - prototypes through commercial launch• Developed packaging for products, created messaging, feature ranking, & approved photography.

Itasca, Illinois, Us

Product Manager responsible for the strategic direction of multiple product categories in the Climbing Products group. Working with a cross functional team including Engineering, Sales, and Commercial Marketing to develop and commercialize product concepts with "must have" feature sets.Responsibilities include: Strategy, Setting Product Development Vision, P&L Management, Competitive Analysis, and Field Research.

Azusa, California, Us

Promoted to provide technical direction and leadership of all engineering activities including NPD, continuous improvement, and production line support at four manufacturing facilities. Direct reports: Engineering Manager, Tooling Engineer, Manufacturing Engineers, Project Engineers and Designers both in Tucson and Tijuana, Mexico. • Developed and executed annual strategic planning documents mapping out succession planning, new product development, quality improvement, and cost reduction projects for over 5 yrs.• P&L exp; responsible for quarterly financial summaries and annual SBU budget/revenue forecasts.• Prepared SWOT analysis as part of Pumps Mfg. Business Review. Resulted in addition of a critical field sales support manager, leading to improved pump sales +20% (2015 vs. 2014).• Gathered VOC at Industry shows, Distributor Round Tables, and Superintendent Fly-ins leading to product enhancements.• Developed a competitive testing regiment highlighting Pros/Cons to create sales and marketing materials.• Stage Gate Development of new electric solenoid incorporating customer feedback into design.• Prevented shutdown of 2/3rd(s) of business by quickly building a team and executing a design project in record time. • Led the failure analysis, re-design, and re-launch of a strategic electromechanical product line. As a result this product now drives over 50% of the sales for the Golf business.• Created new testing capabilities and correlation study linking test performance to field life, now used company wide.• Developed a custom low angle nozzle to address an urgent need of a top five golf course blocking a competitive bid.• Redesigned swing joint product line resulting in 6 times the expected life in pressure surge testing (industry leading).• Built culture of Quality leading to 69% YOY reduction in warranty claims and reduced DPPMs for 5 consecutive yrs• International management experience, hiring manager with up to 10 direct reports (Mexico and US).

Azusa, California, Us

Recruited to provide leadership in engineering design and project management, responsible for the product design, creation of schedules, validation test plans, and driving results. • Launched 700/751 Rotor product line incorporating new feature sets while achieving 25% reduced cost targets.• Awarded Patent # US 7,926,746 B2 - flow control device extending the useful range of existing 700 valves without hunting.• Experience using computer simulations (FEA / CFD) to reduce time to market by creating better prototypes the first time. • Developed over 20 ultrasonic welding programs improving quality by strengthening joints and improving consistency.• Developed glass filled nylon valves utilizing Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to address chemical attack failures in the field.• Redesigned 900 valve to extend its useful flow capacity allowing the use of 20% longer range nozzles.• Spearheaded introduction of Smarteam (PDM database) improving electronic design control of 3D modeled components.• Trained co-workers in use of OGP Smart scope resulting in enhanced inspection and root cause analysis capabilities.• Designed new fabric reinforced diaphragms resulting in lower wear and 50% improved surge performance. • Utilized process capability studies (Ppk, Cpk, Gage R & R) in Minitab or Excel to ensure a successful launch of all new tooling.• Utilized Failure Mode & Effects Analysis (DFMEA) and Design of Experiments (DOE) to enhance product quality.• Designed components for plastic injection molding, screw machining, powdered metal sintering, and compression molds.

Chicago, Il, Us

Recruited as the Engineering Manager for WaterSaver Faucet Company with design responsibility over sister company Guardian Equipment. Reported directly to the owner and ran the operations side of the +$40 M business along with the plant manager. Recruited away from Rain Bird for Engineering Manager role. • Hiring manager responsible for 2 engineering departments and their inspection lab (8 direct reports).• Responsible for direction and workflow for NPD and sustaining projects (co-located with plant).• Implemented new standards for quality control, internal validation testing, and document control.• Spearheaded numerous procedure changes and refined processes, improving workflow efficiency.• International experience at Pfizer facility in Sandwich England. Met with end users to ensure customer satisfaction.• Justified purchase of RAM Optical "Smart Scope" resulting in automation of many inspection tasks.• Redesigned brass crimped fitting connection and fabric reinforced diaphragm to resolve top customer quality concerns.• Experienced with plastic injection molding, brass extrusions, brass forgings, sand castings and stainless investment castings.

Azusa, California, Us

Project Engineer in the Golf Division. Primary responsibilities included design and trouble shooting support for the case, regulator, and valves used in the Golf rotor assemblies. Traveled to various courses to resolve customer issues and / or support field testing efforts. Awarded a patent for a flow control device. Experienced with plastic injection molding (design and tooling qualifications), FEA and CFD analysis, project management techniques (YCA training using Microsoft Project), creation of ultrasonic welding processes and the use of DFMEA and DOE(s).

Chicago, Il, Us

Lead Project Engineer for WaterSaver Faucet Company. Traveled internationally to support customer issues. Developed and built the company's first Water Tempering System (portable warm water safety station). Authored new standards for quality control, internal validation testing, and document control. Evaluated and implemented the first 3D CAD system for the company (SolidWorks). • Certified lead auditor for ISO 9001 implementation• Authored Operations and Maintenance manual for company's first "Water Tempering System"• Experienced with plastic injection molding, brass extrusions, brass forgings, sand castings and stainless investment castings

Promoted to Product Engineer after interning as a Test Engineer while earning my degree. • Designed natural and propane gas valves, regulators, and manifolds using Pro-E 3D design software.• Designed products with aluminum extrusions, die castings, die cut and molded diaphragms, and screw machined parts.• International experience in Vancouver BC. Resolved pressure decay testing confusion with onsite demonstrations.• Extensive laboratory experience, familiar with various ANSI, CSA, and UL standards.• Performed reliability testing on various controls per company and/or ANSI requirements.

Extensive laboratory experience, familiar with various ANSI, CSA, and UL standard. Performed reliability testing on various gas controls per company and / or ANSI requirements

Bs, Aeronautical & Astronautical Engineering

Mba

Project Management

General Engineering