Michael Carey Email & Phone Number

United States

Knoxville, Tennessee, United States

Promoted by Regional COO to spearhead digital transformation initiatives in North American Operations. Developed three-phase “Crawl-Walk-Run" strategic plan to address and now lead global teams to execute programs closing gaps in digital literacy, process continuity, technical debt, and regulatory compliance.- Led employee needs survey to initiate and peer trainers to facilitate 4-module data literacy program for 130+ staff. To date, achieved 67% skills increase in Power BI, KPIs, data-driven insights, and consumer journeys. Adopted as model for global implementation.- Operationalized Home Connect (App) pairing program via 99% firmware fix and restructure of global QR Code label funding, quality measures and production. Doubled pairing rate in 1 year.- Partnered with Ops Manager and Startup to deploy 120+ cameras for employee-based image crowdsourcing, overcoming HR/legal challenges and accelerating global AI initiatives.- Secured Regional Board endorsement in 2022 for Digital Service Working Group efforts as Strategic Priority and led: clearing of 2-year software backlog, continuous improvement via technician panel, data value stream mapping to identify gaps and prioritize use cases, quality ROI analysis, and benchmarking to rationalize new App "Service" roadmap.- Coordinated with US Development Head to accelerate competency development, systems engineering, department restructuring, and other transformational efforts to enhance speed-to-market and consumer-centric product delivery.- Influenced global innovation by representing US on Global Innovation Steering Team and initiated global tradeshow exchange network for competitive monitoring and technology scouting.- Established Digital Regulatory Compliance team, providing strategic oversight on emerging digital regulatory issues

Knoxville, Tennessee Area

Appointed as Innovation/Pre-Project Manager for an international team of 20+ developers to advance the Global Luxury Refrigeration Platform and Innovation Portfolio. Collaborated with luxury global brand and design teams on market research and analysis to drive bold, consumer-driven technical innovations and market strategies.- Guided formation of the Global Innovation Group for Luxury Refrigeration, honing focus on Thermador & Gaggenau product innovation and brand requirements while optimizing cost and feature prioritization.KEY ACCOMPLISHMENT:- As Technical Product Manager, led the pitch, “lean startup” team culture, and BSH Global Innovation Pre-Project for the 2024 Next gen Built-In Refrigeration Portfolio for Thermador and Gaggenau Brands to deliver numerous consumer-driven architecture (e.g., 42/48 inch Built-in French Door Refrigerators), luxury feature, and digital innovations.OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS:- Led ethnographic research to inform next-gen Luxury Built-In Refrigeration opportunities, steering course for global platform project and securing Executive Committee approval to fast-track pre-project kickoff.- Fostered agile, “lean startup” team culture to deliver platform concept to “ready to transfer” prototype in 1 year along with numerous innovations: interior space, efficiency, flexible cooling drawers, “entertaining” ice, and connected UX.- Streamlined product features, slashing platform variants by 63%, harmonizing "design to value" and "design to cost."- Pioneered digital best practices to achieve a 75% reduction in digital use case complexity and optimized hardware cost.- Synchronized three-phase product platform and digital feature roadmaps among global stakeholders, ensuring seamless transition and project kickoff of the 2024 Next gen Bottom Freezer Refrigeration Portfolio and other built-in refrigeration variants for Thermador and Gaggenau Brands.

Greater Chicago Area

Teamed with Global Innovation Vice Presidents and Directors to adopt ITW Global Innovation Framework in seven diverse industrial product segments. - Delivered impactful project team workshops for decentralized ITW Businesses to facilitate “outcome-based” innovation methods and project deliverables (e.g., Customer Interviewing, Value Proposition, Go-to-Market Strategy) resulting in marked organic growth aligned with 80/20 business strategy. Achieved 4.5/5 average rating. - Restructured training materials and self-service web resources applying design-thinking and user experience (UX) design resulting in significant improvements in program efficiency and execution (110% over plan).- Identified new program opportunities, and provided program forecasting, scheduling, continuous improvement, and reporting, in addition to coordinating annual Global Innovation Summit.

Greater Chicago Area

Led collaboration with 6 Business Unit Vice Presidents and functional leadership to align strategic priorities, establish innovation domains and structure business activities (e.g., 5 Year Product-Technology Roadmaps, M&A and Partnerships, Sourcing Strategies) leveraging “Playing to Win” Business Strategy principals and methods.KEY ACCOMPLISHMENT:- As Principal Strategist, facilitated strategic planning, roadmap creation, ideation, visualizations and storytelling with Chamberlain business unit leadership to advanced business cases and gain board startup funding that ultimately extended the MyQ Connectivity ecosystem via two new business ventures: Chamberlain Automotive Connectivity and Liftmaster Business Solutions.OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS:- Guided Advanced Engineering team to establish technology roadmaps identifying key emerging & growth technologies vital to implementation of product, sourcing, and engineering roadmaps.- Continually supported 6 Business Units with ethnographic & consumer/customer research via top firms, guiding trends analysis, product & service innovation workshops, visualizations, and storytelling to yield new market segmentation, domains, and white space opportunities.- Instituted Open Innovation Program incorporating partnerships with core suppliers and sponsorship of the Illinois Institute of Technology IPRO Program resulting in technological advances and intellectual property feeding the innovation pipeline.- Initiated Life Cycle Analysis program and corporate benchmarking foundational to CEO chartered Sustainability Team.

Benton Harbor, Michigan Area

KEY ACCOMPLISHMENT:- As Global Principal, spearheaded Whirlpool's first global design language for laundry in concert with 4 regional GMs and design/development teams to deliver 2 new platforms aimed at global brand design equity, UX harmonization, cost/complexity reduction, and architecture synergies. Resulted in 2017 CES Innovation & 2018 iF Awards.OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS:- Directed assigned Advanced Studio staff and collaborated with 6 regional design teams to realize concept visions and functional aesthetic prototypes fueling design and platform innovation.- Authored Global Consumer Design tollgate process connecting design visions with Advanced Development programs to fuel collaboration, creativity, and concept feasibility required to pass development “Ready to Transfer” milestone.

Benton Harbor, Michigan Area

- Originated numerous strategic design initiatives proving out desirability, viability & feasibility to drive category via new platforms & innovations (e.g., touch cap electronics, low cost-high value aesthetics, best in class usability).- As design component of CEO sponsored Global Cost Leadership Team (post 2008 crash) collaborated to develop cost optimization strategies (e.g., should cost, design for value, etc.) helping to return the corporation to profitability.- Pioneered structured workshop, Excel tools, KPI metrics and dashboard to optimize consumer value over cost equation with demonstrable results on key projects.

Benton Harbor, Michigan Area

KEY ACCOMPLISHMENT:As Design Team Leader, led transformational Kenmore laundry design, UX, and color strategy with Sears Buyers for 6 years, boosting Whirlpool market share by 8% and earning $1B annually. Pioneered the HE4t Front Load Color Series, driving a new home fashion trend and realizing $34M in profits, $110M in additional sales, and $17M+ in media exposure.

Benton Harbor, Michigan Area

- Played pivotal role in the translation, planning, documentation & implementation of the foundational Whirlpool VBL and graphics standards.- Led design/planning process to successfully launch the 2001-2004 Whirlpool VBL dishwasher lines with consumer relevance to sustain production through today (currently sold as IKEA OEM line).- Led VBL creation and design development for Cielo Brand bath line (currently sold as Mirabelle by Ferguson).- Led a project with Ziba Design leveraging an innovative consumer insights process to develop a uniquely positioned line of bathroom suites for the Whirlpool “Cielo” Brand.- Led multiple innovation projects, including the Briva In-Sink Dishwasher winning a 2003 IDEA Bronze Award.- Won the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Award as contributor to Global Consumer Design in 2002.

The State Of Michigan

- Actively participated in the IDSA Governance Restructure in 2002 and the creation of legislative processes to streamline council meetings and generate formal proposals for board approval.- Organized engaging events, created a cohesive chapter branding strategy & established IDSAMichigan.Com in collaboration with IDSA.Org and Coroflot.Com (Core77).- Increased chapter membership by 16% and grew the available chapter funds by over 50% in the first year.

Racine, Wisconsin

Responsible for the invention, visualization and product development of new products and concepts by applying advanced materials & processes, consumer insights and multiple innovation methods.

Kokomo, Indiana

Responsible for the integration of customer requirements into the user interface/interaction design of automotive electronics, advanced modular cockpits & show properties for global automotive brands such as: GM, Toyota, BMW, Mercedes/ Smart and Delphi.

Bachelor’S Degree, Industrial And Product Design, Magna Cum Laude

Excellence in the Arts Award, College of the Arts, The Ohio State University Phi Kappa Phi Honors Award

Education record

Miscellaneous classes to complete my degree at Ohio State while interning at Delco Electronics in Kokomo, IN.

High School Diploma, College/University Preparatory And Advanced High School/Secondary Diploma Program, Magna Cum Laude

Activities and Societies: College Preparatory/ National Honor Society President/ Cycling Club