Rick Barker Email and Phone Number

Lean Manufacturing Consulting with a focus on lean system conversions and quality system improvements. Currently working with FTE Performance Consulting as a Senior Advisor.

Led the Quality launch of GM’s new Mid-size truck, the Colorado and Canyon. Including the staffing of the Quality Launch and Issue Resolution Team, provided the coaching and leadership required to execute the Quality Launch Plan and integrate the new Mid-Size truck with an existing legacy product. Quality Gate keeper responsible to ensure the delivery of all quality imperatives contributing to the product being awarded Motor Trend Truck of the year.

Led the integration of GM manufacturing systems in a new automotive joint venture between GM and a Chinese Medium duty truck manufacture. First GM leader on site at the Hongta truck assembly center responsible for making immediate impact on the product quality while leading the implementation of lean manufacturing concepts across the factory.

Achieved the 2008 and 2010 JD Power best in class award for the Silverado and Sierra Pickup truck.Consumer Reports recommended buy.Best warranty performance for GM truck plants. Productivity gain of 30 percent within the Quality Group in 2008.Championed the Quality Process for the GMT 900 truck launch. Exceeded all Quality Metrics.

Body Shop Area Manager 2004 – 2005Manage $14 million budget.Leader for a team of 200 employees.Improved product standards, process controls, product verification, data feedback/feed forward and standardized work to improve Quality metrics by 30%.By improving the effectiveness of Small Teams, implementing 5 S and reducing overtime I was able to reduce costs by $1.6 million and improve productivity by 5%.General Assembly Area Manager 2003-2004 Managed budget of $39 million.Leader for a team of 400 employees.Developed and implemented standardized safety incident investigation process improving safety and recordable lost work day performance by 40%.Achieved 30% improvement in Quality metrics by focusing the organization on the immediate response to issues, effective problem solving and the discipline of standardized work.Realized $7 million in cost savings and improved productivity by 5% by effectively leading a through put improvement process, eliminating final process overtime and significantly reducing maintenance overtime.Improved the effectiveness of Small Teams by engaging the work force in continuous improvement efforts.

Led the quality system and processes. Specialized in the transformation of traditional quality systems into more effective lean systems.

Quality and Manufacturing Engineering Manager of a GM joint venture with a Tier 1 Assembly Integrator responsible for authoring and deploying the joint venture Quality Management System; Implemented the Quality Andon process; Staffed and led the Quality Group; Led the Continuous improvement process between the Plant, Suppliers and Product Engineering Groups; Managed the Manufacturing and Industrial engineering groups.