General Manager
Des Moines, Ia, Us
DeeZee International Automobile Components (Weihai) Ltd. Dee Zee Inc. is a $300M privately held, Iowa-based Tier 1 automotive supplier serving 14 global OEMs. Primary products include pickup truck and SUV side steps, SUV roof rails, pickup truck tool boxes and other exterior accessories. P&L ownership of Dee Zee’s first-ever international operation, reporting to CEO and VP of Sales. Highly involved in management of customer relationships. Led new business quoting activity. Worked with customers and suppliers in eight countries. Direct management of Ops, Finance and HR; dotted-line responsibility for sales. • Led from pre-SOP to peak of $12M revenue run-rate and 40 employees• Awarded nine Tier 1 projects from three global OEMs for China, Europe, U.S., and Thailand markets.• Achieved TS16949 certification for the operation on first external audit try, and passed Jaguar Land Rover, Ford China and Shanghai General Motors new supplier audits. Oversaw relevant APQP steps including PPAP for new programs. • Planned and managed renovation of 60,000sf Phase 2 factory building. Successfully managed 2018 transition to outsourced manufacturing model, including selecting strategic suppliers, winding down the manufacturing operation, retaining key staff, and coordinating the transition with customers.• Continued to win new business, with awarded programs totaling $20M in annual revenue at peak in 2023.• Successfully launched Ford Ranger sidestep program in only five months (normally two years) as a new and emergency second supplier to Ford Asia Pacific, generating significant goodwill with the customer and leading to awarding of a follow-on $10M global program.• Led early stages of starting up Dee Zee’s second international operation, in Thailand.• Proactively planned for leadership transition with CEO and executive team, then recruited, hired, and on-boarded my successor prior to repatriating to the U.S.
