Stephen Masters Email & Phone Number

Detroit, MI, US

Maumee, Ohio, US

• Developing and implementing advanced quality standards, specifications, and processes to deliver our customers best in class quality and performance for electrified products

Maumee, Ohio, US

Maumee, Ohio, US

• Developing and executing an advanced quality strategy for electrification to ensure internal and external customer satisfaction
• Ensuring adherence to customer quality requirements throughout development, launch, and production processes and phases
• Driving internal quality management system principles, best practices, training, and adherence cross-functionally
• Launching electrified vehicle integration services for original equipment manufacturers (OEM) and aftermarket customers
• Leading quality assurance activities at internal production facilities to ensure proper controls are implemented for incoming, in-process, and outgoing inspections to ensure vehicles or components meets safety.
• Creating quality system, documentation, and traceability requirements for vehicle integration, and sub-assembly processes

Maumee, Ohio, US

• Assumed emergency quality manager role due to key personnel departures at one of Dana’s largest commercial vehicle plants
• Responsible for hiring and onboarding new quality manager and engineers, while managing existing engineers and inspectors
• Managed “Voice of the Customer” actions, driving part per million (PPM) and incidents per million (IPM) metrics from 49 PPM / 38 IPM in 2018 to 22 PPM / 16 IPM in 2019.
• Directed “Fast Response” interim and permanent corrective actions at the plant, regarding quality and warranty complaints
• Led delivery, warranty, and quality improvements necessary for removal from largest customer’s poor performing supplier list
• Prepared, managed, and led activities necessary to exceed customer expectations for leadership visits and audits

Maumee, Ohio, US

• Responsible for internal and external quality performance of seven component production and aftermarket plants, globally
• Established an improved reporting structure for customer issues in order to develop a true baseline performance, and set goals
• Developed detailed reporting tools to understand customer complaint status (open/closed), trends, repeat concerns, and costs
• Drove quality improvements through deployment of key quality tools (Paynter charts, Pareto analysis, 8D, and read across)
• Identified and led cross-functional discussions to resolve and close commercial, engineering, quality, and capacity concerns
• Trained internal and external teams on requirements and expectations for corporate and Auto Industry Action Group (AIAG) standards and processes

Dearborn, Michigan, US

• Launched new programs using advanced part quality planning (APQP) processes that met all PPAP requirements
• Managed programs that ensured on-time delivery and quality of new safety critical (inverted delta) parking system components
• Led field service action root cause problem solving, critical component resupply plan, and prevent recurrence actions
• Developed and integrated new supplier sites into existing supply base to alleviate production constraints on key programs
• Delivered critical engineering analysis on supplier quality and production performance to drive timely sourcing actions
• Analyzed operating efficiencies, cycle times, and production volumes against demand to create forecasts and evaluate risks

Dearborn, Michigan, US

• Provided on-site engineering support for a distressed die-cast supplier affecting Ford Motor Company vehicle plant production
• Developed and implemented a mold thermal audit process to improve supplier process control inputs and part quality
• Investigated, managed, and increased capacity on key supplier constraints to improve throughput and prevent shortages
• Executed a design of experiment to determine significance of casting parameters upon safety critical characteristics
• Managed a team of data collectors to implement visual factory feedback loops for how process and tooling was performing
• Created and managed a daily report detailing mold defects which was used to make data-driven decisions on tooling changes

Dearborn, Michigan, US

• Managed and facilitated resolution of issues regarding supplier-process quality concerns and emerging warranty issues
• Supported initial containment actions, root cause analysis, and permanent corrective action identification for quality events
• Identified and deployed prevent recurrence actions and lessons learned across specific commodities and supplier sites
• Led efforts to systemically improve Quality Operating Systems of poor performing suppliers through a “Focus Supplier Process”
• Developed and deployed a “Safe Exit” strategy to critical suppliers to ensure contractual requirements of an outgoing product
• Supported critical launch issues and supplier resourcing efforts due to quality issues or production capacity constraints

Dearborn, Michigan, US

• Successfully launched the 3.5/3.7L V6 engines that went into the all-new 2015 Mustang, F-150, and Transit vehicles
• Identified priority suppliers and evaluated risks for future programs due to site readiness, technology issues, or timing concerns
• Managed supplier completion of advanced part quality planning (APQP) deliverables aligned to key program milestones
• Supported current and future engine program launches and upgrades through onsite and remote problem resolution
• Collaborated with suppler site engineering teams to resolve supplier quality launch issues in a timely manner
• Minimized supply chain disruptions and lost production regarding capacity constraints and program volume uplifts

Dearborn, Michigan, US

• Supported supplier operations regarding quality issues and capacity uplifts through on-site problem resolution
• Interfaced and communicated cross-functionally with manufacturing, product development, purchasing and logistics personnel
• Attained Six Sigma Green Belt certification in project concerning international supplier and emerging warranty issues
• Led efforts to continuously improve supplier manufacturing quality and capability through deployment of quality operating system techniques

Irving, Texas, US

• Under the Hydraulic Development division, worked within various test cells validating accumulators, valves, pumps, and actuators.
• Performed performance, endurance, and sound testing meeting internal Caterpillar client demands.
• Provided key analytical skills using Caterpillar’s in-house software, which allowed for compilation of customer results and provided recommendations for product implementations or replacements.
• Completed core curriculum classes within Cat Production Systems in areas regarding Leadership, Manufacturing, and Operations.

• Designed, developed, and characterized a medical device prototype used to manufacture wound dressings.
• Working closely with four undergraduate interns, successfully created a working prototype on-schedule and within budget constraints.
• Prototype abided by all F.D.A. regulations and had desired thermal and mechanical properties.

• Gained experience in computer numerical control (CNC) machine operation while working for a world-class manufacturer of OEM Caterpillar Inc. Tier 4 engine products.
• Performed quality process audits, decay pressure tests, and inspections according to quality control standards of TS-16949/ISO 9001.
• While there, was interviewed by The Wall Street Journal.

• Gained experience while conducting inventory control such as material handling, logistical support, and parts distribution.
• Gained computer experience in Microsoft Office, and Triad (Inventory Control Portal).
• Assisted in identifying and troubleshooting management, logistical, and inventory problems.

Mba, Operations, Finance

Bs, Mechanical Engineering