Susan Whitehead Email & Phone Number

Greenville, South Carolina Area

• Assists client companies through SCMEP’s Competitive Assessment methodology to determine activities to positively impact profitability
• Instructs client companies in lean and quality tools such as Value Stream Mapping for manufacturing and support processes, 5S- Workplace Organization, Problem Solving (DMAIC, 8D, A3), Total Productive Maintenance.
• Leads client Kaizen events implementing 5S- Workplace Organization, Value Stream Mapping, Visual Management, Lean Office, and Problem Solving tools
• Serves as adjunct instructor for the South Carolina technical colleges for lean classes
• Achieves typical ROI for client investment of $24 to $1

Blythewood, South Carolina

• Responsible for manufacturing lines producing amplifiers for domestic, European, and Japanese automotive customers (including GM, DaimlerChrysler, Audi, Nissan) in a TS16949 facility
• Key member of cross functional team achieving quality, cost and delivery goals - reduced PPM 65%, increased yields 19% and increased production rates 37% within 8 months
• Leads team in continuous improvement including use of Six Sigma tools (Statistical Process Control, Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) and Lean techniques (Value Stream Mapping)
• Develops business intelligence reports (using Business Objects) enabling timely response and analysis of test and rework data
• Facilitates root cause investigations, development and implementation of corrective and preventative action plans using tools such as 8D reports, 5 Whys, and Drill Deep/Drill Wide

Blythewood, South Carolina

• Supervised technicians performing process and product audits and analysis of customer returns
• Reduced PPM by 62% utilizing DFM, lean (value stream mapping) and APQP tools as lead Quality Engineer on team redesigning flagship product and developing automated production line
• Received Bose Engineering Award as part of a team moving two transducer production lines to a Bose facility in Mexico while meeting quality and delivery goals
• Developed and taught statistical process control curriculum for operators and supervisors
• QS9000 internal auditor

Sumter, South Carolina Area

• Led a team of Quality Engineers, technicians and inspectors in supporting manufacturing to meet customers’ quality system (QS9000) and product requirements
• Key technical support for problem resolution and continuous improvement of products, processes and systems
• Primary customer contact regarding quality issues and corrective action plans
• Reduced appraisal costs 40% by minimizing redundant product inspections and focusing on prevention including workstation, process and control plan audits

Fayetteville, North Carolina Area

• Supervised personnel evaluating purchased product, internal processes, and finished product
• Reduced appraisal cost 35% by developing standards and training inspectors
• Developed a quality organization to support start-up at a new facility
• Recruited and trained auditors and technicians

Greer, South Carolina

• Formally AlliedSignal Engines
• Implemented manufacturing and quality planning for new and existing products based on customers’ technical requirements
• Developed process flow, work instructions and tooling in conjunction with manufacturing engineering to ensure compliance to customer requirements and drive continuous improvement
• Audited to ISO 9002 requirements and assisted in the development and implementation of corrective action
• Improved suppliers’ processes through review of APQP documents and on-site visits to ensure appropriate quality planning and conformance to technical and system requirements
• Supervised up to twenty-nine associates performing inspections at the receiving, in-process and final levels