Experience

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  Amway

  • United States
  • Manufacturing
  • 700 & Above Employee

  • R&D Manager - Process & Reliability

    • Feb 2016 - Present

    I manage a team of engineers located in MI and Singapore who are responsible to take an existing idea and turn it into a viable production process. Our products focus on small appliances such as air and water treatment systems. Tasks include: a) identifying manufacturing processes, b) source & approve suppliers, then c) sustain performance for the product’s lifetime. With over 200 global suppliers and 3 assembly locations, we have strategically stationed the team at the world headquarters in Michigan. I have an extra support team in Singapore. We maintain capability within the supplier business and support the manufacturing sites located in China, USA, and SE Asia.

  • Enterprise Excellence Manager

    • Jan 2010 - Feb 2016

    This position was responsible for leading global continuous improvement efforts from a corporate perspective with a special focus on the technical functions. Areas I supported include R&D, Global Engineering, Procurement, Supply Chain, Logistics, Planning, Value Chain Management, and Project Management. Our goal is to improve Right First Time, reduce design lead time, increase ideation generation, become quicker to market, reduce product launch ramp-up times, lead 3P plant designs, and etc.For the past 5 years, the design team has delivered $8MM to $12MM each year in opportunity savings.

• 

  Amway Corp.

  • Master Black Belt

    • Mar 2007 - Jan 2011

    Similar role as the BB position but even broader scope.Projects included affiliate analysis & project launches in Japan and Europe. This position generates $1MM annualized savings in addition to the large scale project initiatives.

• 

  Amway Corp

  • Corporate Black Belt

    • Dec 2004 - Mar 2007

    Primary responsibility was to implement corporate initiatives within ABG by following the DMAIC model. Position deals with all levels of the organization implementing change throughout the supply chain. The training involves a holistic approach, including interpersonal skills, leadership skills, training skills, change management skills, and technical skills. In order to certify, the BB must prove competency with both technical and practical skills through real application in the corporation. The program was designed to develop future corporate leaders. This position generated $450k annualized hard savings.

• 

  Access Business Group

  • Greater Grand Rapids, Michigan Area

  • Sr. Mechanical Engineer

    • Oct 2003 - Dec 2004
    • Greater Grand Rapids, Michigan Area

• 

  Cygnus Medical Device

  • Greater Grand Rapids, Michigan Area

  • Manufacturing Plant Manager

    • Nov 2000 - Oct 2003
    • Greater Grand Rapids, Michigan Area

    Reported to V.P. of Operations in California. Primarily responsible for the oversight of the manufacturing process, the quality system, the production equipment, the facility, and staffing issues at a key supplier. Directed resolution of problems with secondary suppliers. Managed up to 17 engineers while maintaining a Class III electronic medical device production facility (converting technology). Tasks included: determining overall goals, evaluating production performance, directing engineering efforts, establishing supplier capabilities, appraising procedural effectiveness, and maintaining communications with headquarters in California.