Michael Fergestad

** *. ****** ***. 708-***-****

La Grange, IL 60525 acqwgu@r.postjobfree.com

PROFILE

Energetic and respected product development, operations and business executive with natural leadership skills and a strong customer focus desiring a leadership position in product development, or operations. Demonstrated talent of building highly effective teams and developing individuals in varied and challenging environments. Expertise includes product development, engineering and program management, quality improvement, business development and operations including P/L, developing budgets and implementing efficiencies in large complex manufacturing facilities. Highly successful in new assignments with limited prior experience and the requirement to learn on the fly.

Recently completed an expatriate assignment in South America where I have developed a global mindset and the capability of leading and integrating multi-site global organizations and processes to improve effectiveness and alignment to achieve results.

NOTABLE CONTRIBUTIONS

Lead the charter, development and launch of new Propane Powered Class C School Bus as both Program Manager and Chief Engineer. Job1 is scheduled for August of 2015.

Lead the start up of the South America Product Development Team and integration with Global Truck and Bus Product Platforms in Chicago, Illinois.

Planned, defined and launched Medium and Heavy Duty On-Highway Truck Programs in Brazil

Lead the EPA2007 Medium Duty I6 Engine Launch and Plant Quality Improvement Roadmap

Lead the turnaround of the Melrose Park Plant Steel Machining Business Team

Developed the Engine Strategy and Business Case for the Nav/Cat Global Truck JV

Designed, achieved approval and implemented the Melrose Park Material Handling Strategy

CORE COMPETENCIES

new product development customer relationship management program management

quality improvement cost management cross functional teams

continuous improvement financial management business development

employee development product portfolio management Portuguese

organizational development manufacturing management quality management

performance turnaround team building global expansion engineering

EDUCATION

M.B.A. Change Management, DePaul University, Chicago, IL

B.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

NAVISTAR, INC., USA and Brazil 1991-Present

Vehicle Platform Chief Engineer ( USA )

Accountable for all School and Commercial Bus Product for North America.

Drive and manage continuous improvement of product balancing cost, quality & performance

Provide technical oversight and input to product programs for assigned products

Program Manager for new Class C School Bus with Propane Engine and Fuel System

Ensure vehicle component to architecture integration

Provide leadership in the use of robust problem solving methods / engineering tools

Own product cost and ensure achievement of Product Quality, Cost and Delivery Targets.

Manager, Planning and Program Management ( Brazil )

Accountable for Program Management for all vehicle programs in South America, Engineering Finance (Vehicles and Engines) and Product Portfolio Management. Serve as liaison to both North American Global Truck and Bus Platforms and the Engine Group.

Program managed new vehicle programs from Charter thru design, validation pre-launch and launch phases ensuring achievement of Quality, Cost and Delivery Targets.

Build and improve organizational and employee development of S.A. Vehicle Engineering.

Improve integration, communication and alignment between S.A. and N.A. teams

Develop product development budget and track actuals to achieve planned targets.

Manager, Business Development ( USA )

Accountable for the sales and initial program management of North American Engine Platforms to be sold to Global Truck, Global Bus and other OEM customers.

Sought, investigated and quoted opportunities to sell diesel engines to internal and external customers including Caterpillar, Perkins, Daewoo and Nav/Cat Global Truck JV.

Developed annual global engine cycle plan and monthly sales volume forecasts.

Served as single Engine representative to the Nav/Cat Global Truck JV.

Investigated strategic opportunities to collaborate with other large OEMs to achieve synergies including Perkins, MWM and Caterpillar (Transmissions, Petroleum, etc)

Charter global engine programs and drive to program approval for turnover to Program Management Office for implementation.

Manager, Melrose Park Engine Plant Quality ( USA )

Accountable for the overall quality performance of the Melrose Park Plant and the effectiveness of the plant’s quality operating system including product quality & warranty (3 months in service).

Lead organization of (3) Managers, (8) Quality Engineers and (34) Union Inspectors across three shifts to support the manufacture of high quality diesel engines.

Lead all quality and manufacturing related activities relative to launching a new EPA 2007 emissions certified Medium Duty Engine including driving design improvements.

Implemented TS16949 Standards and Improved product quality (PPM defective at our various OEM Truck Customer Plants) by 60% from 2004 to 2005 with the execution of my 2005 Melrose Park Quality Roadmap Plan.

Addressed all customer liaison activities, communication and corrective action response to all customer plants (Medium & Severe Service Truck, School Bus & other OEM Customers.

Manager, Steel Machining & Tool Grinding Operations ( USA )

Responsible for day to day operations and P/L performance to all business goals associated with Steel Machining and Tool Grinding Business Unit (Productivity, Operating Budgets, Capital Expenditures, Quality, Inventory, Safety, etc.

Lead organization of (5) Supervisors, (3) Manufacturing Engineers, (53) Union (UAW) Hourly workers across three shifts to manufacture steel crankshafts and camshafts.

Successfully worked as a team with all direct reports and supporting team members from quality, engineering, maintenance, HR and the union to address problems with safety, product quality, employee performance, machine utilization and resolve grievances.

Manager, Plant Engineering & Energy Management ( USA )

Lead organization of (6) Facilities Engineers, (14) Union Operating Engineers and (6) Construction Workers to design, plan and successfully implement wide ranging projects supporting the manufacture of Diesel Engines and maintenance/improvement of the facility including a 9 Megawatt Cogeneration Plant on site.

Responsible for development and execution of annual fiscal and 5 year capital plan including submittal of appropriations, purchase order requisitions and the justification thereof.

Responsible for energy management forecasting and tracking of energy related expenditures to the strategies and actual purchase of natural gas and electricity.

Engineer, Senior Manufacturing ( USA )

Responsible for the design, planning, coordination of required material, labor and financial resources for successful completion of large plant manufacturing engineering projects.

Engineer, Facilities ( USA )

Designed, planned and implemented wide ranging projects supporting the manufacture of Diesel Engines and maintenance/improvement of a plant built in 1940. Engineering support for new $30M Crankshaft & Camshaft Machining Line.

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