Quality Assurance Manager

ROBERT G. RIES

**** ******** ****

Goshen, IN *6526

574-***-**** (cell)

Email: *******@****.***

Professional Qualifications: A broad-based manager with comprehensive multi-

plant/industry experience in quality assurance, engineering, and

operations.

( Adept at understanding and implementing quality concepts from the

total process overview to the analysis of complex information from

multiple sources.

( Proven track record in identifying the nature of problems,

establishing and directing quality departments, setting priorities and

goals, and achieving exceptional results.

( Demonstrated skills at melding low cost production processes with

high quality product and excellent customer satisfaction.

QUALITY ASSURANCE

Directed quality and reliability departments across corporate divisions

and multiple plant locations supervising quality managers, quality

engineers, compliance managers, and analysts. Demonstrated skills at

establishing and managing departments for quality assurance and process

improvement in start-up and reorganization.

Created and administrated supplier certification, audit, and partnership

programs setting standards and corrective action procedures to ensure

certified product use with full vendor liability and warranty of products

and materials. Over $2,000,000 in costs were saved by this program.

Spearheaded problem resolution techniques to drive product improvements

and manufacturing changes from warranty costs, surveys, and customer

feedback. Instituted quality action procedures to prevent defects from

reaching the market that result in expensive warranty, recall, or

liability costs. The program provided a cost saving of over $3,500,000.

Incorporated over 450 of the highest quality, team oriented quality

standards, SPC procedures, and process improvements in high value

recreational vehicle product lines in multi-plant manufacturing

facilities. Provided training programs for line workers and staff in

manufacturing procedures and quality methods such as SPC, ISO, and QVM.

Established direct contact with customers and dealers to integrate

quality standards, vendor product requirements, and product improvements

from the customer viewpoint. Partnered with vendors to reduce warranty

liability costs estimating savings of $1-$2 million.

Executed quality control analysis and implementation of SPC at a

specialty fabrication plant for close tolerance aluminum and steel parts

and other specialty products manufacture.

Insured compliance with industry and government regulatory and codes and

standards. Implemented procedures and process controls toward a ISO

program achieving one of the first certifications in the Ford QVM/Q1

quality program, reducing defects by 66%, and achieving the honor of

being rated the #1 manufacturer by the industry dealers.

Implemented and maintained total quality programs including supplier

development, customer response, inspections, quality procedures, internal

audit programs, certification and surveillance audits, and quality

systems for Tier 1/Tier 2 automotive suppliers and automotive related

industries including PPAP, FEMA, APQP, and SPC programs.

Robert G. Ries Page 2

ENGINEERING/OPERATIONS

Forecasted and managed operating budgets for domestic and foreign

manufacturing operations including manpower, capital, utilities,

maintenance, materials, facilities, and departmental allocations.

Directed a project to solve a major quality problem that would have

prevented operation of a new $25 million plant already in the

construction stage; then provided quality, process data, and economic

justification for major process changes in the new plant.

Supervised a process engineering group which evaluated new process

concepts and made implementation recommendation based on economic and

marketing forecasts. Increased process efficiency and productivity and

eliminated a major quality problem in a high volume plant. Transformed a

major waste disposal problem into a profitable product ($150,000

savings).

WORK HISTORY:

Dutchmen Manufacturing, Inc., Goshen, IN Director of Quality

Belvedere Div. of Excel Industries, Inc., Elkhart, IN Quality Assurance

Manager

Flexible Foam Products, Inc; Elkhart, IN Quality Systems Manager

Tiara Motorcoach Inc; Elkhart, IN Manufacturing Engineer

Holiday Rambler LLC, Wakarusa, Indiana Quality/Reliability Manager

Bayer, Inc. Process Engineering Supervisor

Education:

Indiana University at South Bend (Quality Mgmt. certification program)

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (Terre Haute, Indiana) M.S.,

Engineering

Case-Western Reserve University (Cleveland, Ohio) B.S., Engineering

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