Engineer Project Manager

CHARLES L. COMBS JR.

***** ******* **** 248-***-****

Holly, Michigan 48442 abm4gq@r.postjobfree.com

Linkedin.com/in/Chuckcombs50

CAREER SUMMARY

Organized, dynamic project manager with extensive engineering and

leadership experience in vehicle development for interior and body in

white. Experienced in Global release Coordination, Design management,

Supplier leadership, Cost reduction management, Employee suggestion

dissemination, Resident engineering and Test engineering. Well-developed

problem resolution skills that support the component and system development

process with an excellent understanding of CAD designs, DFMEA tools,

Shainin and DFSS. Recognized as an effective decision maker in a fast-paced

environment with a reputation for finding innovative solutions to complex

problems. Acclaimed as MVP during a launch.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION, Warren, MI

Nov 1978 Oct 2009

Senior Lead Global Release Engineer

May 2008 - Oct 2009

Managed design, materials, validation, and performance requirements, for

150 acoustic, trunk trim and floor trim parts and coordinated prototype

and production builds used in 12 vehicles in Korea, China and North

America and oversaw 30 part suppliers.

. Directed 6 UG Designers locally and simultaneously supervised design

support teams in India and Brazil for the above-mentioned components.

. Authored the Statement of Requirements and Led technical reviews that

supported purchasing, and augmented their ability to select the best

suppliers. Taught and mentored international suppliers to improve

their ability to understand and bid on designated parts.

. Coordinated the manufacture of parts from multiple suppliers by

communicating part requirements for three regions using detailed

illustrated spreadsheets.

. Hosted weekly global meetings. Identified issues, nurtured new

suppliers, delegated responsibilities, and administered changes to the

program.

Global Sub-System Leadership Team Chairman

Sept 2005- April 2008

Led a team of subject matter experts and suppliers and negotiated a

coordinated, cost effective long-term strategy for carpet, acoustics and

storage areas for seven global markets.

. Strategized an Organized Simplified design process for carpeting, and

instituted a policy reducing carpet options from 128 styles to Six.

. Invented an innovative convenience net and submitted for patent, which

mediated a long-standing design issue between German and North

American design studios. This earned praise from many peers as an out

of the box thinker.

. Global Technical Integration Expert responsible for the development,

implementation, and approval, of Best Practices. Headed Peer Review

meetings to Guide and coach new engineers and to ensure Best Practice

adherence. Resource to identify and rectify assembly issues.

. Organized "Lunch and Learn" Presentations. These where lectures given

to train new engineers which conceptualized the background details of

carpet and acoustic lean manufacturing.

. Collaborated with the Hybrid team to create a safety system for the

high voltage battery to meet FMVSS safety standards for rear end

collisions.

. Coordinated efforts to allow warranty replacement of the 200lb 300-

volt Hybrid Battery without the need to remove the rear trim panels.

Engineering Group Manager

Dec 2004 - Sept 2005

Spearheaded a team of eight engineers responsible for acoustics and

carpets for trucks. This position was eliminated when Truck and Bus was

merged with passenger cars.

Cost Reduction Manager

Feb 2003- Nov 2004

Responsible for the coordination and development of cost savings

suggestions from Internal sources, supplier cost seminars and from

assembly plant "Cost walk" Reviews. Created a "Value Chain" diagram with

Cost drivers for interior components, with such great success that was

subsequently used for an Interdepartmental Model.

. Value chain Diagram forecasted Carpet costs to Purchasing, Design,

and Engineering

. Saved $14 million in cost reductions and cost avoidance designs.

. Reduced $32M in interior components by implementing supplier

suggestions and eliminating options that has little importance to

the customer.

Design Release Engineer Interior

Jan 2000-Jan 2003

Responsible for Instrument Panels, floor treatments, overhead consoles

and acoustic insulators for hoods and dashes for multiple vehicle

launches.

. Resolved key launch issues for multiple parts before they became

production problems and received MVP Award from the vehicle launch

team for the contribution.

. Selected for special assignment as Resident Engineer Baltimore

assembly to identify root causes and resolve high incidence interior

defects, resulting in improved Quality and customer satisfaction and

individual recognition as Best on Team.

Design Release Engineer Body in White Wentzville Asm

Nov 1996-Jan 2000

Full size Van

. Led a task force that solved a critical initial launch Production Stop

Order buckle problem by isolating the root cause and reworking side-

panel dies. Received a special recognition award from the assembly

plant for finding the solution.

. Eliminated $2M of inefficient temporary launch provisions by

investigating, improved redesigns of production parts.

Resident Release Engineer, Flint Assembly

May 1993- Oct 1996

Release engineer for body shop, door systems and body-in-white issues.

. Solved a Body sheet metal buckle issue on the Extended G Van which

later resulted in my appointment to lead the 600 Van launch team task

force

. Launched an instrument panel insulator that eliminated the need for

windshield blackout paint saving $1.5M annually.

Design Release Engineer Structure

May1989- May 1993

Engineering project manager for inflatable restraints, steering columns,

steering wheels, and column support hardware. Managed design, validation

and coordination for the first van airbag. Led releases for body side

moldings, front grille treatments and exterior ornamentation for van

program.

Test Engineer Product Validation MPG

Nov 1985-May 1989

Validated the 400-truck program for all product assurance testing

requiring a full vehicle, scheduling and coordination of tests between

different proving grounds. Supervised the testing of a $10M prototype

truck vehicle fleet.

Test Engineer, Milford Proving Grounds

Jun 1983- Oct 1985

Durability and corrosion Vehicle durability trucks and cars

Test Engineer, Milford Proving Grounds Transmissions

Mar 1981- May 1983

Responsible for vehicle driveline component durability testing light

trucks and high performance cars

Facility Engineer Milford Proving Grounds, Auto Emissions Chevrolet

Nov 1978-Feb 1981

Designed and coordinated installation of test equipment purchased from

Richmond Instruments for three dynamometer cells for emission testing.

Coordinated the installation of console instrumentation and computer

controls.

EDUCATION / CERTIFICATIONS

BS, Business Management, Cleary University, Howell, MI

1992

AS, Business Management, Macomb County Community College

1978

AS, Electrical Technology Macomb County Community College

1972

Journeyman Certificate, Shainin Red X

1996

Certificate, Design for Six Sigma Green Belt, Black belt trained no

completion cert. 2007

Contact this candidate