Quality Manager
Resume:
My name is Fred Cravens
I am a quality professional with experience in statistical processes, team building, SMED, ISO9001
helped 4 factory’s get certified on first attempt, also have a lean certificate and hands on experience in
TPS implementation, and automotive management systems.
Specific products I have worked with include heat transfer radiator and oil coolers, steel containers,
gauges and valves for the chemical industry, rubber safety equipment, electric motors, large product
fabrication assembly and test.
Sheet metal fabrications, small and heavy presses, progressive Dies, die setup and maintenance,
soldering, welding, CNC equipment, Metallurgical spectrometer use.
I have experience in both union and nonunion facilities.
Previous experience includes an understanding and responsibility to be compliant the following standards
Military Standards and audits,
DOT /UN manufacture and transportation of hazardous waste containers.
UL, CSA, and, ASME Boiler codes
I have traveled extensively in the US and to Europe.
Relocation: I want to stay within 50 miles of Muscatine, Ia.
The largest group I managed was two with sixteen reports two engineers, two clerical and the rest were
inspectors. I traveled between the plants regularly.
Fred Cravens
A turnaround story:
Had two facilities, neither was producing to capacity in either production or quality. A new General
Manager was appointed I was hired and given the task of implementing a quality system meeting
ISO9000 requirements.
The first step was sharing the companies vision and goals with the employees and how succeeding would
improve their lives.
The next step was to do process capability studies on the major pieces of equipment and workstations.
We implemented SPC and trained the operators to do the necessary measurements, charting, and to stop
the process and notify the team leader when the process went out of control. Part of the training was to
show the operator how to understand their processes.
Our first problem was getting incoming materials under control. We did an in depth process study, shared
our findings with the suppliers and began working as a team to improve both companies processes.
We had two major suppliers we worked together to develop problem solving teams with both suppliers.
Our team members were from our company's and each supplier. The teams represented several different
departments working together. The team consisted of Plant managers from all facilities and people from
accounting, production, and quality both managers and operators.
We made improvements in both processes, 20% improvement in our process capability. Product quality
improved because of variation reduction in our purchased material. Rework hours were almost eliminated
we were no longer finding material problems at different stages of the assembly process. Because of the
improvement and communications on time delivery to our customers was improved.
On time delivery improvements meant the employees could go home on time most days. Logistics
improvements were made by better scheduling our order and delivery needs. We were able give the
suppers more lead time the results of that reduced the level of on hand inventory required.
Internally we organized and trained teams to make required improvements and bring each process under
control. We worked on several SMED setup reduction projects. We made some very good improvements
more than one 75% reduction in setup time.
The products were built on continuous assembly lines so when on station quit they all did.
We also worked on Poke a Yoke projects, eliminating the chance of repeat mistakes.
By working with sales and our customers on similar process improvement teams we were able to improve
customer satisfaction. During this time, we were honored by Monsanto Chemical company, earning their
Partner Award three years in a row, Dow Chemical as Preferred Supplier, Union Carbide as Supplier of
the Year.
I was lucky enough to be a member of a great team working for a real leader.
I hope I have given you a good understanding of my capabilities. I want to work with another company
that gets it.
Best Regards,
Fred Cravens
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