Quality Assurance Manager

Owen H. Taffe III, CEM

***** ****** ****** ** ********* Springs, MS 38848 662-***-**** ***********@*********.***

Successful, Customer-Focused Engineering Manager with Passion for Continuous

I mprovement

PROFILE:

P & L Experience at the strategic business unit (SBU, Division) and plant staff level.

Certified Engineering Manager (CEM) with a track record of reducing cycle time and increasing

profitability, while meeting or exceeding customer expectations.

Extensive experience in the development, management and auditing of ISO 9001 quality systems,

ISO/TS16949 automotive quality systems and ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory quality systems.

Experience and extensive training in Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing: Lean Enterprise

Certificate – Auburn University, Green Belt and Black Belt Certificates – Villanova University.

Extensive experience in B2B Customer Interaction: technical meetings, audits, sales initiatives and

product development activities.

Demonstrated ability to Direct Complex Projects from concept to fully operational status.

Extensive experience in Data Management and Statistical Analysis.

Extensive experience in destructive and non destructive Laboratory Testing and analysis.

Extensive experience and training in industrial Safety and Environmental regulations.

Organized, highly motivated and Detail Oriented Problem Solver.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

FUTURE TEK, INC. April 2009 Present

(Columbus, Mississippi)

Direct Sales Representative

Future Tek, Inc. designs and manufactures student trainers for Universities and Technical Colleges – PLC, motor controls, process

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controls, robotics, conveyors, pneumatics, hydraulics, renewable energy, electrical and mechanical.

Developing new sales territory; establishing client base, conducting market research, clarifying and documenting procurement

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procedures and requirements, obtaining vendor approvals, conducting sales presentations, product demonstrations and participating

in trade shows, establishing brand recognition in each segment of products and services.

Successfully established membership in the Gulf Coast Process Technology Alliance, which has exposed our organization to many

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new sales leads throughout the Gulf Coast Region.

WEYERHAEUSER Feb. 2006 – Jan. 2009

(Columbus Modified Fiber); Columbus, Mississippi.

Quality and Technical Services Manager / Customer Service Manager

• Provide leadership and direction in support of ISO 9001:2000, ISO 14001:2005 and Proctor and Gamble (QAKE) environmental

and quality systems.

• Responsibilities include: global contact for quality and technical issues, quality engineering, QC laboratory, plant wide training and

document management with administrative responsibility for a 16 member operating team.

• Certified by Proctor and Gamble as Full Auditor against QAKE (Quality Assurance Key Elements) quality systems requirements –

working directly with the Global Material Development and Supply Organization (GMDSO) and Baby Care (GBU).

• Developed and implemented quality processes in support of our successful S&OP Class A Supply Chain certification.

• Worked with Operations and Engineering resources to reduce the economic impact of off quality material from $1.4MM per yr to

$60K per yr. This was achieved through the implementation of administrative and engineering controls, Cap Ex projects and

continuous improvement initiatives.

• Led the plant wide quality initiative which improved our P&G QAKE audit score from 39%compliance to 85% (2007) and 90%

(2008) compliance – meeting P&G requirements for critical suppliers during 2007 and 2008. Procter and Gamble praised our

efforts and declared them a case study, which would be used to promote future global supplier improvement efforts.

• Provided leadership and support for process validation (IQ, OQ and PQ) planning and execution, which resulted in the safe and

successful start up of a $15 MM plant expansion project.

CEREX ADVANCED FABRICS, INC. Aug. 1995 – Feb. 2006

(Performance Products Division, Western Nonwovens, Inc.); Cantonment, Florida.

Plant Technical Manager Aug. 2002 – Feb. 2006

• Managed the Plant Technical department; providing process and quality engineering and laboratory support to core process –

troubleshooting process problems, optimizing standard operating conditions, conducting process analysis, designing and

conducting tests/trials to improve operating efficiency, reduce cost and meet special customer requirements.

• Corporate representative – Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG).

• Provided safety leadership as an active member of the plant emergency management team; developed and implemented successful

policies and procedures to meet RMP / PSM compliance.

• Managed, trained and evaluated 11 engineering and technical personnel.

• Provided technical support and customer interface for the Sales and Marketing department.

• Six Sigma Project (CAF project leader); Joint project with DuPont – project was successfully completed and resulted in improved

product performance, meeting customer requirements for improved surface bonding.

• Successfully participated in the technical business development of air bag sleeve and cushion material for Tier 1 automotive

customers (foreign and domestic).

• Successfully initiated, managed and completed a plant wide certification upgrade project, which transitioned our quality system to

ISO 9001 revision 2000.

• Successfully initiated, managed and completed plant–wide certification projects for the implementation of both ISO/TS16949

automotive quality certification and A2LA laboratory accreditation (ISO/IEC 17025).

• Provided process engineering and laboratory support for a $10MM plant expansion – maintaining plant operations during design,

construction and start up.

Quality Systems Manager Feb. 1998 – Aug. 2002

• Effectively managed the equipment, facilities and resources of the Quality Systems Department; including 9 engineering and

technical personnel.

• Championed continuous improvement efforts and customer quality expectations throughout the organization (management

representative for quality).

• Provided technical support for Sales and Marketing, including: customer quality interface, root cause analysis/customer complaint

resolution, data analysis, special testing, audits and product specifications.

• Designed and managed the construction of a new laboratory facility, which consolidated two outdated lab areas into one modern

facility.

• Designed and implemented laboratory system upgrades, which resulted in a 27% improvement in overall laboratory efficiency;

while supporting a 12% increase in testing requirements. These upgrades eliminated the need for built in overtime and added

additional capacity to support future business needs.

• Designed and managed an IT project implementing a new Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), which automated

laboratory activities, enhanced data management capabilities and interfaced with other plant shop floor systems.

• Managed other capital projects upgrading laboratory equipment, methodologies and procedures to support special customer

requirements.

Operations Manager Aug. 1996 – Feb. 1998

• Primarily responsible for the safe, cost effective operation of the plant ($50MM – facilities and equipment). Managed 62 personnel

in a team based work environment.

• Planned and scheduled activities related to production. Ensured environmental and regulatory compliance.

• Implemented cultural shift to a team based work environment and focused efforts to improve quality of products and services.

• Project leader (Operation’s area) for the ISO 9001/1994 certification project. Developed and documented systems / procedures for

the Operations and Quality Assurance areas.

• Provided leadership and engineering support for a $3.5MM plant expansion project – maintained plant operations during design,

construction and start up.

• Received recognition from senior management for “achieving a high level of operating effectiveness and meeting productivity

objectives in spite of a significantly more complex business than the previous year (50% more commercial items)”.

Quality Engineer Aug. 1995 – Aug. 1996

• Provided leadership, guidance and engineering support to the operating teams in regards to product and process quality.

• Led problem solving efforts. Provided quality training. Expanded the use of statistical methods, which improved product quality

and consistency.

• Designed and managed special process trials to improve product characteristics and meet specific customer requirements.

• Interfaced with customers and made technical presentations.

• Completed customer surveys, conducted audits, developed and reviewed product specifications.

• Used statistical tools for problem solving: SPC, Gage R&R studies, DOE, 8D, FMEA, developed control plans and process flow

diagrams, conducted process capability analysis, supported PPAP and other automotive industry requirements(AIAG, QS9000).

ANALYTICAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; Pensacola, Florida Sep. 1993 Aug. 1995

Quality Assurance Auditor / TQM Facilitator

(Environmental Laboratory / Quality Assurance Department)

• Developed corporate level quality procedures approved by the V.P. of Quality.

• Developed a training program and provided TQM training to 120 scientists and technical personnel.

OLIN CORP. – ORDNANCE DIVISION; St. Marks, Florida Sep. 1987 Aug. 1993

Shift Supervisor / Lead Technician Sep. 1990 Aug. 1993

(Analytical Laboratory / Quality Assurance Department)

• Recognized for the design and implementation of a cost reduction project recycling waste solvent.

• Co wrote lab computer programs in GW Basic – resulting in automated laboratory analysis reporting.

• Manufacture of propellant for military and commercial use.

• Compliant with Mil Std – 9858A; TQM principles and practices.

Senior Technician Mar. 1990 Sep. 1990

• Process control and product analysis / safety sensitive environment.

Laboratory Technician Sep. 1987 Mar. 1990

• Process control and product analysis / safety sensitive environment.

EDUCATION: University of West Florida; Pensacola, Florida

Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology; 1986

Pensacola Junior College; Pensacola, Florida

Associate of Arts in Business; 1981

CERTIFICATIONS: EMCI Engineering Management Certification Professional; 2008

SME Certified Engineering Manager; 2004

NQA 1 Lead Quality Auditor; 1994 (Nuclear Operating Systems)

ASQ Certified Quality Auditor; 1994

OSHA – Technical Instructor; 1985

LICENSURE: General Contractor, 1987

(Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties, FL)

MEMBERSHIPS: Society of Automotive Engineers – Professional Member

Society of Manufacturing Engineers – Senior Member

American Society for Quality – Senior Member

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