Michael D. Needham

www.linkedin.com/in/mdneedham/, ac1647@r.postjobfree.com 616-***-****

ENGINEERING MANAGER AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT LEADER

Product Development / Program Management / Process Management / Facilities Management

Engineering Manager and Product Development Leader with proven success in the implementation and management of teams focused on satisfying the customer. Meeting customer expectations and effectively directing all phases of the product development life cycle from the initial concept to commercialization of products.

Industry experience includes automotive, furniture, and appliance background in guiding high-level leadership strategies, disciplines and best practice methodologies critical to managing innovation and rapid growth in manufacturing based organizations. A skilled communicator who creates team excellence with a rigorous, execution-oriented approach to program management and product engineering methods combined with broad knowledge in building strong customer relationships and envisioning future resource and competitive needs.

Engineering Leadership

Customer Communication

Organizational Development

Risk Management / Feasibility

Budget & P&L of Department

Proposal Development / Timelines

Supplier Development

Coordinating/tracking of proj.

Negotiation Skills

Direct Reports / mechanical and Electrical

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Needham Engineering & Consulting 2010-Present

Providing product development, program management, project engineering, quality, facilities and operations management. (Recently worked with the US EPA, Ann Arbor mi, directing design, build and install of 4 chassis dyno emissions test cells)

Jireh Metals – Grand Rapids, MI 2007-2009

Project Engineering Manager

Leading the department through the APQP process from the quoting stages, design and production launch of various metal stamped products and assemblies. The customer base consist of HMI, Haworth, Ingersoll Rand (Schlage Lock), and ITW Drawform.

Led department product development (design for new product and engineering changes) Tailored department infrastructure for full-scale development (Created APQP checklist, APQP meetings, status reports and action plans). Directed technical staff to support product and quality development, prototype to production transition, and supplier and customer interface. Provided a high level of leadership to interface with all levels of the organization.

Developed and implemented program plans that identify clear goals, tasks, schedules, milestones and budgets. Utilized product deployment strategies to achieve shorter lead-time development and lower prototype development cost for initial product launches.

Established customer communication regarding design, timing, cost, and quality issues. Assisted in all corporate initiatives for team training to make sure members have the essential tools to be successful. Working to develop and build long term relationships with both internal and external customers and vendors.

Identified and tracked key process metrics to improve product quality and cost.

PPAP submissions on-time to customer.

Managed Suppliers through product completion.

Ensured Engineering, design, and process for product production meets all standards.

Guide all Quality systems in an ISO/TS environment regarding new product

Michael D. Needham

RAN Tubular – Kentwood, MI 2005 – 2007

Director of Engineering &

Program Management / toolroom and facilities maintenance

Responsibilities include, developing the engineering department’s structure plus creating new and existing customer and vendor relationships. Products manufactured are metal stampings and assemblies, wire forms, tubular products for Chrysler, Benteler, Gill Industries and HMI customer base.

For customer's requiring product design and development we utilized an outside design house, tooling vendors and automation groups. Our internal team would define the customer needs for a portfolio of product platforms. We utilized the customer’s voice and bench marked data with technical feasibility assessments to meet their needs in regards to cost, design, and build timing. Worked with R & D in the testing/validation and incorporating new design.

Provided cost estimating for new projects and engineering changes.

Created time lines utilizing Microsoft project software.

Coordinated and facilitated supplier development for meeting program timing and prototype build, pilot and production build requirements.

Managed DVP&R testing and communication for automotive customers

Championed systems development methods to define and translate customer needs into customer delivery requirements. Created a formal APQP process, open issues list, budget reports, tooling standards for vendors, vendors list, status reports. Served on several corporate committees for business process development and deployment of system engineering practices.

Worked with quality to achieve customer PPAP submission goals.

Fuel Systems LLC – Walker, Mi 2003 – 2005

Engineering Manager –

Directing Product engineering and Manufacturing Engineering with facilities responsibilities.

Due to manufacturing needs selected a technical staff consisting of product engineer, manufacturing engineer, advanced engineer, tooling and maintenance to support our customers’ requirements. Plant supplied commercial truck fuel tanks to Ford Motor Company.

Activities included technical support for new product development and test, production build and quality control programs.

Presented and proposed design change to Ford’s fuel tanks utilizing design simulation software, prototypes and testing validation saving the company in excess of 500K per year.

Developed formal APQP procedures (cost estimating, design and build sign-offs, testing procedures, tooling and gaging, PPAP) Directed mechanical and electrical engineering.

Established excellent working relationship with customer and vendors.

Grand Rapids Plastics – Wyoming, Mi 1999 – 2003

Project Engineer –

Responsibilities include, leading team of people consisting of a quality engineer, tooling engineer, process engineer and CAD designer from the initial design through production. The company’s product base consisted of injection molded plastic door handles, mirror shells, window frames, headlamp carrier and furniture and appliance components and assemblies. Customers included Magna Donnelly, GM, and HMI

Customer Liaison – communication regarding cost, design, timing, quality.

Tooling design and procurement

Chaired APQP meetings and procedures

Created time lines (Microsoft project) for the customer

Cost estimating and process flow

Michael D. Needham

SHAPE Corporation – Grand Haven, Mi 1992 – 1998

Program Manager –

Responsibilities include, leading team of people consisting of a quality engineer, tooling engineer, process engineer and CAD designer from the initial design through production. The company’s product base consisted of roll formed and stamped bumper systems, door beams, and furniture products. Customers included Toyota, GM, Honda, Chrysler, HMI, Haworth, Steelcase and Knoll.

(Directed a High profile Toyota camry bumper system platform from concept to completion. Based on this program SHAPE was grant several more Toyota platforms.)

Customer Liaison – communication regarding cost, design, timing, quality.

Tooling design / machine design and procurement

Chaired APQP meetings and procedures, status reports to Upper Management

Created time lines (Microsoft project) for the customer

Directed electrical and mechanical in regards to product and tooling and machine design

Lead Direct reports

Responsible for budget

Managed external vendors and customer communication

Worked with R&D regarding bumper validation testing and FEA design inputs

EDUCATION

Grand Valley State University – Allendale, MI B.S. – Engineering (School of Engineering)

Grand Rapids Junior College – Grand Rapids, MI Associates - Liberal Arts & Sciences

ADDITIONAL TRAINING

Microsoft Project Timeline, Project Management, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, DFMEA, PFMEA, DVP&R, FEA, GD&T, Tooling design/build, Gaging, Lean & Six Sigma

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