VIRGIL E. BRATCHER JR.

* ******* ***** § Lake in the Hills, Illinois 60156 § 847-***-**** § ac1kl8@r.postjobfree.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/virgil-bratcher-03518310

SUMMARY

A dependable and high-energy project manager professional. Oversees multiple projects, delivering results within set time frames and exceeding expectations. A hardworking and cost-conscious team player who identifies multiple opportunities for enhancements and implants solutions to achieve objectives. A highly skilled contributor who ensures the continued success of an organization.

EXPERIENCE

SELF-EMPLOYED CONSULTANT, Lake in the Hills, Illinois

Senior Project Manager 2017-Present

ZENITH TECHNICAL INNOVATIONS, INC. - Managing a small team in the development of a new medical innovation(s) to improve patients’ health, illness, injury, and surgical recovery through controlled treatment.

Scheduled and supervised meeting(s).

Established and maintain Bill of Material

Established and assigned part numbers for all piece part and assembles.

Reviewed and provided feedback on all drawings prior to release.

Improved efficiency with creative product structure.

Supported the design and development of mechanical packaging for per FDA IEC 60601 requirements.

BRETFORD MANUFACTURING, INC., Franklin Park, Illinois

Project Manager 2013-2016

Leveraged the New Product Development process to develop project plans and to drive timely and thorough execution of product development tasks and activities as delivered through the project team. Investigated and presented alternatives to meet key project objectives. Led the team in a strong and creative way that provided an atmosphere of collaboration and problem solving. This position simultaneously managed a number of projects of various levels of complexity by leading teams composed of members from multiple departments.

Primary Engineering focal point for Executive Management team.

Implemented cost reduction of 25% on current product line.

Launched and co-designed Juice Power System and Charging Cart Platform.

Managed new program launch activities: sourcing components, qualifications, and risk assessments.

Improved efficiency with creative product structure and redesigns in real time.

Created test plans and led development team through all phases of product launch.

Responsible for engineering budget over $20M.

OTTO ENGINEERING, INC., Carpentersville, Illinois

Project Manager 2011-2013

Provided concepts through design layout and analysis, prototyping, testing, and documentation that met or exceeded customer marketing specifications with regard to performance, appearance, cost, and quality. Provided product and tooling cost estimates for quotations to customers. Managed activities to provide production support and coordinate activities between engineering, other internal departments, vendors, and customers to successfully achieve goals set for the project. Supported production and quality control in solving design and process-related problems on existing products. Supervised and provided technical guidance to support staff, such as drafters, designers, and technicians.

Implemented cost reduction plans 15%; conducted regular cost reduction meetings with cross-functional team.

Established structure for future cost reduction methods; designed the process.

Provided product and tooling cost estimates for quotations to customers.

PALLADIUM ENERGY, Naperville, Illinois

Senior Project Manager 2011

Directed US Program Management Office (PMO) and Engineering teams, partnering with overseas Shanghai facility, in managing over 100 concurrent battery pack product development projects in a portfolio worth close to $100M. Expanded and developed with both Engineering and PM teams. Traveled overseas to Shanghai facility to work with the team to fulfill sample building and drive projects into mass production.

Implemented new product designs from initial conception to mass production covering mechanical and electro-mechanical.

CONVIA, INC., A HERMAN MILLER COMPANY, Buffalo Grove, Illinois

Program Manager Consultant 2009-2010

Managed and coordinated, in a team environment, the design, development, and implementation of lighting controlled products from concept to production. Managed program development activities, including assurance to timing milestones, cost budgets, and quality targets. Included leadership role in coordination of team member activities, component management, fundamental design direction, program problem solving, supplier management, and customer interface.

Ensured mechanical design components had analytical background, empirical design, testing, and production-level verification.

Identified design issues and determined design direction, goals, and task plans for segment of engineering programs; generated and maintained mechanical engineering schedules.

Met cost goals and maintained current cost status.

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE

CONECTEC RF, Lincolnshire, Illinois

Engineering Manager 2004-2009

Managed a team of engineers in developing electro-mechanical components per customer specifications. Responsible for all aspects of Team Management, including scheduling workload and task prioritization. Worked directly with sales managers to define program deliverables and timelines. Worked with customer support and manufacturing to define mechanical product features and lead these individuals in making features/technical risk/cost/schedule trade-offs. Worked with materials, sourcing, purchasing, and quality to further define raw material specifications and controls. Provided technical support/expertise to sales and marketing to help cultivate new customer opportunities and to provide customers with custom application-specific products. Traveled to Asia on an as-needed basis to work with suppliers.

MOTOROLA, INC. (Cellular Infrastructure Division & Automotive), Arlington Heights, Illinois

Senior Staff Engineer Manager 1990-2004

Interfaced with program team members, customers, suppliers, and/or factory. Supported the design and development of mechanical packaging for automotive electrical applications to ISO/TS 16949:2002 standards. Identified design issues and determined design direction, goals, and task plans for segment of engineering programs and generated and maintained mechanical engineering schedules. Met cost goals and maintained current cost status. Project Lead Engineer for the OnStar Mechanical Design Team Interface with program team members, customers, suppliers, and factory. Initiated annual cost reductions for multi-year programs with Supply Chain Manager. Traveled internationally to meet with suppliers to meet cost reduction goals.

OUTBOARD MARINE CORP., Waukegan, Illinois

Senior Mechanical Design Engineer 1983-1990

Responsible for supplier quality and supply resourcing for two-cylinder engine. Led the two-cylinder engine design and plant support audit as well as the key contact for the manufacturing and assembly line. Monitored product test data and daily teardown engine results. Designed prototype fuel system components and cam shafts. Performed hand calculation analysis.

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

ISO/TS 16949:2002 Certified Internal Auditor

APQP and Control Plan course certified

Six Sigma certified

Eight Disciplines of Problem Solving (8D) Team Building

Product Design for Assembly

Design for Manufacturability

Plastic Part Design Technology

Geometric Tolerance Dimensioning

MRP Systems: Macola, Made to Manage (M2M), JD Edwards

Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFMA)

Developed and maintained Engineering Manuals

Product UL certification 498, 962, 962A, 60950, IEC 60601, IEC 61000

Lean Manufacturing Training

Access, PowerPoint, Project, Excel, Word, Visio, Outlook, SharePoint, Salesforce, Basecamp

Pro/E (Wildfire 3.0), Pro/PDM, Pro/SHEETMETAL

AutoCAD, SolidWorks viewing

Project Management experience in the development of automotive tier one/tier two electro-mechanical components. Knowledge and experience in using sheet metal, plastic injection molding, die casting, machine components, and connectors.

Project Management experience in the development of a medical device.

EDUCATION

ACME Institute of Technology, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Bachelor of Tool & Die Engineering, 1983

AWARDS

Various patents:

BI-174, Title “Recessed Power System,” Utility Patent Application No. 15/183,841

BI-249, Title “Handle for a Computer Cart,” Design Patent Application No. 29/559,619

BI-254, Title “Cord Winder for a Computer Cart,” Design Patent Application No. 29/559,621

BI-255, Title “Handle for a Computer Cart,” Design Patent Application No. 29/559,624

Contact this candidate