Manager Engineering

JAMES GRAY

***** ******* *****

Northville, Michigan 48168

734-***-**** • *****.****@**********.***

www.linkedin.com/in/jamesagray/

EXECUTIVE PROFILE

Dedicated and Results Oriented Executive with broad proven track record in Global General

Management, Marketing, Strategic Planning and Product Development. Adept at optimizing

global resources, generating significant cost savings and promoting innovative solutions. Skilled in

clarifying issues, advocating solutions, mobilizing cross-functional global support and facilitating

decision-making in complex situations. Excellent leadership, problem solving and relationship

building skills.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

IMS GEAR HOLDING, INC., Gainesville, GA

General Manager, IMS Gear Americas 2013–Present

Implement the Supplier Development, Engineering (application and manufacturing) and Quality

functions at the NA regional level.

JOHNSON CONTROLS, INC, Plymouth, MI

Global Director, Product and Process Strategy 2011–2013

Managed 30 indirect reports responsible for engineering, manufacturing and sales for 93 programs

globally.

• Integrated competing products of 2 acquired competitors into a cohesive product offering.

o Highlighted synergies of 3 companies product designs creating $7+million savings.

o Product offering reduced customer warranties and enhanced quality.

• Implemented Best Business Practices across global production sites saving 10% conversion

costs.

Managing Director, Core Seating Mechanisms 2009-2011

Managed team of 6 Program Managers and 15 indirect reports covering current production product

improvements and customer changes globally.

• Improved quality and increased machine utilization rates by 25% by reducing part number

proliferation from over 100 to 42.

• Implemented Robust Engineering practices (PDfSS) in global new product design reducing

Engineering costs by 10%.

JOHNSON CONTROLS, INC, Shanghai, China

Large Project Leader/Managing Director Core Seating Products 2006-2009

Led full business spectrum of Core Seating Structures and Mechanisms for Asia Pacific Region.

Managed P&L, manufacturing, engineering, quality and customer interface with a matrixed

leadership team of 57 and 270 exempt and non-exempt employees at two manufacturing facilities.

• Grew sales from $24million to $138million by growing from 2 product lines to 6 product lines.

• Established business case for new green field plant in Northern China expanding from one to

two facilities.

o Implemented Johnson Control Manufacturing Systems methodology into new facility.

• Integrated regional non-Core products into Core Manufacturing approach saving $1.6million

per year.

Director Product Value Management & Engineering Operations AP&J Regions 2005–2006

Managed operational cost of 12 engineering centers in six countries with 450 engineers responsible

for all Asia Pacific engineering.

• Implemented $25 million annualized savings for the APJ region via team of 12 VAVE

Managers and Best Business Practices (BBP) in a 6 month period.

• Decreased Engineering costs 15% by Implementing standardized lean engineering systems

throughout the regional Engineering Centers

JAMES GRAY PAGE 2

JOHNSON CONTROLS AUTOMOTIVE, Ayase, Japan

Executive Director of Engineering/Executive Advisor (Special Assignment) 2005-2005

Recruited by Regional Vice President to advise new VP on the day to day operations of engineering

team and all supporting functions during 6 month probationary period. Six direct reports and 110

indirect reports.

• Reduced running cost of Technical Center by 20% through application of Corporate

Engineering standards for change control and design reviews.

• Introduced first Core Product application to Japan market resulting in $25M in product sales.

• Improved product business cases from average -3% to +6% ROS by negotiating clean-up of

Engineering changes with customer.

SHANGHAI YANFENG JOHNSON CONTROLS COMPANY LTD, Shanghai, China

Director of Engineering 2003-2005

Managed Engineering of one major and four minor Joint Ventures, 6 direct and 200 indirect reports.

• Expanded major JV team from 70 to 130 Engineers while increasing programs from 27 to 84

and incorporating lean engineering practices ensuring all quality, timing and cost target we

maintained.

• Expanded product offerings from seating to interior components by incorporating newly

acquired and existing corporate products.

• Successfully sold first JCI Core products to Chinese OEM, worth $10million in sales.

• Awarded patent on reclining rear seat for luxury vehicles.

JOHNSON CONTROLS, INC, Plymouth, MI

Product Portfolio Manager – Mechanisms 2002–2003

Led a team of 10 contract employees designing, developing and testing mechanisms. Managed four

business cases including, costing and investments to meet financial hurdle rates.

• Progressed 4 products from Concept Development to OK for sale.

Product Planning Manager - International OEM 2001–2002

Managed projects teams up to 10 responsible for creating engineering customer proposals. Worked

with manufacturing, costing and finance to create sales pricing for OEM.

• Awarded company’s first North America project with Korean OEM worth $63million

Manager, Technical Marketing and Benchmarking 1999–2001

Managed 10 Technical Marketing Managers supporting the sales team. Managed Benchmarking

team of 5 Product Specialists and 6 Technicians.

• Awarded power seat project with Honda worth $40million.

• Managed employee re-deployment to organization that purchases Benchmarking Group.

o Served on Executive team that selected acquiring organization.

Engineering Manager - Ford Business Unit 1998–1999

Assumed accountability for 14 of 27 engineers assigned to the team responsible for Ford PN96/131

project.

• Launched Ford PN96/131 Integrated Seat Belt front seat structure

JOHNSON CONTROLS AUTOMOTIVE (UK) LTD, Chelmsford, Essex, UK

Lead Engineer 1995-1998

Led Complete Seat Engineering activities for launch of Gen 1 Ford Focus with a team of 6.

• Served on Management team that selected site and opened JCI office in London area

• Developed light weight (20% mass reduction) seat frame designs, basis for JCI Core

designs.

EDUCATION / TRAINING

Master of Business Administration – International Business, Walsh College, Troy, MI June 2013

Bachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio

AFFILIATIONS / ASSOCIATIONS / MEMBERSHIPS

Delta Mu Delta National Business Administration Honor Society

Optional Information

JAMES GRAY PAGE 2

Army, National Guard, Toledo, Ohio, Honorable Discharge

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