Quality Assurance Engineer

LEANNE WHALEN

************@*****.***

http://ca.linkedin.com/in/leannewhalen

quality assurance specialist

Committed and passionate professional with over 15 years experience in the

manufacturing and

consulting in non-profit, charitable, and inter-faith industries; Certified

Mechanical/Quality Engineer; expertise in Team Development, Statistical

Analysis, Benchmarking, Metrics and development in Research and Development

and New Product technologies.

> Advanced statistical methodologies (SPC) for team development and

technical monitoring

> COQ (Cost of Quality) Model definition and implementation, Cross

functional Team Development

> SWOT Analysis (Strength, Weaknesses,Opportunities & Threats) CBA (Cost

Benefit Analysis), Value Stream Mapping, 5-Y, and RBA (Risk-Benefit

Analysis)

> LEAN practices and Design for Excellence (DfX), DOE and Gage R&R

> Strong Technical writing (Information Mapping) and documentation control

skills

> Proficient in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Oracle, SAP, BPCS, and others

> Superior oral, written and listening communication skills

> True team player

> Excellent integrity

Education and Awards

Mechanical/Quality Engineering, Durham College

Certified Quality Technician, American Society for Quality

ISO 9001:2000 Lead Auditor RABQSA Certified, BSI Management Systems Canada

Certified Quality Engineer, American Society for Quality

International Team Excellence Award, preliminary round judge for ASQ

Celestica Merit Award,

Amonix Award for contributions to Cogentrix Project voted 2nd best solar

installation in the world

Employment History

Consultant 2011 - 2013

Prosequence-Reach LLC, California

. Internationally experienced with clients based in Germany, Denmark and

Turkey

. Specialized in small and medium size business, organic farms, English

language schools and renewable energy products support and

distribution

. Increased rate of comfort in speaking English for Turkish students by

40% using 'Play with Purpose' model

. Travel writer MasterPeace.org

Quality Engineer 2010 - 2011

Amonix, California, USA

. Colorado Solar Energy project for Cogentrix voted 2nd best solar

energy project in the world for 2012 - worked in capacity as Lead

Quality engineer and acting Director of Quality

. Developed data collection methodology, monitored data integrity,

develped metrics and predictive modeling for various aspects of the

manufacturing and installation processes

. Provided SQE functional support for two suppliers, resulting in

implementation of design contributing to a 10% yield improvement

. 28% yield improvement through Gemba walk, prioritization of process

improvements, and DOE

Leanne Whalen page 2

Production Quality Manager 2008

Research in Motion, Waterloo

. Reduced cycle time by 15% and increased by 20% defect detection

through 2nd Stage Line audit process

. Development of feedback loops and continual improvement projects

resulting in 12% yield improvement in three months

. Achieved 30% increase in detection rates of cosmetic flaws through

standardization of lighting equipment

Quality Manager 2007

Alcan Packaging, Woodbridge

. Attained a 98% closure rate of eight month backlog in customer

complaints in under three months

. Developed customer quality agreement regarding glass vials and ampoule

quality

. Implemented and trained six staff members in methodology for process

compliance monitoring

Continual Improvement Project Manager 2006 - 2007

Mueller Canada, Barrie

. Identified corrective action opportunities and measurement techniques

to determine effectiveness of implemented solutions

. Developed and designed Lotus Notes database system for tracking

returned materials process improving response to customer time by 350%

. Led 3 successful ISO audits through accrediting body

. Accomplished On Time delivery improvement of 30% in three months

. Selected to deliver presentations to upper management to define

required resources and obtain commitment to complete continual

improvement projects on time and under budget

Quality Assurance Supervisor 2005 - 2006

Mueller Canada, Barrie

. Trained manufacturing floor of 45 people in formalized processes for

continual improvement projects using 8-D problem solving and FMEA

(Failure Modes and Effects Analysis)

. Achieved 60% cost savings on vendor supplied materials through

qualification of overseas and local vendors for contracted

manufacturing positions

. Utilized visual management methodologies for updating and clarifying

documentation

Engineering Technical Support 2002 - 2004

Celestica Inc., Toronto

. Led organization to 60% scrap reduction over six month period

. Designed DPMO (Defects Per Million Opportunities) tracking methodology

used to benchmark process capability reported to the University of

Texas

. Implemented statistical process controls resulting in 20% yield

increase during the first three months

. Reported and responded to customer requirements

Quality Specialist Team Leader 1994 - 2002

Celestica Inc., Toronto

. Supervised, directed and trained quality personnel across entire

business unit

. Provided site wide quality training

. Defined quality targets and coordinated continual improvement

activities across business unit to meet and exceed targets

. Qualified automated inspection system for solder joints, improving

cycle time by 30% in under three months

. Contributed to cycle time reduction from 3 days to 17 hours for high

volume products

. Transitioned large database (over 3000 documents) of documentation

from BPCS environment to Lotus notes database using information

mapping techniques and visual management techniques

. Reduced inspection training period from 3 days to 1 day for new

contract inspectors while increasing consistency of detection rates to

13% above industry standard

Leanne Whalen page 3

Volunteer Work

SHIP - California based program for helping people who were homeless but

recently received jobs. Networked with various groups to provide all needs

for first 4 months of employment for clients so they could save all their

earnings to start a new life. Training, mentorship.

Engineers Without Borders - Workshops for children and young adults on

sustainability and natural resource protection/management

Habitats For Humanity - Volunteer coordinator and trainer for Toronto Blitz

Build of 60 homes in 1 month

MasterPeace - Peace Pilgrim- Traveled 5 countries for 14 months writing

about peace building as it pertains to sustainable business and living

practices, Free Enterprise and fair trade.

Contact this candidate