Manager Engineering

GRANT T. SMITH

**** ******* ****** ~ Rochester Hills, MI 48306

*******@*****.*** 248-***-****

Business Development Leader with more than 16 years of progressive leadership experience in the automotive and athletic equipment industries. Identifies opportunities to streamline business processes through effective Lean and Continuous Improvement initiatives. Unifies diverse business groups to coordinate transformative, positive changes to multi-functional environments; including reduced operational costs and improved business performance. Holds a Master of Engineering in Global Automotive Engineering from University of Michigan and Master of Business Administration from Wayne State University.

PROFESSIONAL HISTORY

WARRIOR SPORTS (NEW BALANCE ATHLETICS), Warren, MI 2016-Present

Internal Manufacturing Manager/Warp Plant Manager (April 2016- Present)

Plant Manager responsible for the Warp manufacturing business unit. Start-up operation focused on 3d knitting, injection molding and post apparel embellishment.

Planned, negotiated and executed plans to move the manufacturing plant from a temporary to permanent location; under budget and ahead of schedule.

Responsible for identifying and developing business cases to insource additional projects.

Develop specifications for required production equipment and negotiate procurement contracts.

FIAT-CHRYSLER AUTOMOBILES, Dundee, MI 2014-2016

Operations Manager- Dundee Engine Plant (September 2014- April 2016)

Executive responsible for Block, Crank, Head, and Assembly off-shift operations; including production, maintenance, quality and production control.

Responsible for the development and execution of the Scrap Reduction Network across the entire plant.

Rearranged manpower and job elements of the Fire assembly line; resulting in a through-put improvement of 13 percent and allowing the area to meet daily production goals.

GENERAL MOTORS LLC, Multiple Locations 2005 - 2014

Manufacturing Interior IRT Co-Chair- Spring Hill Manufacturing Complex (March 2014- September 2014)

Co-Lead the interior Issue Resolution Team and ensured all manufacturing related issues were discovered and resolved early in the Vehicle Development Process.

Quality Operations Manager- Spring Hill Manufacturing Complex (May 2013-March 2014)

Accountable for the development and compliance of ISO, torque, and tool and equipment standards for Powertrain, Components, and Vehicle.

Responsible for the execution of the Global Customer Audit process, JD Power reduction plans, and compliance to external requirements in Interior Injection, Exterior Injection, and Component paint quality groups.

Developed a new process for the voice of the customer that integrated warranty and global customer audit issues into one process, resulting in a 15% reduction in audit scores within 30 days of implementation.

General Assembly Business Manager- Spring Hill Flex Operations - Spring Hill, TN (March 2012 – May 2013)

Held responsible for daily business activities and long-term strategic planning for the department.

Stood-in for Shift Leaders and executed responsibilities as needed.

Reengineered level 4 and 5 business plan deployment process to align the organization to proactive rather than reactive goals, process executed across entire site.

Created manpower and training plans for GM and entry level employees during the vehicle launch re-rates.

Successfully launched the Chevrolet Equinox Flexible Manufacturing Concept at the Spring Hill Manufacturing surpassing expectations in cost, quality, and timing.

Managed engineering changes process for General Assembly.

General Supervisor– Pre-Production Operations - Warren, MI (March 2011 – March 2012)

Led four salaried supervisors responsible for the management of approximately 100 hourly UAW engineering build technicians.

Supervised general assembly prototype integration builds during the highest period of prototype development volume in GM history.

Oversaw variable manufacturing production costs, including overtime, and indirect material; maintaining costs at approximately $25,000 per vehicle.

Drove through-put improvement, cost reduction initiatives, and the implementation of General

Motors Lean production system within an engineering general assembly environment.

Department GMS champion responsible for the development and execution of GMS Gap Plan.

Responsible for the integration of the plant core teams into the PPO work environment and development of continuous improvement initiatives based on lessons learned.

Global Business Manager- Global Pre-Production Operations - Warren, MI (June 2009 – March 2011)

Orchestrated a process for analyzing the competitive nature of the prototype stamping group; created and presented a process to improve the competitiveness of the business model resulting in a savings of approximately $8 million.

Managed the development and launch of the Global Pre-Production Operations business plan.

Conceived the original plan for development of TAKT time trials within PPO-NA using 3 tier approach; component, subsystem and full vehicle.

Directed multiple global teams responsible for the implementation of global common processes and special projects relating to the competitiveness of global business sectors.

Established and managed the 2011 salary direct, contract, and student hiring plans for PPO N. America.

Coordinated the development and management of budgets for 6 global regions totaling approximately $180 Million.

Led capital planning, manpower planning, workload analysis, employee communication meetings, documentation, and senior executive presentations.

Operations Business Manager – Pre-Production Operations - Warren, MI (October 2008 – June 2009)

Acted as a leading member of the 2009 Local UAW Contract negotiation team; achieved a competitive contract viewed by senior leadership as one of the most competitive in the corporation.

Created and documented government viability plans for the prototype business unit.

Developed plans to accurately track workload levels and required manpower, greatly reducing the cost to produce prototype vehicles.

Senior Industrial Engineer – Pre-Production Stamping Operations - Warren, MI (January 2008 - October 2008)

Skilled Trades Supervisor – Fairfax Stamping - Fairfax, KS (January 2006 – January 2008)

Supervisor, GM Tool & Die College Program– Marion Stamping- Marion, IN (February 2005 - January 2006)

VENTURE ENGINEERING, Sterling Heights, MI 2000 - 2005

Lead Product Engineer - Interior Door Systems/Safety Restraints (June 2003 – February 2005)

Polymer Validation Engineer (June 2000 – June 2003)

EDUCATION

WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY, Detroit, Michigan

Master of Business Administration, 2011

CONCENTRATIONS: Finance, Accounting, Strategic Management, Program Management

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Master of Engineering, Global Automotive Manufacturing Engineering, 2008

CONCENTRATIONS: Project Management, Lean Facility Design & Management, Cognitive Engineering, Six Sigma.

LAWRENCE TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY, Southfield, Michigan

Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering, 2004

HONORS MEMBERSHIP: Pi Tau Sigma, National Mechanical Engineering Honors Society

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