Product Development Leadership, Engineering, Program Management

DIANA SUFARIU

https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-sufariu/

603-***-**** cell 73 Middle Dunstable Rd

********@*****.*** Nashua, NH 03062

Accomplished Engineering Leader with over 20 years of experience in sensor development, product integration, and technology advancement. Expertise in new product introduction, value engineering, and manufacturing. Proven ability to balance quality, cost, and time-to-market goals. Certified PMP and Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, with a strategic focus on continuous improvement and operational excellence. Adept at managing large-scale programs and establishing PMOs, ready for new challenges.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

AIRMAR TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION, Milford, NH 08/2021-07/2024

Director of Engineering

Directed a diverse engineering team (65 members) including hardware, software/firmware, mechanical, acoustics, manufacturing, production test, and program management to launch new products and provide sustainment for current product lines.

Led the planning and execution of a robust R&D portfolio with approximately 75 active projects.

Implemented a New Product Development process with effective customer requirements analysis, market plans, risk assessment and data driven investment strategies.

Developed and implemented a comprehensive system architecture strategy, ensuring flexibility and scalability.

Launched 2 new product lines with forecasted sales of $20M / year.

Defined the Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) plan, accounting for markets, products, sales and obsolescence,

resulting in a 30% reduction in maintained SKUs.

Introduced the company’s first consumer product in the recreational downrigger market in a record 10 months.

Launched of the first temperature-differential-powered float for the Seabed 2030 project, in collaboration with the University of New Hampshire and industry partners, contributing to the global initiative to map the entire ocean floor by 2030.

Doubled revenue in 2023 from 2019 levels by improving the assembly process and modernizing equipment.

Reduced the failure rate by 90% by implementing a revised production test and a failure analysis review with data

collection, dashboards, and corrective actions.

Expanded our agricultural market presence by 40% through the acquisition of three new major customers.

Established clear goals, measured success, and held team members accountable, fostering a high-performance, entrepreneurial, deadline-driven environment.

Achieved 10% year-over-year cost savings through pricing strategies, supplier partnerships and process optimizations.

Collaborated with product management and direct sales to identify, evaluate, and incorporate new technologies and

processes, driving continuous improvement.

CARRIER CORPORATION Ashland MA 09/2019- 08/2021

Director of Program Management Office

Led program management teams in the US and India, overseeing portfolio management, defining roles,

responsibilities, and competencies.

Spearheaded technical developments, new initiatives, and cost reduction strategies.

Established organizational reporting through dashboards and recurring portfolio reviews for $300M.

Successfully delivered the first connected fire panel product in the market (SaaS) using Agile methodologies and cloud computing on AWS – 1,000 sold in the 1st quarter after launch.

Delivered 10% year-over-year cost savings realizing financial target and increased profitability.

Demonstrated analytical skills while established reporting of key performance indicators (KPI) dashboards: ROI, project cost, product cost, resource loading, timeline, risks and obstacles.

Created and implemented resource management and allocation process, allowing prioritization of projects and resulting in predictable milestones within 10 days of plan.

Translated BU strategy into a clear vision and purpose for the product engineering team, balancing transformational and incremental changes, resulting in a 10% increase in operational efficiency.

Increased the maturity and competency of the program management team with 30% increase in PMI certifications. (PMP, PMI-ACP)

Partnered with product management, sales, and finance to develop strategic planning and vision for product lines and technology.

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION Chelmsford MA 01/2014-09/2019

Business Optimization Project Manager

Implemented the Hoshin - for Strategy Deployment 5-year projects.

Collaborated with the global manufacturing sites to reduce lead-time (15%) labor cost (20%), by eliminating waste,

optimizing processes and introduce automation.

Led teams of 15–20 people globally to implement NPI Processes using Lean & Six Sigma concepts and reduce risk.

Exceeded the productivity target by 15%, 4 years in a row.

Created and applied new project prioritization and portfolio budget management process $250M.

Improved the engineering utilization from 30% to 80% in one year.

Developed and deployed a Product Cost management process NPI with predictability within 10% of target.

Created and successfully implemented a data driven project review process for quick data driven decisions.

Demonstrated ability to lead global teams to adopt Lean & Six Sigma concepts and reduce the project duration by 10%

Mentored and provided coaching for 10 people to achieve their Green Belt and Black Belt Certifications.

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION Chelmsford MA 08/2012-01/2014

Technical Project Manager (New Products)

Managed complex cross-functional projects using a 6-stage gate process $4 million

Successfully reached the Execution Metrics in 95% of the projects

Collaborated with global cross-functional teams to plan and execute projects for timely product launches

Introduced key DFSS techniques in product design process (DoE, Capability studies, Monte Carlo simulations)

Ensured resolution of complex technical issues within allocated time frame and budget

Coordinated and led collaborative design reviews and monthly project reviews

Utilized effective communications and presentation skills to align stakeholders and secure project approvals.

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION Chelmsford MA 01/2007-08/2012

Engineering Manager

Managed the proximity sensor portfolio, 18 different product lines with annual revenue of $50M

Planned and directed department activities for multiple projects; 11 direct reports

Managed global product development teams (US, China, India, Dominican Republic, Italy, Germany)

Created and implemented the technical and product roadmap for proximity sensor development

Ensured proper application of technology and resources to meet the defined deadlines

Led the introduction of simulation software and FEA tools for faster design iterations and performance predictions

Secured product compliance with agency regulations such as TUV, UL, CE, CSA, CCC, NEMA

Provided cost and schedule estimates for new product development projects

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION Chelmsford MA 10/2004-01/2007

Engineering Supervisor

Directed the SAP implementation for the business unit.

Managed several proximity sensor development projects, new designs and cost reduction activities.

Directed project teams and the Custom Products group.

Participated in standards development committees for proximity sensors and stayed current with industry trends.

Developed international partnerships for the development of new products.

Maintained interactions with customers such as Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors and ensured customer satisfaction.

Designed and developed sensing products for automation, to enhance reliability, and performance, resulting in customer satisfaction.

Other experience

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION Chelmsford MA 10/2000-10/2004

Sensor Design Engineer

RULMENTUL Brasov, Romania 09/1995-09/2000

Integration Engineer - Automation

EDUCATION

MBA Rivier University – Organizational Leadership - Nashua, NH 2010

BS Transilvania University - Electrical Engineering – Brasov, Romania 1995

CERTIFICATIONS

LSS BB Lean Six Sigma Black Belt - Rockwell Automation, April 2017

PMP Project Management Professional – PMI – June 2010 - #1419046

SOFTWARE AND TOOLS

Project Management Tools: MS Project, Smartsheet, Jira, Asana, Monday.com

ERP Systems: SAP, IFS, Workday

Collaboration: Microsoft Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, Slack, Confluence

Data Analysis & Visualization: Minitab, MS Excel, Power BI, Tableau

Agile and Lean Tools: Kanban, Scrum, Six Sigma (DoE, Regression, Capability Analysis, Value Stream Mapping, DFMEA, and others)

CORE SKILLS

Product development, Project management, Portfolio management, Road mapping, Risk management, Change management, Team development, Software development, Innovation, Data analysis, Data visualization, Agile, Strategy Deployment, Cost savings Realization, Product Governance, Cyber Security, Lean Six Sigma, Manufacturing, New Technologies, Problem-solving, Supply chain, Compliance, ioT

INNOVATION

Several patents and patent applications on innovative sensor designs and manufacturing concepts

https://patents.justia.com/inventor/diana-a-sufariu

VOLUNTEER

Think for Fun Math enrichment, problem-solving skills, accuracy and speed

New England Disabled Sports Nationally recognized program providing year-round adaptive sports

ADDITIONAL INTEREST

Adjunct Faculty RIVIER UNIVERSITY - Business and Security Studies – Program Management

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