Operations, Data Analytics, Management

Manager, Vehicle Test Operations

Versatile Six Sigma Black Belt melding key automotive testing operations experience and advanced analytics training to bolster continuous improvement and build high-performing teams at Mercedes-Benz. Enthusiastic and straightforward, delivering across multiple teams and workstreams with strong communication and meaningful collaboration. Relentless learning at every position, readily earning expertise as well as respect from engineers, executives, and plant employees. Statistical process control, illuminating not just what data to collect, but the best ways to measure, analyze, and fix issues for the long term.

Quality Assurance & Quality Control

Vendor Relationships

Data Analytics

Lean Processes

Documentation

Regulatory Compliance

Contract Negotiation

Sigma Green Belt & Black Belt Projects

Continuous Improvement

“Danielle is a rare combination – an exceptional leader and extremely competent in technical fields. There is no one I would trust more to handle the most important strategic initiatives. She has a passion for analytics, a talent for telling the story hidden in the data, and the intelligence to maximize opportunities most people never see.”

J. Splawn, Operating Unit Manager, Daimler Trucks NA

Professional Experience

MERCEDES-BENZ RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT NORTH AMERICA • Long Beach, CA • 2021 to 2023

Vehicle Operations Manager, Overall Vehicle Testing & Durability

With great discretion and nimble negotiation, oversees the multifaceted workstreams of track testing, real-road test drives, Measurement Engineering, and Durability. Deftly manages a web of complex logistics, ensuring compliance and confidentiality.

Leverages valuable plant experience in optimizing emissions labs and prioritizing vehicles and issues.

Leads a team comprised of nine direct reports, three contractors, and an intern, with additional responsibility of multiple Service Providers performing vehicle testing.

Maintains responsibility for a disbursed fleet of 1,200 test vehicles.

Oversees the installation and update of measurement equipment installed in vehicles for Durability and Powertrain testing, as well as the extraction of data.

Negotiates and manages four multimillion-dollar contracts with large testing service providers running vehicles across the country. Negotiates and manages contracts with closed tracks, test tracks, proving grounds, and proprietary facilities.

Manages the test vehicle teams based in Seattle, Sunnyvale, and Long Beach, with ultimate accountability for the fleet from insurance to mileage.

Supervises preparation of vehicles for press events, photography, car shows, and music videos.

Oversees the employee vehicle lease program and the Product, Testing & Evaluation vehicles driven by managers.

Oversees test vehicle teams in Seattle, Sunnyvale, and Long Beach, with ultimate fleet accountability from insurance to mileage.

Managed logistics for 130+ people arriving from Germany for 3-week test drives of 75 vehicles for Death Valley test drive.

DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA • Mount Holly, NC/Fort Mill, S.C./ Redford, MI • 2010 to 2020

Continuous Improvement Manager, Mount Holly Truck Manufacturing Plant, N.C. (2015 to 2020)

After a standout Green Belt project eliminating truck defects, was tapped to bring that expertise to a deeper people leadership role. Assisted in a rotation of junior certifications while also becoming the first at Daimler to pass Black Belt certification in just five months. Performed measurement system analysis, gauge studies, and a host of complex projects.

Completed a Green Belt project that reduced pneumatic system air leaks – eliminating a Top 10 warranty claim for the plant.

Identified and worked to reduce four main causes of fuse failures, executing a Black Belt project that increased the classis test pass rate from 36% to more than 85% and was replicated in the Mexico plant.

Implemented a tool to create reproducible, repeatable air leak testing at the end of the line. Designed and 3D-printed an insertable depth-marking tool, giving operators a visual signal of proper airline insertion.

Connected well with employees from the plant floor to the upper-level management.

Quality Assurance Supervisor Truck Operating System Supervisor (2015 to 2020)

Promoted to lead 60 union QA employees across line inspections, Dynamometer/torq audits, laboratory, and customer-ready areas, as well as two roving auditors. Earned respect and engaged the team – which included many legacy employees – in the shared mission of eliminating defects.

Modeled strong work ethic and hands-on leadership, including grabbing tools to show it was possible to test and repair from the line – with a pass rate of +90%.

Created a plant map that enabled Material Requirements Planning on any schedule. Worked with Finance to validate and incorporate results into the planning process.

Compiled and presented metrics weekly to convey the latest trends, including a BEST incident report identifying potential safety hazards and the responsible operating unit.

Managed employee schedules, cross-training, and discipline in UAW compliance. Adjusted manpower daily depending on needs.

Implemented and documented lean processes to increase plant efficiencies and decrease shipping time. In a union environment, aligned perceptions around staff optimization – not reduction – as the ultimate goal.

Photographed, documented, and followed up on GEMBA walks for environmental, safety, production, and janitorial areas.

Increased the visibility of performance metrics on the shop floor, using TV screens and dry erase boards to communicate issues nearly every two hours to enable each operating unit to adjust on the fly and catch issues early.

Working with an outside marketing company, created videos showcasing two projects for Daimler Awards. Netted top honors.

Customer Application Engineer, Fort Mill, SC (2012 to 2015)

In a detail-driven technical role requiring strong dealership communication, resolved issues with compatibility, code generation, data code status exceptions, and other electronic and application issues related to truck assembly and delivery. Doggedly pursued needed system adjustments and replacements, collaborating with manufacturing plants and advising customers/dealers, and field staff on truck specifications, product availability, and delivery to achieve customer satisfaction.

Navigated supplier shortages and new product introductions, delivering timely system changes to keep production moving.

Established and controlled product definition, quote reduction, and order exceptions with engineering and marketing.

Analyzed compatibility rules and status hits for sales coordinators, helping resolve incompatibilities and shortages in open orders. Monitored backlog by tracking MIPs, updating MBU database, and reporting and recording backlog impacts.

Collaborated on the creation and continuous improvement of an ISO-compliant training matrix.

International Trade Compliance Specialist – Classification/Detroit Diesel, Redford, MI (2010 to 2011)

Performed import/export work in-house for Detroit Diesel, ensuring appropriate payment of part duties. Compiled and documented the information needed to support classifications, using U.S. Binding Rulings, Canadian D-Memos, explanatory notes, and general rules of interpretation. Also interpreted engineering drawings to ensure complete and accurate classification of goods. Helped increase the volume, consistency, and overall efficiency of classifications, partnering with MiC to develop and test trade compliance software and crafting a program that classified multiple parts at once.

JP MORGAN CHASE/VASTERA • Southfield, MI • 2006 to 2010

Staff Trade Analyst, Special Trade Programs

Gained progressive import/export and special trade experience with this third-party service provider implementing and maintaining the logistics processes to support trade operations for clients including Ford, Motorola and Alcatel-Lucent.

Generated Quality system metrics, root cause analysis, and corrective/preventative actions to mitigate customer issues and ensure timely delivery of NAFTA certificates and Country of Origin calculations. Enabled maximum duty savings by developing a database to track first-time duty-paid parts.

Qualified automotive and high-tech goods for NAFTA preferential duty treatment, which maximized profitable growth, ensured regulatory compliance, and helped establish a sustainable competitive advantage for North American clients.

Trained and managed a Mumbai team in the solicitation process.

Mountain View, CA • 586-***-****

adxdu8@r.postjobfree.com

Danielle Repokis LinkedIn

Danielle M. Repokis

Systems Expertise

Tableau Clicdata KRONOS IMS SAP TOS SQL JIRA

MiniTab/Statistical software Confluence

Analytics Technologies

Python: Google Colab, Jupyter Notebook, Anaconda

Including NumPy, Pandas, statsmodels, Plotly, SciPy, Matplotlib, Scikit-learn, Keras, TensorFlow

R-Studio : ggplot2, data.table, dplyr, tidyr, XGBoost, seaborne

Education, associations & Certification

Master of Science, Quantitative Management / Business Analytics

DUKE UNIVERSITY, Durham, NC

Student Leadership/Ambassador Merit Scholarship Recipient

ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER – University of California – Irvine, 2022 - Present

ASQ SIX SIGMA CERTIFIED BLACK BELT (ID 21425)

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