Supplier Quality Management

Richard L. Barner

Driftwood, TX ***** 512-***-**** *****@*****.*** www.linkedin.com/in/richard-barner Supplier Quality Engineer

Strategic, purposeful leader with extensive, broad-based operational experience spanning Quality Management, Procurement, Supplier Quality, Sales Operations, Converged Infrastructure Solutions, Manufacturing Operations, Materials Management, and Operations Engineering. Proficient in all aspects of Quality Management Systems, Quality Assurance, Statistical Process Control, and Quality Systems Audits. Natural talent in building and leading high-performing teams and instilling a culture of customer focus and accountability to achieve challenging goals in complex, fast-paced, inclusive business environments.

KEY SKILLS

Quality Optimization Business Process Improvement Cost Containment Strategies Supplier Quality Management Operational Excellence Project Management Budget Management Customer Relationship Management Global Process Leader Analytical Thinking Relationship Building Negotiation Communication

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

DELL INC., Round Rock, TX 1997 – 2025

Converged Infrastructure Leader (2018 – 2025)

Defined the long-term vision and strategic goals of the organization, making high-stakes decisions that shaped the Business Unit’s success. Led process optimization, productivity enhancements, and technology implementations.

• Launched QA programs, ensuring compliance and adherence to best practices.

• Fostered a culture of innovation, promoting AI initiatives to maintain market competitiveness.

• Identified and pursued growth opportunities, achieving a 26% year-over-year expansion. Global Supplier Quality Engineer (2009 – 2018)

Led global supplier quality management across manufacturing operations in China, Korea, Taiwan, Brazil, Mexico, and Poland. Specialized in Statistical Process Control (SPC) analysis to drive efficiency and quality improvements.

• Developed and executed strategic initiatives, training supplier personnel in Business Process Improvement (BPI) methodologies to optimize workflows.

• Conducted rigorous Quality Process and Quality System Audits to reinforce compliance and operational excellence.

• Provided executive leadership in supplier quality management, leveraging SPC insights to enhance productivity.

• Designed robust Sub-Tier Supplier Management (STSM) frameworks, elevating downstream component quality.

• Applied the Risk Priority Number (RPN) process to prioritize and mitigate critical risks.

• Monitored key performance indicators (MWD, CID, PID) for Root Cause and Corrective Action

(RCCA).

• Reviewed engineering, procurement, manufacturing, and IT processes to ensure product launch readiness.

• Collaborated with IT to implement a high-efficiency product ordering system for critical suppliers.

• Ensured just-in-time configurations, improving customization and meeting customer demands.

• Eliminated post-release and out-of-box excursions, contributing to a 15% market share increase. Global Solutions Operations Process Engineer (2006 – 2009) Developed and documented Solution Operation Center processes to support global expansion across the Americas, China, and EMEA, enhancing sales’ ability to deliver comprehensive solutions.

• Led operational development and governance through thought leadership and team collaboration.

• Provided pre-sales technical expertise in designing and implementing complex products and solutions.

• Delivered technical expertise to sales teams and clients through presentations and demonstrations.

Global Commodity Manager, Worldwide Procurement (2003 – 2006) Managed cost strategies to deliver best-value products, sourcing key commodities such as LCDs, motherboards, and hardware while reducing dependency on sole-sourced components.

• Led strategy discussions with ODM partners, aligning business growth with Dell’s executive vision.

• Negotiated contracts, driving revenue growth from $15M to $84M annually.

• Implemented corrective actions, reducing product and warranty costs by approximately 3%.

• Streamlined ODM processes, achieving a 25% cost reduction while maintaining quality standards. Project Manager, Custom Factory Integration (CFI) (2000 – 2003) Marketed and sold CFI services, including customer-specific images, hard drive partitioning, data encryption, asset tagging, and embedded coding.

Operations and Materials Manager, Dell Americas Operations (1997 – 2000) Directed a team of 3 managers and 135 associates overseeing manufacturing and shipping operations.

• Restructured underperforming operations, optimizing material reception and product shipping.

• Improved key performance indicators, including Defects per Hundred Units (DPHU) and Line Reject Rate (LRR).

• Managed a budget of approximately $75M, ensuring operational efficiency and cost control. MILITARY EXPERIENCE

Texas National Guard – Retired Sergeant

Demonstrated operational leadership, training discipline, and mission execution under pressure. EDUCATION

Master’s, Quality Systems Management

National Graduate School, Falmouth, MA

Bachelor of Science (BS) Organizational Leadership Supervision Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN

CERTIFICATIONS

Lean Six Sigma, Black Belt and Green Belt, Dell Inc.

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