Quality Control Engineering Manager

Lawrence Wong, P.E., 929-***-**** (US), *******@*****.***

BaByliss Pro, Conair Corporation Stamford, Connecticut, US

Engineering and Quality Lead 2024 -- 2025

Launched BaBylissPRO X Tomb45 wireless-charging clipper and trimmer in 2025. Collected life test data and field complains to resolve engineering and process manufacturing related issue – 1. Altered OCP to 2.3A and allowed 5.0V DC motor to take on higher torque and not stalled while cutting thick hair. 2. Worked with factories in China and Vietnam to ensure moving blade to fixed blade tip-to-tip distance of 0.3 to 0.5mm by building fixtures and having proper projector equipment. 3. Constructed quality control plan and ensured 100% QC inspection of critical components such as spring coil and cutting blade.

American Bath Group Long Island City, New York, US

Head of Quality Assurance 2017 – 2023

Management in quality on multiple concurrent projects (towel warmer, AirTempo control, steamlinx control with app, iSteam 3 control, wall seat new design, next generation high-power generator and more) from concept to production to field support. Direct report includes quality inspector, RMA (return) coordinator, quality engineer, procurement manager and technical service manager.

In-home field visits to see defects first-hand and identify root causes of defects and solutions. Trace and resolve critical issues to minimize project risk factors and problem solving with internal team members and external vendors. Conduct corrective action plan with major vendors, target to resolve all issues before next vendor’s shipment. Root cause analysis from all sources including but not limited to quality inspections, TDR (trouble defect report), RMA (return material authorization) and customer feedback/complaints through customer and technical service teams. Report and resolve with Engineering, Service and Production on malfunctions and defects with immediate actions. Facilitate proactive solutions by collecting and analyzing quality data. Field complaints have been consistently going down 12-83.5% year-over-year, depending on product, model and product lifecycle.

Monitor all operations that affect quality and safety with designed metrics as part of a newly-created Quality Management System. Assure reliability and consistency of production by checking processes and final output. Appraise customers' requirements and ensure highest satisfaction level.

Lead Quality Management System including but not limited to Incoming Quality Control (IQC), Line Quality Control (LQC), Outgoing Quality Control (OQC), First Article Inspection (FAI), Trouble Deficiency Report (TDR), Return Material Authorization (RMA), Product Teardown and Learning, Quality Control Plan (QCP), Corrective Action Plan (CAR) with major vendors, and Continuous Improvement (cost and quality improvement).

Creator and champion in developing, implementing and enforcing a Product Development Process and Quality Assurance system, both internally for company’s new business development and externally for domestic and international suppliers. Initiate regular product tear-down and training sessions. Drive product and process improvement through different venues including but not limited to factory audit, product teardown, inspection, production run, in-home field visit, and return analysis.

Review all current standards and policies. Ensure all applicable code standards are met. Communicate with ASME and regulatory officers during onsite inspections and audits. Qualify and monitor suppliers with source inspections, performance evaluations, and safety/regulatory compliance etc. Work with prospective and current customers quality audits.

Provide expertise in engineering design, quality, operations, manufacturing and project management when leading various procurement projects including but not limited to tooling expenditure, new machinery cost/benefit analysis, prototyping, 3rd party research and development contract, new test facilities contract, development of new projects with internal stake holders and vendors, engineering and quality resource allocation with outside engineering firm, new vendor evaluation, audit and inspection spending, new equipment purchase vs. recalibration and more…

HAIER AMERICA COMPANY Qingdao, China / New York, US

Quality, Engineering and Production Director (Laundry and Dishwasher) 2010 – 2016

Managed all aspects of product reliability laboratories in China and constituted early-defect-detection programs before launch of best-selling laundry models. Identified and resolved pump issues by designing a filter trap, improved on product packaging (ISTA transportation tests) and reduced 65% of returns, made tooling/fixture modifications, and many other design/process changes to reduce overall SIR% (service incidence rate – claims + returns + exchange + DIF + refunds) from 32% in 2011 to around 6% in 2016.

Analyzed US field data to identify quality problems and communicated to the appropriate factories in China and engineers in US/China. Analyzed field returns, helped identify root causes of failure and resolved issues by way of in-home visits, product teardown and service calls. Reduced cost of warranty returns and service claims. Provided 6-Sigma training (Thought / Product / Process Maps, sampling plan, MSE, SPC, control charts, DOE, COV, and reduction on variations) to Haier China team and empowered team members to apply knowledge learned to all US projects.

Carried US / China project teams from concept to production to field study and ensured new laundry product launch in US within projected timeline, under budget and in full compliance with industry and company standards. Launched various innovative projects including first compact laundry products in the US, UL compliant fire-retardant dryers, washers on casters (POC and POD), new top load laundry pair with frontal digital displays, and a top load laundry pair with OEM manufacturer out of Wuxi, China.

Built and took full ownership of an Engineering and Quality organization in Qingdao, China. Led all Quality/Engineering Excellence programs executed in organizations that perform PCBA, electro-mechanical assembly, metal stamping/forming, spot welding, plastic injection molding and final assembly. Established QC (IQC, LQC, and OQC) measures, initiated continuous improvement programs, put in place process control and led US/China Engineering team in resolving design and manufacturing related issues.

Set up process and product audit requirements including all documentation in English and in Chinese. Started out by performing all audits then mentored China team as well as used 3rd party (SGS) to do product audits, resulting in reduction of ~15% DOA (Dead on Arrival) and 25% product appearance-related issues.

S.C JOHNSON & SON, INC. Racine, Wisconsin, US

Senior Project Manager (Global Air Care) 2005 – 2010

Managed Oust® Top-of-funnel (TOF) platform by developing odor elimination technologies and gaining valuable consumer in-sights by designing internal chamber sniff-and-habituation test and participating in In-home use test (IHUTs) at 4 various locations covering different demographics in the US. Worked with 2 competing project teams with 2 different odor elimination technologies and made decision to go with the best technology leading to not only a successful launch in 2008 but new shelf space at major retail stores.

Innovation team leader in Wisp Glade battery-operated air freshener products. Developed close working relationship with overseas suppliers in Asia; resolved consumer product misuse through several consumer research studies and focus groups. Carried new product from concept selection to production, resulting in successful Wisp Glade air freshener product launches.

Pre-empted instant action air freshening (IAAF) markets for small space such as washroom and closet by researching materials and incorporating a modular design with existing mini-aerosol cans. Product was launched with PP material yet molding features were hidden / painted over for maximum visual benefits and aesthetics reasons.

Led effort to bring in-house Candle Large Scale Array (LSA) testing by working with Operations, Product Safety, Quality, Engineering and Facilities. Overcame poor candle burn quality by building consensus with team members on test setup and controlling of ambient conditions. Savings of US$0.3M in 2009.

BISSELL HOMECARE, INC. Hong Kong, China / Grand Rapids, Michigan, US

Joint Technical Team Leader (New Product Development) 2002 – 2004

Defined project requirements with Marketing and led cross functional team to execute “CatchAll” dry stick vacuum project from concept to production. Delivered product within budget in 9 months, generating expected revenues of $25M.

Developed Bissell’s first electric sweeper that accommodates to different debris sizes and floor types. Researched and developed a unique drive brush with bristle patterns that can pick up most debris with different size, weight and shape. Incorporated a bearing system that can prevent hair wrap of drive brush and thereby stalling of motor.

Worked with overseas supplier and launched “Bissell-to-go” sonic brush cleaning device for hard-to-remove stain spots. Target product use in laundry, cleaning inside of an automobile, dining, veterinary clinic and anywhere spills, dribs, dribbles and stains may result.

Wrote final paper (through company-sponsored MBA) and presented to Bissell’s senior management on Bissell’s Market Entry Strategy to China, focused on market segmentation/analysis and 4 P’s (product, place, price and promotion).

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION Shunde & Shanghai, China / St. Joseph, Michigan, US

Project Engineer (Dryer Platform Manufacturing) 1999 – 2002

Led product teardown and managed dryer sub-system to deliver product reengineering/process improvement projects resulting in total annual cost and quality savings of $650,000.

Worked with US appliance retailers to execute long vent dryer project for U.S. condominium market. Launched product within timeline and cost, design resulted in exceeding target sales of $55M.

Mechanical Engineer (Global Laundry Research & Development) 1997 – 1999

Examined market research results with Marketing and developed agitator washer with joint venture (JV) partner in China and US project team. Developed agitator and engineered washer components to achieve overall best-in-class wash performance.

Industrial Engineer (Logistics Department) 1996

Designed and conducted time-motion study plan on overall manufacturing process of microwave oven and presented recommendations on eliminating waste. Assessed throughput of final assembly line and improved process flow with 20% higher efficiency.

Assessed throughput of final assembly line and improved process flow by creating new sub-assembly lines which achieved 20% higher efficiency.

Education University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Michigan

MBA (Corporate Strategy), MSIE (Manufacturing), BSME (Class honors/Dean’s list) 2006, 1996, 1995

Additional License Engineer in Mechanical Engineering, Six Sigma, Native in Cantonese and Mandarin.

Contact this candidate