Manufacturing & Supplier Quality Leader
Resume:
Cuong (Kevin) Tran
Wallingford, CT 06492
Telephone: 860-***-****
Email: **********@*****.***
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
Highly accomplished leader with 25+ years of Manufacturing, Operations, Supply Chain and Quality experience in roles of increasing responsibilities. Extensive experience leading cross-organizational teams in the aerospace industry. Proven record of leading enterprise efforts to insource manufacturing processes and increase quality while reducing product life-cycle costs. Versatile skill sets in manufacturing and quality engineering with adaptability to changing manufacturing environments. Dedicated team player with a proven ability to motivate, lead and inspire teams to adopt and execute strategic and tactical enterprise goals.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
RTX Corporation / Pratt & Whitney, Middletown, Connecticut
Associate Director of Supplier Manufacturing Engineering - Global Supply Chain (November 2022 - Present)
Lead cross-functional teams responsible for manufacturing engineering, process improvement, materials selection, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance.
Direct supplier manufacturing engineering operations supporting product manufacturing, transitions, and sourcing across a global supply chain.
Develop and mentor engineering managers and staff in key technical disciplines critical to business success.
Serve as the primary technical liaison between suppliers and internal stakeholders, ensuring alignment on current and future manufacturing requirements.
Oversee supplier readiness for production, driving process capability and control through UPPAP and MRL tools such as PFMEA, process mapping, and MSA to mitigate risk in key supplier programs.
Evaluate supplier capabilities and execute improvement strategies to enhance quality, reduce cost, and ensure on-time delivery.
Associate Director of Supplier Quality & Development - Cold Section Module Center (December 2019 – November 2022)
Managed a team of Supplier Quality Managers and Quality Engineers supporting 200+ suppliers to drive quality improvements and performance excellence.
Led Cold Section Module Center (CSMC) supplier quality initiatives, achieving improvements in product quality, delivery timelines, and cost reductions.
Oversaw production readiness and capability assessments using UPPAP methodology to ensure robust supplier processes.
Identified and assessed suppliers for technical, quality and manufacturing capabilities and provide immediate short-term and long-term improvement strategies for improved cost, quality, and delivery.
Collaborated across the enterprise with other supplier quality managers to improve inspection processes and support lean transformation initiatives.
Facilitated and communicate to executive leadership team on supplier quality escape and execute closure plan to support production.
Senior Manager of Supplier Manufacturing Engineering - Fan & External Module Center (April 2014 - November 2019)
Supervised a team of eight manufacturing engineers supporting supplier performance improvements for critical components.
Provided technical coaching and direction for part transitions, supplier development, and root cause resolutions.
Coached and provided manufacturing technical support for supplier development, part transitions, source selections, and problem resolution plans. Identify any manufacturing risks in supplier technology programs.
Invoked and supported MRL (Manufacturing Readiness Level) to identify potential risk in critical components on the parts produce at the suppliers.
Led supplier process improvements through onsite technical support, enhancing quality, reducing costs, and promoting automation.
Managed cross-functional initiatives in support of NGPF and F135 production deliveries, ensuring project milestones and quality deliverables were met.
Oversaw timelines and budgets for core engineering projects, including FOH tracking, overhead reporting, and outsourcing support.
United Technologies Corporation / Sikorsky Aircraft, Stratford, Connecticut
Commodity Manager - Sikorsky Aerospace Services (December 2009 - April 2014)
Managed high value and critical projects to ensure completed on time and within budget for Aftermarket.
Developed production transition plans consisting of part, process qualification requirements and capacity analysis.
Investigated/resolved part reducibility issues and assisted with the improvement of processes, tools, and fixtures to support work transition and ongoing production.
Provided lean process assistance and technical manufacturing engineering leadership for suppliers to ensure flawless execution for on-time delivery, quality, cost & lead time reduction.
Responsible for SAS Tool Operations; including the creation of Tool Utilization Process Flow, disposition inactive tools to meet FAR requirements, and review of all supplier tools to support Spare Requirements.
Provided technical assistance to help facilitate strategic sourcing initiatives for SAS and ensure a smooth work transition into the supply base.
Resolved suppliers’ technical questions that resulted in 930K savings in 2012.
Industrial Engineering Manager - Assembly & Flight Operations (February 2007 - December 2009)
Responsible for all aspects of the aircraft cost and delivery for the Military and Commercial Aircraft Center including Final, Hangar and Paint Shop.
Supervised a team of 16 industrial engineers in support of Military and Commercial Assembly Center.
Developed manpower and skill mix requirements for multi-shift operations to support production schedules.
Implemented lean manufacturing strategies to improve process flow and reduce costs such as Value Stream Mapping and Standard Work.
Performed methods analysis ratio-delay studies, labor performance analysis, standard data development, and tool-rate analysis.
Employed daily and weekly reports detailing specific manufacturing labor cost metrics to identify and address issues pertaining to cost, schedule, and production.
Implemented metrics to track daily performance and milestones on aircraft that resulted in a 30% improvement on aircraft hours.
Operations Manager - Military and VH Finishes (March 2006 - February 2007)
Responsible for overall safety, quality, cost, and schedule for Presidential and Military Aircrafts.
Accountable for the budget, staffing and operational results, including overtime and direct/indirect costs incurred by salary and hourly employees (79 total)
Created standard work for UH-60M, HH-60M, MH-60R, and MH-60S process plans to improve cost and reduce lead time.
Contributed to EH&S objectives by proactively identifying potential issues and providing positive root cause problem identification reducing lost-time accidents by over 50% in a safety-first environment.
Aided in the development of forecasts, succession planning, inventory control plan, strategic development, lean transformation projects, and justification/acquisition of capital equipment.
Tracked key metrics including labor performance, cost per direct hour, cost of poor quality and delivery to MRP)
Sr Manufacturing Engineer - Precision Assembly (September 2003 - March 2006)
Developed process plans for five Manufacturing Business Units (Rotors, Transmissions, Servo, Driveshaft and Engine Shop).
Re-designed installation tool and a new method to install Tail Gearbox Seal to reduce leakage. Reduced leakage by 80% within five months.
Wrote MRB/Rework NMRR’s to fix the discrepancies. Reviewed Engineering Changes (EC) for producibility.
Manufacturing Engineer - Precision Machining (July 2001 - September 2003)
Designed processes, tools, and equipment. Wrote work instructions for machine shop operations.
Translated engineering design requirements into the formal manufacturing process.
Handled all of the engineering aspects of the Rotor and Transmission machined parts; procure various components and implement new processes for machined parts; create process plans and vellums.
Gibbs College, Farmington, Connecticut (June 2005 - June 2008)
Part-time Adjunct Professor – Department of Education
Designed and implemented lesson plans for Algebra and Basic College Math.
Encouraged a thought-provoking and respectful atmosphere in the classroom while in an alternative college environment; enforced all school policies and behavioral regulations.
EDUCATION
McKinsey’s Asian Leadership Academy (Jan 2022)
Asian Executive Leadership Program
Thayer Leadership (June 2021)
Executive Leadership Training
University of New Haven, West Haven, Connecticut (December 2009)
Master of Science Industrial Engineering
University of New Haven, West Haven, Connecticut (June 2004)
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (June 2001)
Bachelor of Science Mechanical Engineering
CERTIFICATIONS
Fundamental of Airfoils, November 2022 (University of Hartford)
Fundamentals of Industrial Metrology, March 2018 (University of Hartford)
RED X Training, 2015
UPPAP & PFMEA, 2015
Project Management Foundations, 2015
Tools and Techniques of Project Management, 2015
5 Star Supervisor Program, 2014
BAM UNIVERSITY, Master Edition, 2013
Basic Helicopter Concepts, 2011
Supply Management University (SMU), 2010
Earned Value Management Certification, 2010
UTC ACE Certification Program, Associate Level, 2009
Program Management Academy (PMA), 2009
Ergonomics Training for Engineers, 2002
Humantech’s Ergonomic Design, 2002
AWARDS
Pratt & Whitney - Rstars Achievement Award 2022, 2023
Pratt & Whitney - Special Award 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021
Pratt & Whitney - Eagle Award 2015, 2017
Sikorsky Aircraft - Performance Incentive Plan (PIP) 2009, 2012 and 2014
Sikorsky Aircraft 2008 EH&S Award (Implemented Non-Chromate Primer on Black Hawk Aircraft)
Sikorsky Special Awards in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2011 and 2013
Contact this candidate