Lead Customer Quality Systems Engineer
Resume:
BIREN PATEL
Gilberts, Illinois 60136
************@*****.***
************@*****.***
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Lead supplier or Customer Quality Engineer /Lead Quality System Engineer with Six Sigma Black belt with over (23) years of Customer / Supplier Quality and Quality System’s experience. Responsibilities and experience include the following:
Supplier /Customer Quality system implementation and management (IATF 16949, PPAP, APQP & CQI 9).
Thorough knowledge of correction actions,
Evaluate new applications/opportunities, review inquiries against manufacturing capability, communicate customer expectations to plant, and review cross application proposals.
Responsible for review and analysis of customer complaints, claim settlements and material disposition, including review of material at customer locations.
Coordinate quality problem resolution with manufacturing plants and participate in problem solving.
Provide technical support to stamping plants, develop good relationships.
Communicate and contribute to new technical developments for customer and market.
Understand mill product quality standards, capabilities and limitations.
Familiar with ASTM and industry standards.
Review and approve customer specifications and requirements.
Accurately communicate problems to mills and establish containment and disposition.
Familiar with Axiom, SAP, Level3, Advanced Microsoft office and Minitab software. Very adaptable to mill data systems as needed.
Maintained 3rd Party Registration to ISO 9001, IATF 16949, ISO 14001, ISO 18001 and ISO 17025 A2la
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
December 2020 to current
CLEVELAND CLIFFS STEEL, LLC, - -USA CORP CTS /QUALITY
Lead Technical Customer Engineer
Resolved customer complaints while minimizing claims at a cost savings to the company.
Partnered with our customers to consume problem material where possible.
Regularly visited key customers including Ford, Tesla and GM to better understand complex issues on at customer locations.
Coordinated Veriflat System project for material to verify the flatness both before and after leveling.
Worked with Quality Assurance Team at Mill & R& D to gain mill upgrade support for improved shape and leveling on all AHSS products.
Solved issue at Automotive OEM on AHSS for flatness or bendability (Process Change to include a leveling process step)
Continued lead role on the major OEM project for AHSS.
Developed new process flow for AHSS for cost savings and Continuous improvements.
Provide ongoing customer support for identifying cost savings based on extensive experience.
Utilized old inventory for cross application when customers needed material.
Assisting customers with flatness/shape issues on AHSS or High strength materials to preserve market share.
Providing ongoing Customer Technical Service leadership to the Mill’s, Product Development and the R & D Team for new chemistry or Mechanical’s trials.
Problem solving with IH Product Development and the R & D Team.
Assume prime management responsibility for Technical Service activities at assigned accounts and potential accounts.
Visit customers and work to optimize the use of Company products.
Develop customer relationships with key production/technical personnel.
Manage customer claims and respond to field issues/concerns.
Understand internal technical resources and leverage them in support of customer expectations.
Report significant customer technical issues to all levels of the business.
Lead and/or support New Product Development within Cleveland Cliffs Steel as well as partnering with the customer.
Review Material Design Sheets for relevancy and accuracy.
Act as a technical resource for the Sales function (both Inside and Outside Sales).
Use technical savvy to understand customer specifications in detail to be able to flag potential chemistry or process issues that would hinder the business’s ability to make a quality product.
Manage the expectations of the customer by reviewing specifications to determine feasibility of the requirements for the customer application.
Recommend process improvements to the customer’s process or business’s manufacturing process to support the product offering to the end customer.
Arrange technical meetings between the customer and Production quality and technical functions as needed to improve or develop products or solve specific issues.
Develop strong technical relationships with customers to work through issues. Influence and suggest improvements for customer’s processes to make Cleveland Cliffs product work.
Follow Environmental, Quality and Safety Management System procedures and requirements.
Responsible for creating and maintaining quality documentation and Perform internal lead audits for ISO 9001, ISO 17025 (A2la) and IATF 16949
Drive Failure analysis with Processor’s to resolve product quality issue from customer’s
May 2015 to current
ARCELORMITTAL STEEL, LLC, - -USA QUALITY
Sr. Technical Customer Engineer
Resolved customer complaints while minimizing claims at a cost savings to the company.
Partnered with our customers to consume problem material where possible.
Regularly visited key customers including Ford, Tesla and GM to better understand complex issues on at customer locations.
Coordinated Veriflat System project for material to verify the flatness both before and after leveling.
Worked with Quality Assurance Team at Mill & R& D to gain mill upgrade support for improved shape and leveling on all AHSS products.
Solved issue at Automotive OEM on AHSS for flatness or bendability (Process Change to include a leveling process step)
Continued lead role on the major OEM project for AHSS.
Developed new process flow for AHSS for cost savings and Continuous improvements.
Provide ongoing customer support for identifying cost savings based on extensive experience.
Utilized old inventory for cross application when customers needed material.
Assisting customers with flatness/shape issues on AHSS or High strength materials to preserve market share.
Providing ongoing Customer Technical Service leadership to the Mill’s, Product Development and the R & D Team for new chemistry or Mechanical’s trials.
Problem solving with IH Product Development and the R & D Team.
Assume prime management responsibility for Technical Service activities at assigned accounts and potential accounts.
Visit customers and work to optimize the use of Company products.
Develop customer relationships with key production/technical personnel.
Manage customer claims and respond to field issues/concerns.
Understand internal technical resources and leverage them in support of customer expectations.
Report significant customer technical issues to all levels of the business.
Lead and/or support New Product Development within ArcelorMittal Steel as well as partnering with the customer.
Review Material Design Sheets for relevancy and accuracy.
Act as a technical resource for the Sales function (both Inside and Outside Sales).
Use technical savvy to understand customer specifications in detail to be able to flag potential chemistry or process issues that would hinder the business’s ability to make a quality product.
Manage the expectations of the customer by reviewing specifications to determine feasibility of the requirements for the customer application.
Recommend process improvements to the customer’s process or business’s manufacturing process to support the product offering to the end customer.
Arrange technical meetings between the customer and Production quality and technical functions as needed to improve or develop products or solve specific issues.
Develop strong technical relationships with customers to work through issues. Influence and suggest improvements for customer’s processes to make ArcelorMittal’s product work.
Follow Environmental, Quality and Safety Management System procedures and requirements.
July 2008 to May 2015
ARCELORMITTAL STEEL, LLC, Riverdale, IL
Sr. Quality System Engineer
Handle responsibilities of maintaining current quality systems and maintained 3rd party Registration to ISO 9001:2015 ISO 17025:2005, IATF 16949, ISO 14001:2004 and ISO 18001:2007
Develops and maintains statistical process controls (SPC), process capability, Pareto analysis and plans.
Performs root cause analysis and implements corrective and preventive actions to driving process improvements to include Lean and Six Sigma methodologies
Ensure product quality of assigned product/project to the customer's expectations
Handle responsibilities of implementing and maintaining the quality management system thru MQ1 Software.
Setup the testing Chemistry laboratory with equipment, standards, procedures and processes to meet ASTM, and/or customer standards/requirements
Creates and maintains SOP’s, WI’s, Product Specifications, forms and all other quality documents for Lab.
Evaluate current quality data collection systems and recommend improvements including determining the feasibility via Minitab and six sigma software systems
Responsible for creating and maintaining quality documentation and perform internal audits for ISO 9001, 14001 and TS 16949
Conduct employee performance evaluations and provide appropriate guidance and management.
Interface with third-party registrar and facilitate management reviews as per ISO requirements.
Perform internal ISO, EMS, Safety audits and provide necessary coaching to other organizations within the company to achieve the goal
Handled a team of three employees in laboratory department and supervised their work
Developed and provided data and quality review to senior management team.
Monitored the Key Performance Indicators to effect change and coordinated the Continuous Improvements.
Acknowledged skill in existing program and systems evaluation, documentation, and gap analysis leading to improvements.
Ability to read, analyze and interpret technical procedures, industry standard or ASTM/SAE or governmental regulations
Nov 2007 to July 2008
WOODWARD GOVERNOR, Rockford, IL
Supplier Quality Engineer
Develop, operates and maintains supplier audit system which assures approved supplier quality levels and standards to meet or exceed customer’s expectations.
Leads and drives Supplier quality Assurance program with improvements.
Develops and maintains Supplier PPAP, statistical process controls (SPC), process capability, Pareto analysis and plans.
Performs root cause analysis and implements corrective and preventive actions.
Manages the Successful resourcing of current product or process approval of new product utilizing the tool of APQP.
Maintain Supplier PPAP, FMEA, Flow Charts and Control Plan as per Customer requirements.
Measures supplier quality performances according to documented procedures and drive appropriate improvements to meet established targets.
Facilitates regular communications between manufacturing plants and suppliers to resolve supplier quality related issues as required.
Responsible for all technical inquires and manufacturing concerns and customer complaints.
Manages select set of suppliers and interface with plant customers.
Drive Quality, delivery and productivity improvement by improving Supplier processes.
Conduct quality plan audit on annual basis, driving improvement within the supply base to satisfy world class quality expectation.
Analyzes incoming material quality data and implement corrective action plans for improvement.
Implements supply chain improvement with focus on lead time, cost and cycle time reductions.
Proactive leadership during problem solving activities for supplier issue.
Support plant level quality issue as occur, working proactive with Supplier and ensure issue does not occur with other products/Suppliers.
Manage the transfer and set up of new products to manufacturing site. Provide the required training and documentation.
Drive Failure analysis with suppliers to resolve product quality issue and filed claim with Suppliers.
Collect/Analyze /Report supplier metrics and supplier ratings.
Re-structured the Quality Management System to a Process Approach compliant to ISO-9001 and AS-9100
Review risk management assessments as input to investigations and communicate potential risks of non-compliance or non-conformance
November 2004 to Nov 2007
MATERIAL SCIENCES CORPORATION (MSC), Elk Grove Village, IL
Corp. Supplier Quality Engineer
Develop, operates and maintains supplier audit system which assures approved supplier quality levels and standards to meet or exceed customer’s expectations.
Leads and drives Supplier quality Assurance program with improvements.
Develops and maintains Supplier PPAP, statistical process controls (SPC), process capability, Pareto analysis and plans.
Performs root cause analysis and implements corrective and preventive actions.
Manages the Successful resourcing of current product or process approval of new product utilizing the tool of APQP.
Maintain Supplier PPAP, FMEA, Flow Charts and Control Plan as per Customer requirements.
Measures supplier quality performances according to documented procedures and drive appropriate improvements to meet established targets.
Facilitates regular communications between manufacturing plants and suppliers to resolve supplier quality related issues as required.
Responsible for all technical inquires and manufacturing concerns and customer complaints.
Manages select set of suppliers and interface with plant customers.
Drive Quality, delivery and productivity improvement by improving Supplier processes.
Conduct quality plan audit on annual basis, driving improvement within the supply base to satisfy world class quality expectation.
Analyzes incoming material quality data and implement corrective action plans for improvement.
Implements supply chain improvement with focus on lead time, cost and cycle time reductions.
Proactive leadership during problem solving activities for supplier or Customer issue.
The responsibility of the Supplier Engineer is to act as a liaison within the business and to work with the Sales, Planning and Production functions, as well as other key areas to identify and explain technical issues as they relate to production capabilities for specific applications
Participate in customer cost savings activities and arrange trials at customer.
Overall responsibility for review and analysis of customer complaints, claim settlements, and corrective action process
Feb 2000 to Nov 2004
FPM HEAT TREATING, Elk Grove Village, IL
Corporate Quality Engineer
Managed and facilitated the development and implementation of ISO 9001:2000, TS 16949, AS 9100, ISO 17025 and Nadcap.
Establishes controls to maintain process capability and ensure product quality.
Develops and maintains statistical process controls (SPC), process capability, Pareto analysis and plans.
Performs root cause analysis and implements corrective and preventive actions.
Initiate and conduct weekly Material Review Board meetings to supports the preventive/corrective program, including disposition of non-conforming materials, address/implement 8D action, review continuous improvements.
Develop PPAP, FMEA, Flow Charts and Control Plan as per automotive requirements.
Conduct the Internal/Process Audits and development new process and operating procedures.
Manage Supplier /Customer PPAP and Supplier /Customer Audit and Survey.
Coordinated the APQP process for NEW Automotive contracts, and performed the required QE support (i.e., Control Plans, Process Capabilities, FMEAs, Gage R&Rs, PPAP Submissions, etc
EDUCATION
Master of Science in Industrial Management - Emphasis in Quality and Manufacturing, May 2008
Northern Illinois University (NIU), DeKalb, IL GPA 3.60/4.00
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering May 2002
Northern Illinois University (NIU), Dekalb, IL 60115
Six Sigma Black Belt, NIU/BIS Sep 2006
CERTIFICATIONS & ADDITIONAL COURSEWORK
16 Hour ISO 9001:2000 Internal Auditor Training Course, Oct 2001
32 Hours TS 16949:2002 Internal Auditor Training Course including PPAP, Feb 2006
40 Hours ISO 17025 :2005 Lead Auditor Training, August 2008
40 Hours ISO 14001 EMS Lead Auditor Training, 2009
Project Management, Jan 2006
Root Cause and Problem-Solving Training, Nov, 2009
40 Hours Metallurgy for Professionals Hot Rolling, October 2010
40 Hours for Completion of Metallurgy Liquid Steel, June 2010
16 hours 49 CFR Hazardous Material Transportation Training, 2007
24 hours Metallurgy for Professionals- Solidification – October 2009
RAB/QSA Certified Internal Auditor for Quality /EMS Management system – July 2011 – No 113901
40 Hours OHSAS 18001:2007 RAB/QSA Lead Auditor Training, August 2011
Accreditation /Criteria Council of the American Association for Laboratory – A2LA –Current
32 Hours Spectrometer (OES) OXSAX Training by ARL – November 2013
40 Hours Metallurgy: Cold Rolling & Annealing Tomorrow – July 2019
40 Hours Metallurgy Hot Dip Coating – September 2019
40 Hours training class on Formability on AHSS -August 2019
24 Hours training class on Defect ology on AHSS – December 2019
Manager Training - September 2023
ACTIVITIES
Society of Automotive Engineers
American Society of Quality (ASQ) -Senior Member
Accreditation Council of the A2LA – Current
Criteria Council of the A2LA – Current
Testing Material Group from A2la – Current Member
U.S. Citizen
References shall be furnished upon request.
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