VP, Global Operations & Quality

About Us:

We are committed to finding smart solutions that enable an intelligent and seamless world. Our success as a world-class leader in technology has evolved from humble beginnings. In 1896, the enterprising father and son team of A.J. and George A. Briggs partnered with S.A. Buffington, a Chicago lawyer, to establish Chicago Telephone Supply Company (later to become CTS).

Today, CTS is a leading designer and manufacturer of sensors, actuators, and electronic components for suppliers and original equipment manufacturers. We have over 20 locations in 12 countries and more than 3,500 employees. Our innovative sensing, connectivity, and motion solutions offer a diverse range of products across diversified end markets including transportation, medical, aerospace and defense, and industrial. We are at the forefront of supporting innovating life-changing technology, focusing on quality to keep people safe, healthy, and happy. 

 

 

Position Summary

Lead, direct and manage the worldwide SBU manufacturing operations with the highest focus on quality to attain corporate, business unit, product family, plant, and operations objectives. Developing and delivering a sustainable growth strategy, global standardization, and long-term footprint planning are key aspects to the success of the business unit. This will result in increased profitability and Return on Assets (ROA), optimized Working Capital and total customer satisfaction.  Responsible for the safe production of products that meet and exceed all the customer’s requirements. Scope of responsibility includes all Sensors & Mechatronic manufacturing, quality and logistic globally. Responsible for business unit strategies related to APQP, manufacturing, manufacturing engineering, global manufacturing footprint, service & low volume part strategy, materials, production tooling, logistic, and resulting quality. Ensure cross functional alignment of global manufacturing locations strategy with strategic business plans.  Maximize the utilization of business unit assets.  Monitor, review, and improve related business unit performance indicators as defined and agreed to. Take on special assignment.

 

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to business planning process, develop and communicate the manufacturing strategy, represent and drive manufacturing viewpoint into product design, ensure Design for Manufacturability (DFM) objectives are met prior to design freeze, drive manufacturing concept standardization in alignment with the design team, manufacturability and required technologies. Develop, lead, and implement business models for all manufacturing locations that support current and future business strategies.
• Leads regular site and manufacturing KPI reviews and resulting improvement initiatives, discusses and reviews the planning at the manufacturing locations, Value Stream Mapping (VSM) event review, prepares status updates for corporate review.  Develops plans to implement state of the art Lean Manufacturing System (e.g. Toyota Manufacturing System TMS) throughout SBU.
• Establishes quality strategic direction as part of the Business Plan, planned scrap reduction activities, and other activities aimed at reducing cost, improving product quality and increasing levels of customer satisfaction. These quality improvement strategies apply to production as well as to the TS16949 quality system.  Provide leadership on quality improvement activities in the SBU by following up on the execution of quality improvement activities, providing required technical, professional, and training resources, advising divisions on quality issues, and reinforcing the core values of variation reduction, root cause analysis, prevention of occurrence, and initial process capability.
• Act as the representative in residence to represent the manufacturing locations in business policy development.   Remove barriers between the locations and aids in developing effective communications across all functions globally. Develop a process to identify “best practices” throughout the SBU as it applies to manufacturing and logistics. Look for opportunities to standardize processes, policies, organization structure, and Key Performance Indicators (KPI) within all manufacturing locations.
• Review improvement and cost reduction project selection and progress in collaboration with cross functional team, provide direction on types of projects, collect and communicate the results, prepare updates for corporate review, work with finance to ensure the savings are genuine, and to incorporate the information into business plans. Develop and implement a Cost Improvement Program (CIP) that meets or exceeds business goals.
• Engage in training, coaching, selection, and developmen