Anita Nissel
Engineering Manager
Dubois,PA
Summary
Experienced Engineering Manager with opportunity to cascade 20+ years engineering and lean manufacturing experience through participation in cross functional teams and drive continuous improvements through improved manufacturing, technology, equipment and business processes while mentoring a technical team to achieve individual and organizational potential. Ability to facilitate and drive actions to support corporate goals aligned to provide safety, quality, delivery, cost and teamwork, all while supporting budget profit goals for the organization's sustainable future.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Manufacturing Engineering Manager
Xylem Inc.
10.2022 - Current
- People leader and mentor: Lead a team of engineers for site strategic goal deployment and productivity improvements through lean transformation and automation implementation.
- Developed engineers through one on one communication, mentorship, regular performance reviews, recognition and coaching opportunities.
- Provided departmental gap trainings annually as well as individual growth opportunity trainings both onsite as well as external providers.
- System Advancements: Lead and facilitated a 53% reduction in inactive or obsolete standard instruction improvements.
- Managed all owned aspects of the Hoshin Strategy planning objectives through contributions and trainings utilizing parent project A3's, child project A3's and RCCA's within the manufacturing engineering department.
- Participated in the annual financial SOX audit process around physical inventory of all site, plant 1 and plant 2, fixed asset inventory. Managed and maintained fixed assets (equity and depreciation) for the site.
- Implemented the strategic development and deployment of the site CAPEX project portfolio. Managed the sites' CAPEX investment finances up to $2.6M annual spend in 2024.
- Coordinated a Xylem cross functional operations and manufacturing engineering leadership team to develop and implement a new Mfg Routing Standards and Capacity Planning procedure for the Xylem Americas.
Quality Manager
Xylem Inc.
10.2020 - 10.2022
- Implementation of Quality system processes to drive improvements and increased COGS by adding checkbook controls to monthly Material Review Board (MRB) scrap dispositions, vendor credit returns and customer return material authorization (RMA) turnaround.
- Coordinated and oversaw periodic audits to evaluate product quality and safety and address non-conformances through layered audit system and leadership standard work.
- Responsible for leading and mentoring a cross functional department consisting of 7 salary engineers and 7 indirect hourly technicians/inspectors, in total 14 direct reports.
- Facilitation and project management of the Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) processes; vendor/supplier PPAPs (Production Part Approval Process), engineering and continuous improvement changes and resource management.
- Implemented advancements in the Diaphragm meter accuracy correlation/intest inspection process with the end user customers (utility companies and distributors) utilizing statistical analysis tools within MiniTab software.
- Increased efficiency of the QMS by regularly reviewing procedures and making updates based on changing business needs or industry advancements.
- Successful completion of ISO 9001:2015 Re-accreditation adit in 2021.
- Successful completion of external regulatory audits: Measurement Canada Sealing Certification, SGS and CSA regulatory audits with minimal to no non-conformances.
- Implementation of product inspection Control Plans through Datamyte software.
Product Engineering Manager
Atlas Pressed Metals
05.2018 - 04.2020
- Coordinated with sales and marketing teams to identify customer needs and develop customized engineering solutions of powdered metal components.
- Reviewed technical documentation and product drawings for accuracy, ensuring compliance with industry standards.
- Responsible for leading a cross functional team of 8 technical direct reports; through the APQP processes, product engineering, process engineering, quality and automation and controls engineering.
Product Engineer
Keystone Powdered Metal, Div of Sumitomo Electric
03.2014 - 05.2018
- Product launch of Tier 1, Ford and General Motors powdered metal components for transmission and emergency braking assemblies.
- Interpreted blueprints, technical drawings, schematics and computer-generated reports for product conformance with engineering design and performance specifications of Ford and General Motors.
- Managed component project deliverables for new model year vehicle launches.
- Tested completed product parts for functionality and implemented changes to production methods to rectify issues in final products.
- Launched customer-driven design review process to enhance customer experiences and efficiency. Lead customer onsite visits at the manufacturing site as well as subcontractor facilities.
Site CI Leader (SCIL) & Lead Mfg Engineer
GKN Sinter Metals
05.2000 - 03.2014
- Certified Lean Facilitator, 2 year development program
- Developed and managed various cost reduction programs
- Participated in Sales and Operational Planning (S&OP), labor planning and overtime reduction processes
- Participated in APQP product launch processes
- Completed daily problem solving through tools such as Fishbone diagrams, 5-Why and 8D
- Implemented projects to drive down cost of non-quality, scrap and first time (first pass) yield.
- Project management and implementation of CAPEX (capital investment) projects as well as site cost reduction programs
- Designed conveyance, transitions, pneumatic part devices, magnetic units and end of arm tooling in AutoDesk Inventor.
- Developed standard work instructions and trainings for production supervisors, technicians and operators.
- Performed stress analysis on tooling and components through Structural ANSYS software
Education
Bachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering
Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA12.1999
Associate of Science - Business Administration
Pennsylvania State University
DuBois, PASkills
Workplace Skills:
- Strategic Planning, Capacity Planning, Return on Investment analysis
- Quality controls, APQP Processes, Root Cause Analysis (RCCA)
- Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement
- Leadership Standard work
- Fishbone diagram, 5-Why, 8D, RCCA, Problem Solving
- Value Stream Mapping, A3
- Project Management
- CAPEX and Decision-making skills
- Industrial Automation, Keyence systems, Cognex, FANUC robots, Bosch Conveyors
- CAD/3D design and blue print reading
Computer Skills:
- Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point and Project
- Office 365, Microsoft Teams, Zoom
- Salesforce, Helix, Team Guru, Sensei and Windchill
- ERP Systems: BPCS, BaaN/LAN and JobBoss
- FEA: ANSYS I and II
- MiniTab statistical software: Capability studies, Gage R-R and Design of Experiments (DOE)
- APQP: Datamyte, Flextop and MPact
- CAD: UniGraphics, Inventor, CREO
- CMMS Maintenance systems: MaintainX
- Database, Visual Factory, HMI: Microsoft SQL, PTC DPM ThingworX and Ignition software
Timeline
Manufacturing Engineering Manager
Xylem Inc.
10.2022 - Current
Quality Manager
Xylem Inc.
10.2020 - 10.2022
Product Engineering Manager
Atlas Pressed Metals
05.2018 - 04.2020
Product Engineer
Keystone Powdered Metal, Div of Sumitomo Electric
03.2014 - 05.2018
Site CI Leader (SCIL) & Lead Mfg Engineer
GKN Sinter Metals
05.2000 - 03.2014
Bachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering
Pennsylvania State University
Associate of Science - Business Administration
Pennsylvania State University