Ben Ruhala
Summary
- Global Program Manager responsible for future Electrification Programs
- Experienced in all program management processes & tools, including the vehicle development process and engineering release activities.
- Proficient in developing, leading and presenting leadership presentations and solving complex program
- Considered subject matter expert in Program Management and Engineering Release.
- Globally traveled leading systems and process rollout and consolidation training > 10k
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Global Program Manager - Chevy Equinox EV
General Motors Corporation
01.2019 - Current
- Leading and executing with 1st time quality >$500M Major Chevy Equinox EV program
- Align and incorporate market & voice of customer into a winning GM Vehicle
- Leading and executing 1st GVDP 7.0 EV program (~1/2 vehicle timing reduction)
- Manage, mentor and develop Assistant Program managers
- Lead and facilitate cross functional Program Execution Team (PET)
- Responsible for establishing timing and managing all program imperatives
Global Program Manager - Chevy Bolt EV & Volt
General Motors Corporation
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Lead and managed Chevy Bolt EV and Chevy Volt cross functional Program Execution Teams
- Lead and executed 1st time quality gate reviews for $126M Chevy Bolt Mid Cycle Enhancement
- Developed Marketing Analysis, and Insights (MAI) deck to incorporate the voice of the customer)
- Managed and led Lifecycle approvals for the Electric Vehicle team (2017, 2018, 2019)
- Drove year of year reduction in Program Content Changes within the Electric Vehicle Team, Global Program Management (GPM)
Cross Carline Global Program Management Lead
General Motors Corporation
04.2014 - 08.2017
- Responsible for all related Program Manager Documentation & Lead highly complex cross-functional global processes and tool initiatives
- Led Launch of next generation Product Content Change Request System – Trained 1500 people
- Lead and facilitate Executive Director's Staff Meeting and GPPM Operations Meeting
- Lead approval of 33 Special Edition cross vehicle packages ~$30M of revenue
- Simplified regulatory change process reducing 40 hours of work for a 160 Program Managers
- Developed Momentum vehicle timing system to enhance program risk avoidance
- Developed Exterior Color Value Stream Process resulting in a $200M savings
Assistant Program Manager - Corvette
General Motors Corporation
01.2013 - 04.2014
- Managed $2.4B program content documentation; including PPC/CR/DN's and GVDP plans to assure build, launch and direct margin requirements were met
- Drove $35M additional revenue by leading approval of highly intricate special package(s)
- Identified over 175K savings through low volume parts list initiative resulting in 5%-part reduction and the approval of the MY2018 life cycle plan
- Participated and interacted in multiple customer events to understand the voice of the customer
Engineering Release Department Supervisor/Manager/Project Lead
General Motors Corporation
05.2000 - 12.2012
- Managed, led and mentored 100 employees in all Engineering Release activities
- Generated $8-10M savings per year leading the development and implementation of the gmLogic Tool that error proofs part usage release requirements
- Managed a billion possible vehicle build combinations for 45 North American VDS Programs
- Generated $10M in cost avoidance per year through managing a quality parts list release (500M usages) using Cross-Balance tools, Invalid Model Code and compare reports, EWO audit tools, root cause analysis and developing corrective action plans
- Trained over 10,000 employees on systems to processes to improve efficiencies and productivity
- Created and trained over 5,000 Engineering employees on the first global Vehicle Change Approval Process (CAB/EIT) implemented October 10, 2000
- Reduced operating expenses by 20% by developing, deploying and training all of Engineering on the first electronic Global Engineering Work Order System (E2), eliminating EWO writers
- Reduced operating expenses by 50%
- Managed $2M per year highly complex IT projects budget
- Reduce headcount by 50% by eliminating dual release between Powertrain and Vehicle
- Standardized all VDS/Parts List procedures globally as the Global VDS and Master Parts list SME
- Led Car and Truck convergence of resources and process so support ISO 9000 requirements
Senior Specification Analyst and Department Trainer
General Motors Corporation
08.1989 - 05.2000
- Led and collaborated with Engineers to release part for several Mid Size car programs
- Was hired GM direct in December 1998
- Trained in all GM release systems including GPDS & MGO
Education
MBA - Business Administration
New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)
New York, NY08.2003
BBA - Accounting
University of Michigan - Flint
Flint, MI08.1987
Skills
- Complex cross functional problem solving
- Leading cross functional teams
- Leadership Gate Review documentation & communication
- Mentoring and training
- Leading change
Certification
- Certified Go Fast Coach
- GMS Workshop facilitator
- DFSS trained
Musician
Leader of a Classic Rock All GM Band - All Ben's Fault
Timeline
Global Program Manager - Chevy Equinox EV
General Motors Corporation
01.2019 - Current
Global Program Manager - Chevy Bolt EV & Volt
General Motors Corporation
01.2018 - 01.2019
Cross Carline Global Program Management Lead
General Motors Corporation
04.2014 - 08.2017
Assistant Program Manager - Corvette
General Motors Corporation
01.2013 - 04.2014
Engineering Release Department Supervisor/Manager/Project Lead
General Motors Corporation
05.2000 - 12.2012
Senior Specification Analyst and Department Trainer
General Motors Corporation
08.1989 - 05.2000
MBA - Business Administration
New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)
BBA - Accounting
University of Michigan - Flint
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