Brenda Schultz
Farmington Hills,MI
Summary
Experienced Program Manager with a proven history in managing projects in the automotive industry. Committed to efficiency and effectiveness through developing processes, streamlining procedures, and identifying innovative solutions. Adept at managing multiple programs while meeting tight deadlines.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Program Management - Wheel Commodity Lead
Ford Motor Company
Dearborn, MI
05.2018 - 10.2022
- Led all Vehicle Personalization (VP) new wheel development for over 95 different wheels concurrently, from initial concept through launch; Reduced wheel development time by 8 weeks
- Managed multiple strategic projects with numerous sub-projects or workstreams, working globally with engineers, suppliers, finance, and purchasing to establish, publish, and manage project metrics to insure quality execution
- Orchestrated smooth and efficient program development by collaborating cross-functionally across departments (engineering, purchasing, quality)
- Create timelines, coordinate action plans, manage issues to develop programs on time and at targeted financials
- Conducted regular technical meetings and program briefings for corporate management and customer personnel
Service Information Development Engineer
Ford Motor Company
Dearborn, MI
04.2015 - 05.2018
- Established processes to enable efficient, quality and on-time development and release of workshop and systems manuals (WSM), wiring diagrams, technical training, owner information, technical communications, and service labor time standards
- Managed Odyssey system improvements (IT based) – streamlined translation process to leverage translation memory and Implemented new Odyssey Governance Process for better alignment of work; decreased translation costs by 8%
- Led biweekly Lead Vehicle Engineering Activity (LVEA) meetings and facilitated coordination of regional WSM creation
- Collaborated with design engineers to support product specifications and functional robustness
Technical Learning Specialist - Core Competencies
Ford Motor Company
Dearborn, MI
10.2011 - 09.2014
- Developed and implemented optimized and unique learning plans and training events to help engineers obtain 24 average hours of learning annually
- Created new technical training courses and established a unique communication process that single-handedly increased the number of training participants by 10%
- Conducted “needs identification” for each department and developed appropriate training based on organization competency evaluations
PMT – Program Module Team Integration
Ford Motor Company
Dearborn, MI
01.2005 - 10.2011
- Led interior team of Design Engineers to complete program developmental targets on time and within budget
- Led suppliers through all required FMVSS & NHTSA testing and certification
- Identified issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to problems
- 100% of interior components successfully delivered for vehicle launch
Design Engineer
Ford Motor Company
01.2002 - 12.2004
- Designed and tested interior automotive components (headliner, carpet, NVH) to meet all cost and weight targets, as well as FMVSS and NHTSA certification standards
- Designed and implemented a cost effective 3rd grab handle and completed testing within 2 months; $3.72 savings per average vehicle
- Supported engineering design development through analysis and simulation of prototypes and 3D computer models.
Cost Engineer
Ford Motor Company
Dearborn, MI
06.1999 - 03.2001
- Assisted program teams with meeting material cost reduction (MCR) targets via cutaway benchmarking events, assessing Ford and competitive vehicles to determine trends for automotive systems
- Created a new MCR tool (Auto Show Benchmarking), presented it to a steering committee, obtained authorization and funding, then flawlessly executed internationally on Transit program and generated $27 savings per affected average vehicle
- Worked with engineers, designers, purchasers, and suppliers on changes and adjustments to cost estimates
Industrial Engineer
Ford Motor Company
Dearborn, MI
12.1997 - 06.1999
- Suggested labor saving ideas and oversaw labor optimization efforts in order to achieve program affordable targets; Implemented 66 minute labor save for a vehicle line
- Established, maintained, evaluated, tracked, and reported program labor status
- Facilitated continuous improvement actions with other Ford activities and processes
- Developed a global standardized matrix and database for recording labor savings ideas from all vehicle programs for incorporation into future programs
- Designed and implemented a secure website for the Global Industrial Engineering department
Manufacturing Engineer
Ford Motor Company
Dearbon, MI
09.1994 - 12.1997
- Developed manufacturing process and tooling requirements for Body Closures, specifically door and fender assemblies, in compliance with engineering specifications manuals
- Designed checking and holding fixtures for door and fender assemblies, verifying that both manufacturing and assembly locators were included.
- Utilized BIW/matching fixture to improve margin/flushness of sheet metal assemblies, coordinating all CMM programs for exterior components, including plastic components; resolved quality issues with fixture itself and plug gauges
- Managed programs from initial cost estimating through design, build, and installation of tooling at plant, while maintaining program budget and timing schedules
- Participated in Simultaneous Engineering with Design Engineers and Product planning to ensure feasible design for manufacturing
- Maintained manufacturing engineering process sheets and illustrations, and followed engineering changes to make tooling revisions on affected process tooling
- Provided plant assistance to resolve process and / or tooling concerns via recommendation of specific corrective actions
Education
Master of Business Administration - Management Information Systems
Oakland University
Auburn HillsBachelor of Science - Engineering, Materials Science And Mechanics, Biomedical Engineering, French Language And Literature.
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MISkills
- Team Leadership
- Agile Project Management
- Planning and Prioritization
- Time & Cost Management
- Critical Thinking
- Budget Preparation
- Scheduling and Coordinating
- Training and Development
- Proposal Development
- Project Creation
- Industrial Engineering
- Quality Assurance
Languages
French
Limited Working
Timeline
Program Management - Wheel Commodity Lead
Ford Motor Company
05.2018 - 10.2022
Service Information Development Engineer
Ford Motor Company
04.2015 - 05.2018
Technical Learning Specialist - Core Competencies
Ford Motor Company
10.2011 - 09.2014
PMT – Program Module Team Integration
Ford Motor Company
01.2005 - 10.2011
Design Engineer
Ford Motor Company
01.2002 - 12.2004
Cost Engineer
Ford Motor Company
06.1999 - 03.2001
Industrial Engineer
Ford Motor Company
12.1997 - 06.1999
Manufacturing Engineer
Ford Motor Company
09.1994 - 12.1997
Master of Business Administration - Management Information Systems
Oakland University
Bachelor of Science - Engineering, Materials Science And Mechanics, Biomedical Engineering, French Language And Literature.
Michigan State University
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