Chris Kay

AS9100 certified contract manufacturer for the defense and aerospace industry

Responsible for executing manufacturing and engineering projects ranging up to $1M dollars in value ensuring execution to budget and schedule while maintaining tight adherence to aerospace quality standards.

• Developed statements of work, budget estimates, work plans and schedules.
• Determined operational process flow maps for project execution with standardize project defining documentation.
• Established effective communication and coordinated with both internal and external customers like engineers, technicians, management, support staff and clients.
• Extensive technical/specification review to ensure deliverables met demanding quality or regulatory requirements.
• Prioritized tasks according to urgency, resource availability, and alignment with critical path.
• Sourced, vetted and managed contractors/suppliers.
• Identified risks to budget, schedule and delivery and took mitigating actions as needed.
• Provided detailed technical and operational direction to project challenges

Industry leader in adventure van conversions with a focus on customization and quality

Established and lead the engineering department providing design layouts, components, assemblies and manufacturing process improvements for adventure van conversions.

• Defined project deliverables with customers and developed execution plans

• Contributed to and supported production increase of 50% in 2 years

• Hired and developed team members

• Created documentation and procedures defining production processes

• Continuously improved engineering output quality reducing errors and improving overall manufacturing/project efficiency

Global manufacturer of saw chain, outdoor products, industrial and power equipment

Managed over 50 pieces of high volume production equipment and processes to maximize capacity, efficiency and reliability. Implemented new equipment, techniques and technology projects of varying scope.

• Used lean concepts and statistical process control to eliminate production process inefficiencies

• Provided ergonomic processes for the safety of employees

• Implemented equipment and process improvements totaling over $200k in annual savings

• Achieved all time high in department units per labor hour

• Realized 21% average increase in machine mean time between failure

• Managed development and qualification of $750k custom machine build

• Introduced department level total productive maintenance/OEE program

• Developed and supported machine vision and robotic production systems

Worked independently and with senior engineers to design, 3D model and execute custom solutions of varying scope for manufacturing customers.

• Collaborated with cross-functional team of engineers and technicians to achieve common automation project goals.

• Designed, prototyped and debugged mechanical assemblies

• Coordinated with engineering team, machinists and vendors to ensure quality, cost and delivery of project deliverables

• Used critical thinking and problem solving skills to generate practical solutions to challenges

• Provided detailed status reviews with stakeholders and customers