Christopher Chapman
Travelers Rest,SC
Summary
Dynamic manufacturing leader with extensive experience at Proterra, Inc., driving quality assurance and operational excellence. Proven track record in implementing lean methodologies and fostering team collaboration to achieve production goals. Skilled in strategic leadership and continuous improvement, ensuring safety and efficiency in high-stakes environments.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Manufacturing
Phoenix EV
12.2024 - 02.2026
- Led 7 supervisors/managers and 100 associates, fostering a collaborative environment to achieve operational goals.
- Oversaw safety and quality initiatives for manufacturing team, ensuring compliance and enhancing product reliability.
- Managed facility-related corrective actions, addressing issues promptly to maintain operational integrity.
- Collaborated with vendors and suppliers to facilitate timely delivery of parts for production schedules.
- Work with cross-functional team to resolve manufacturing issues quickly
- Work with the Executive Team to determine schedules and budget plans
Senior Manager of Operations
Phoenix EV
02.2024 - 12.2024
- Oversaw safety and quality initiatives for manufacturing team, ensuring compliance with industry standards
- Manage supervisors, team leaders and associates within the established production standards and goals set forth by the Company
- Coordinated project schedules and build cycles for manufacturing team to align with production targets
- Work with cross-functional teams to ensure that products are built to quality standards
- Led initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and processes within the team
- Collaborated with leadership team to monitor and strategize budget allocation and expenditures
Senior Manager, Pre Production Operations
Proterra, Inc
Greenville, USA
01.2020 - 02.2024
- Oversaw safety and quality compliance across all operations
- Led fabrication team operations to ensure project timelines were met.
- Directed harness team activities to maintain workflow and meet project requirements.
- Coordinated build team to deliver projects on schedule
- Manage all project schedules
- Facilitated harness reworks and builds for service bulletins
- Greenville, SC
Supervisor, Engineering Build Team
Proterra, Inc
Greenville, USA
01.2017 - 01.2020
- Led build team to ensure adherence to safety and quality standards
- Oversaw engineering builds and projects to align with design specifications
- Executed projects based on prototype designs to support product development
- Give input for fit, form, and function of new to the world designs
- Greenville, SC
Quality Inspections Manager
Proterra, Inc
Greenville, USA
01.2015 - 01.2017
- Managed station inspections to ensure compliance with quality standards
- Managed zone inspections to uphold product integrity and safety
- Managed all sub assembly and battery build inspections
- Coordinated customer inspections and secured documented acceptance sign-offs for quality assurance
- Developed and implemented inspection process for manufacturing
- Developed and implemented training process for manufacturing associates
- Worked with QE, ME, and manufacturing team on quality issues that were identified during inspection process
- Greenville, SC
Interim Plant Manager
Proterra, Inc
Greenville, USA
01.2013 - 01.2015
- Manage all aspects of the manufacturing process including production, quality, manufacturing engineering, facilities maintenance. Oversee 100 hourly Associates and staff of 7.
- Provide leadership and direction for all aspects of the plant and effectively communicate company objectives and policies.
- Engaged Associates to prioritize safety, continuous improvement, and leading practices, achieving high-quality production and compliance with environmental, health, and safety standards.
- Develop and lead implementation of new manufacturing excellence initiatives, including strategic resource allocation, lean manufacturing principles, organization structure, production systems and techniques for improved efficiencies.
- Established procedures that ensured adherence to production schedules, product standards, and operational cost management.
- Set plant performance goals and objectives and then execute to achieve them, ensuring progress is made and corrective measures are taken as necessary.
- Greenville, SC
Senior Supervisor
Proterra, Inc
Greenville, USA
09.2012 - 09.2013
- Led 2nd shift direct labor associates in manufacturing facility, ensuring smooth operations and team alignment.
- Provided leadership for manufacturing Supervisors and Team Leads.
- Managed production teams by leading Team Leads to coordinate operations and activities within or between stations.
- Coordinated shift work schedules and overtime to meet bus move schedules.
- Resolved production, quality, and tooling issues affecting current and future production schedules, maintaining operational continuity.
- Worked with manufacturing staff to identify and implement training in job-related skills for Associates.
- Recommended and implemented initiatives for new techniques, products, equipment purchases, and staffing adjustments to enhance operational capabilities.
- Greenville, SC
Team Lead
Proterra, Inc
Greenville, USA
05.2012 - 09.2012
- Directed Associates in the Weld Shop and 1st Station for the operation of an all-electric bus.
- Met daily production plans by setting priorities and coordinating resolutions to production issues.
- Enforced safety and 5S guidelines.
- Coordinated shift schedules and overtime to align with bus move timelines.
- Recommended and implemented new techniques and products to enhance operations.
- Worked with manufacturing management to identify and implement training in job-related skills for Associates.
- Greenville, SC
Welder
Heckman Welding
Duncan, USA
01.2011 - 01.2012
- Welded and assembled metal components to pressure vessels/boiler tubes while following all safe work practices.
- Welded in flat and vertical planes (all positions welding).
- Executed precision pipe welding on various projects.
- Fabricated heavy wall tubes to specifications for industrial use.
- Sourced and procured necessary parts and materials for projects.
- Duncan, SC
Team Lead
Proterra, Inc
Greenville, USA
01.2010 - 01.2011
- Led team in Weld Shop, Pro-Drive, and Fabrication areas during start-up of all-electric bus operation.
- Greenville, SC
- Led team in implementing safety protocols and best practices.
- Coordinated daily operations to ensure efficient workflow and productivity.
- Trained new staff on company policies and operational procedures.
Assembler 'A'/Crane Operator
General Electric
Greenville, USA
01.1999 - 01.2009
- Assembled frame size gas and wind turbines, ensuring quality and precision in construction.
- Ensured adherence to blueprint and bill of materials specifications for tubing, conduit runs, electrical processes, and technical support.
- Monitored and enforced safety protocols on job site to maintain a safe working environment.
- Greenville, SC
Education
Graduated - Fluor Daniel Welding School
Greenville Technical College
Greenville, SC01-2010
High School - general studies
Easley High School
Skills
- Manufacturing operations management
- Quality control
- Lean methodologies and 5S
- P&L responsibility
- Logistics management
- Operational planning
- Health and safety accountability
- Continuous improvement
- Procedure development
- Strategic leadership
- Change management
- Manufacturing technologies
- Product development
- Team building and consensus building
Phone
cell, (864) 787-9179
Certification
- Fluor Daniel Weld Certification
AWS Weld Certification
FMEA Certification
APQP Certification
PPAP Certification
OSHA Certification
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
Manager Training Certification
ASME Certification
Timeline
Director of Manufacturing
Phoenix EV
12.2024 - 02.2026
Senior Manager of Operations
Phoenix EV
02.2024 - 12.2024
Senior Manager, Pre Production Operations
Proterra, Inc
01.2020 - 02.2024
Supervisor, Engineering Build Team
Proterra, Inc
01.2017 - 01.2020
Quality Inspections Manager
Proterra, Inc
01.2015 - 01.2017
Interim Plant Manager
Proterra, Inc
01.2013 - 01.2015
Senior Supervisor
Proterra, Inc
09.2012 - 09.2013
Team Lead
Proterra, Inc
05.2012 - 09.2012
Welder
Heckman Welding
01.2011 - 01.2012
Team Lead
Proterra, Inc
01.2010 - 01.2011
Assembler 'A'/Crane Operator
General Electric
01.1999 - 01.2009
Graduated - Fluor Daniel Welding School
Greenville Technical College
High School - general studies
Easley High School