Christopher Nowak
Lapeer,MI
Summary
Dynamic program and project manager with a proven track record of delivering high-quality products and driving successful project outcomes. Expertise in leveraging strong organizational and leadership skills to enhance team performance and ensure alignment with strategic goals. Committed to continuous improvement and professional growth, seeking a challenging position that fosters innovation and enables the application of advanced project management methodologies. Prepared to contribute to organizational success while advancing career objectives in a fast-paced environment.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Project Manager / Senior Supervisor
Van Horn Truck Parts & Repair, Rochester, MI
Rochester, MI
01.2016 - Current
- Senior operations department director.
- Lead service operations process planner.
- Interaction with customers, program managers and plant managers, procurement analysts.
- Customers included: Ford, General Motors, Kenworth, Mack, Peterbilt, International, Oshkosh.
- Implemented and presented sales layouts for current and future projects including timelines, flowcharts, production methods, floor space requirements, quality requirements, and delivery rates internally, externally.
- Oversee all repair procedures to assure proper finished product ready for production.
- Integrated production schedules to meet supply and demand obligations with customers.
- Daily interaction with customers on a global scale for support of product information, logistics options, delivery schedules, and fulfillment scenarios.
- Responsible for all quotes, sales, procurement, customer service, logistics, accounting, shipping & receiving.
- Place purchase orders within the assigned lead time at or below the cost quoted to the customer.
- Negotiate cost, lead time and terms.
- Make sure materials arrive on time to support production demands.
- Maintain a stable supply of raw inventory and prevent stock out or expedited deliveries.
- Order, reschedule and cancel materials based on necessary production schedules.
- Hold monthly team meetings to review departmental performance against relevant data in order to promote organizational effectiveness and increase company profitability.
- Led cross-functional teams to deliver projects on time and within budget.
- Implemented process improvements that increased operational efficiency by streamlining workflows.
- Developed project plans, timelines, and resource allocations to ensure successful project execution.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors and suppliers to secure favorable terms for materials and services required for projects.
- Successfully managed multiple projects simultaneously by prioritizing tasks according to urgency, resource availability, and alignment with organizational goals.
- Established effective communication among team members for enhanced collaboration and successful project completion.
Senior Program Manager
Lapeer Industries Inc. Lapeer, MI
Lapeer, MI
01.2004 - 01.2014
- Lead program manager for manufacturing of defense, aerospace, wind energy, automotive equipment, details, assemblies, and fixtures.
- Responsible for (PLM) product lifecycle management including: planning, production scheduling, incoming / outgoing material, bills of material, shipping, design concepts, CNC machine tooling and fixturing, cost analysis, procurement, quoting and processing of program internally as well as with customers, and sub suppliers.
- Developed team strategies with manufacturing, research and development, quality systems, design, and accounting internally as well as externally (customers & suppliers).
- Designed and presented layouts for current and future projects including timelines, flowcharts, production methods, floor space requirements, quality requirements, and delivery rates internally, externally.
- Simultaneously managed and maintained 4 defense / aerospace contracts with superb results. Maintained an average of 98.9% customer on time delivery, 99.8% quality rating through proper planning and structured production methods.
- Daily interaction with: customers, program managers, subcontract administrators, procurement analysts, manufacturing departments, quality systems.
- Helped customers with engineering and manufacturing scenarios such as design ideas, drawing modifications, and methods of manufacturing resulting in 8% – 12% reduction in cost to the end customer the U.S. Army.
- Extensive knowledge of: Metal forming (ferrous and non-ferrous materials), C.N.C. laser cutting, water-jet, plasma, oxy-fuel cutting, horizontal and vertical C.N.C. mills, DFAR regulations, AWS standards, PPAP, MIL specifications, LEAN Manufacturing, ISO 9000:2001, AS9000, quality systems, 5 S programs and requirements.
- Well versed in coatings products and application methods including CARC paint applications, oil based, epoxy, and water-based applications, E-coating, and powder coating systems.
- Trained in the methods of pretreatment of substrates for coating applications. SSPC 1 – SSPC 10.
- Strong knowledge of material plating processes including: manganese phosphate, zinc plating, nickel plating, hard anodizing, and various other methods.
- Familiar with GD&T tolerance criteria, quality checking systems such as CMM checking stations, height gages, micrometers, calipers, pin gages, and many other various checking instruments.
- Designed and implemented weld, tooling, and checking fixtures with Auto CAD design software. Also, able to navigate drawings, models, or blueprints with SolidWorks design software.
- Initiated, maintained and completed profitable programs by assisting and completing milestones of over 3000 vehicles delivered on time to the United States Army. While implementing a production plan and schedule based on customers production requirements.
Manufacturing Manager / Manufacturing Service Technician
Industrial Automation L.L.C. Rochester Hills, MI
Rochester Hills, MI
01.2002 - 01.2004
- Lead manufacturing department supervisor of 20+ personnel.
- Responsible for scheduling start to completion of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd tier automotive secondary and assembly equipment programs.
- Lead service technician for installs and repair of custom assembly equipment.
- Interaction with customers, program managers and plant managers.
- Customers included: Ford, General Motors, Toyota, Plastech, Webasto, Inalfa, Sportrack Corp.
- Managed cross-functional teams, fostering collaboration between engineering, quality assurance, and production departments.
- Developed training programs for staff, enhancing skill sets and promoting safety compliance across the facility.
- Analyzed production metrics to identify bottlenecks and implemented solutions to streamline workflows.
- Managed budget planning and forecasting activities for the manufacturing department, ensuring alignment with corporate financial goals while maintaining operational excellence.
Manufacturing Service Technician/Machine Builder
H-A Industries Inc. Sterling Heights, MI
Sterling Heights, MI
01.1998 - 01.2002
- Lead service technician for installs and repair of automated secondary equipment.
- Customers included: General Motors, Ford, Daimler Chrysler, Lear Corp, Collins & Aikman, Siegel Roberts, Whirlpool.
- Assembly of hot air / cold stake, clip driving, sonic welding machines.
- Fabrication and machining of details for assembly.
- Panel wiring and PLC logic programming.
- TIG and MIG welding of details as needed.
- Diagnosed and repaired mechanical issues using specialized tools and equipment.
- Explained diagnostic findings to customers and outlined repair or service options.
- Installed new equipment and explained operation and routine maintenance protocols to customers.
- Inspected equipment to diagnose operational issues.
CNC Machinist
Kenco Manufacturing Utica, MI
Utica, MI
01.1993 - 01.1998
- CNC set up and milling of custom details, production details for Sea Ray Corporation.
- CNC set up and lathe production of custom details, production details for Sea Ray Corporation.
- Set scheduling as while providing a perspective on the efficiency of new tooling and fixtures.
- Worked with engineers and programmers to develop more efficient run at rate times for customer production requirements.
Education
BA - Mechanical Engineering
Macomb Community College
Warren, MI01-1999
Skills
- Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Access, Internet Explorer, Visio SolidWorks, Catia, Auto CAD Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator Experienced in IT, networking, servers
- Extremely organized and committed to structure-oriented production plans
- Project management
- Project planning
- Project scheduling
- Team collaboration
- Project tracking
- Strategic planning
- Schedule management
- Document management
- Performance improvements
Certification
Microsoft Project
Timeline
Project Manager / Senior Supervisor
Van Horn Truck Parts & Repair, Rochester, MI
01.2016 - Current
Senior Program Manager
Lapeer Industries Inc. Lapeer, MI
01.2004 - 01.2014
Manufacturing Manager / Manufacturing Service Technician
Industrial Automation L.L.C. Rochester Hills, MI
01.2002 - 01.2004
Manufacturing Service Technician/Machine Builder
H-A Industries Inc. Sterling Heights, MI
01.1998 - 01.2002
CNC Machinist
Kenco Manufacturing Utica, MI
01.1993 - 01.1998
BA - Mechanical Engineering
Macomb Community College