Dan Kulkarni
Canton,MI
Summary
Seasoned Lead Program Manager with a solid history in managing complex projects from concept to completion. Strengths include strategic planning, team leadership, and performance optimization. Notable for creating effective communication channels between different departments and teams, resulting in increased productivity and efficiency. Impacted previous roles by problem-solving swiftly under pressure while maintaining high standards of professionalism and integrity.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Lead Program Manager
Autokiniton
New Boston, MI
06.2022 - Current
- Project Manager responsible for leading the development and launch of stamped metal products, underbody shields, rear floor and apron assemblies for a tier #1 automotive supplier.
- Currently supporting launch of Ford F250 Heavy Duty Truck (P708), Explorer (U625) and Lincoln Aviator (U611).
- Coordinated and led all activities with sales, manufacturing and quality to ensure successful product launches for Ford Motor Co. at KTP, OHAP and CAP assembly plants for 2023 & 2024 and forward model years.
- Act as main contact with Ford Motor Co for assigned programs. Extensive experience working with Ford PD and STA engineers in managing and resolving launch issues.
- Responsible for coordinating and leading activities to ensure that key program milestones were met successfully all the time.
- Led collection of $3.3 million in tooling funds with on time PPAP.
- Leads program reviews with cross functional teams to track project status weekly and reports monthly status to senior management.
- Coordinated activities of two other program managers in a supervisory role.
Sr. Project Engineer – Exterior Body Integration PMT
Ford Motor Company
Dearborn, MI
07.2014 - 05.2022
- Project engineer responsible for managing the integration of body exterior systems on Ford and Lincoln forward model programs.
- Currently supporting launch of Lincoln Corsair product freshening for 2023.
- Led successful launch of 2020 Ford Escape and Lincoln Corsair for body exterior components.
- Supported pre-production builds and was co-located at Louisville Assembly Plant.
- Met all program milestones and launched vehicle ahead of schedule.
- Worked with engineers & studio to support surface theme development for the program to successfully meet milestones.
- Earned Ford performance recognition awards in Oct & Dec 2016.
- Managed theme changes for cost/tooling/weight impacts to ensure that the PMT stayed within the program allocated budget.
- Supported vehicle launch of Ford Escape pre-production builds in North America and travelled to China to support production builds in 2015 & 2016.
- Provided launch support for pre-production builds on the Ford Focus launch at Michigan Assy plant in 2014.
- Worked with D&R’s to resolve design issues and ensure a smooth and successful launch.
Sr. Project Engineer
Nissan Technical Center North America
Farmington Hills, MI
10.2012 - 07.2014
- Project engineer responsible for cockpit module systems for the Nissan Pathfinder, Infiniti JX and the Nissan Leaf.
- Responsible for supporting daily production and resolving design related issues.
- Coordinated design changes with the plant and suppliers for faster implementation.
- Optimized cost of changes with suppliers through technical reviews resulting in savings of +$100K.
- Captured lessons learned from Design Review process and DFMEA process and used it to increase the effectiveness of the design process for Nissan CPM.
Project Engineer
Ford Motor Company
Dearborn, MI
10.2009 - 10.2012
- Project engineer responsible for managing the integration of ambient lighting systems into automotive interior trim and the development of overhead lighting systems.
- Launched interior lighting systems on the 2012 Explorer and Focus vehicle programs.
- Coordinated global development of integration solutions between tier 1 interior trim suppliers and ambient lighting suppliers to Ford.
- Negotiated and created program timing with Ford program teams and tier 1 suppliers to meet program milestones and supported program launches.
- Responsible for the integration and development of ambient lighting systems on future vehicle programs for Ford F series truck.
- Responsible for resourcing existing business to lower cost suppliers to generate annual savings of +$3 million/year to Ford.
Manager of Engineering
Dong Kwang Technologies LTD.
Troy, Michigan
09.2007 - 11.2008
- Coordinated cross-functional communication to enhance project efficiency.
- Managed project timelines and resource allocation effectively.
- Collaborated with clients to define project requirements and expectations.
- Managed day-to-day activities of engineering staff, ensuring tasks were completed accurately and efficiently.
- Coordinated with project managers to ensure timely completion of tasks.
Education
Master of Science - Supply Chain Management
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI09-2023
MBA - Business Administration
University of Phoenix
Livonia, MI06-2007
Master of Engineering - Mechanical Engineering
Leeds University
Leeds, United Kingdom06.1986
Skills
- Project management
- Program coordination
- Effective communication
- Team leadership
- Program planning
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Supplier negotiation
- Product launch
Certification
- Registered Professional Engineer in Mechanical Engineering (P.E.), California.
- Project Management Professional (PMP). Certified through 6/2030.
- Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. Villanova University, Dec 2010.
- Dale Carnegie Public Speaking Course. Nov 1992.
Timeline
Lead Program Manager
Autokiniton
06.2022 - Current
Sr. Project Engineer – Exterior Body Integration PMT
Ford Motor Company
07.2014 - 05.2022
Sr. Project Engineer
Nissan Technical Center North America
10.2012 - 07.2014
Project Engineer
Ford Motor Company
10.2009 - 10.2012
Manager of Engineering
Dong Kwang Technologies LTD.
09.2007 - 11.2008
Master of Science - Supply Chain Management
Michigan State University
MBA - Business Administration
University of Phoenix
Master of Engineering - Mechanical Engineering
Leeds University
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