Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Accomplishments
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Douglas Sparks

West Bloomfield, Michigan, United States,MI

Summary

Over 16 years of engineering leadership experience specializing in transforming technology into strategy and industrializing production solutions. Passionate about delivering strategies that stay ahead of the competition. Global leadership experience across Europe, Asia, North and South America. Recognized for problem solving, developing strategies, and building/leading energized teams that reduce costs and improve customer satisfaction. Proven track record turning around underperforming teams, creating collaborative learning environment and advancing the next generation of engineering leaders.

Overview

33
33
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Global Driveline Engineering Manager

Ford Motor Company
08.2017 - 07.2023
  • Improved engineering processes by streamlining workflows and implementing efficient project management techniques, resulting in 30% resource efficiency.
  • Led cross-functional teams for successful product development, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to specifications, while delivering $30M in cost savings.
  • Fostered a culture of innovation and continuous improvement by encouraging the sharing of ideas, leading to creative cost saving strategies ($45M), and 50% improvement in warranty.

Global Air Induction and CAE Engineering Manager

Ford Motor Company
02.2014 - 08.2017
  • Led cross-functional teams for successful product development, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to specifications while reducing product weight and cost 25%.
  • Improved engineering processes by streamlining workflows and implementing efficient project management techniques, cutting validation time 40% and development cost 50%.
  • Increased efficiency through the automation of manual processes, saving time and resources on project completion.


Quality & Plant Variation Team Engineering Manager

Ford Motor Company
02.2010 - 02.2014
  • Implemented quality control measures to reduce errors, resulting in increased customer satisfaction and repeat business.
  • Streamlined communication between departments by establishing regular meetings, improving collaboration on complex projects.
  • Presented progress reports to executive leadership, demonstrating success in meeting project milestones on time and within budget constraints.
  • Managed risk assessments during project planning phases, proactively mitigating potential issues before they arose during execution stages.


Program Integration Manager

Ford Motor Company
02.2007 - 02.2010
  • Enhanced system efficiency by streamlining processes and integrating various platforms.
  • Developed customized solutions for seamless data migration, improving overall business operations.
  • Led cross-functional teams to successfully execute integration projects on time and within budget.
  • Collaborated with stakeholders to identify integration needs, developing tailored strategies for successful implementation.
  • Facilitated clear communication among project teams, resulting in better collaboration and smoother workflows during complex integrations.

Additional Experience

Ford Motor Company
03.1990 - 02.2007

Program Manager

Driveline Engineering Supervisor

Program Management & Systems Design & Release Supervisor

Automatic Transmission Planning Analyst

Powertrain Product Planning Analyst

Design & Release Engineering - Mechanical & Structural

Design & Release Engineer -Systems

Process Engineer Assembly & Test



Education

MBA - Business Administration And Management

University of Detroit Mercy
Detroit, MI

Bachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering

University of Detroit Mercy
Detroit, MI

Skills

  • Global Leadership Experience
  • Cross Functional Engineering
  • Project Management
  • Systems Integration
  • Warranty Reduction
  • Supplier Collaboration
  • Vendor Sourcing
  • Coaching & Mentoring
  • Stakeholder Communication & Presentation
  • Strategic Thinking & Strategy Development
  • Engineering Design, Release, Development, & Sign-off
  • Problem-Solving & Prevent Recurrence
  • Lean Six Sigma & Continuous Improvement

Accomplishments

  • Headed strategy think tank, delivered $100M in annual cost savings while achieving best in class warranty.
  • Led design, development, & implementation on $95M industrial investment.
  • Implemented regional commercial cost model across global suppliers reducing cost 20%.
  • Developed commercial roadmaps, achieving bst in market cost.
  • Led the advancement, development and production implementation of new materials resulting in 40% cost and weight efficience.
  • Improved powertrain quality and warranty by improving customer satisfaction 59%, reduced repairs 42%, and cutting cost 60%.
  • Led systems engineering & integration for industrial strategic shift to eco-boost fuel efficiency technology.
  • Led 1st generation 5.0L Powertrain systems integration & product launch.
  • Created & Led Women of Driveline (Men as Allies) program.

Certification

Diversity & Inclusion Recipient Award

Powertrain Technical Excellence Award - Integrated CVJ/Inverted Boot Assembly

Patent - Passive Adsorption Hydrocarbon Trap

Patent - Rapid Apply servo for Automatic Transmission

Timeline

Global Driveline Engineering Manager

Ford Motor Company
08.2017 - 07.2023

Global Air Induction and CAE Engineering Manager

Ford Motor Company
02.2014 - 08.2017

Quality & Plant Variation Team Engineering Manager

Ford Motor Company
02.2010 - 02.2014

Program Integration Manager

Ford Motor Company
02.2007 - 02.2010

Additional Experience

Ford Motor Company
03.1990 - 02.2007

MBA - Business Administration And Management

University of Detroit Mercy

Bachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering

University of Detroit Mercy
Douglas Sparks