Drew Sowle
Oconto,WI
Summary
Results-driven Manufacturing Engineering Manager known for unparalleled productivity and efficient task completion. Specialize in process optimization, quality control systems, and lean manufacturing techniques. Excel at team leadership, problem-solving, and strategic planning, ensuring projects meet strict deadlines and budget requirements while maintaining high standards of quality. Possess strong communication and collaboration skills, fostering positive relationships across all levels of an organization to drive continuous improvement initiatives.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Category Manufacturing Engineering Manager
Schreiber Foods
Green Bay, WI
01.2023 - Current
- Helped develop and create the Manufacturing Engineering organizational structure, job descriptions, goals, and strategy for US Operations
- Spearheading Processed Cheese Manufacturing Engineering team to surpass thruput and salvage goals resulting for the Category contributing to bottom line REP EBITA increase and uncovering of our hidden factories
- Lead a cross functional team of 10 Engineers and 3 Interns across 6 different US locations
- Championing rollout and creation of Standard Production Line documentation packages for all 146 production lines across all categories (PFMEA, Control Plans, Value Stream Maps, Process Maps)
- Integral part of hiring efforts in the MOEx space which has led to successfully hiring over 25 Engineers
- Promote and facilitate development of next generation of manufacturing engineering leadership
Category Operational Excellence Manager
Schreiber Foods
Green Bay, WI
01.2020 - 01.2023
- Develop and implement Manufacturing 101 strategy based on coaching executive leadership team to build a CI culture for identifying and solving problems
- Direct the development and deployment of aligned KPI’s across all categories using Hoshin Kanri approach driven by Critical Processes
- Develop and lead Six Sigma Green Belt training courses and other Lean Manufacturing training
- Create and deliver Manufacturing 101 key initiatives and tools across 14 plants
- Develop SFI Culture by training, coaching, evaluating, and reinforcing Continuous Improvement principles with partners and team members
- Delivered Root Cause Analysis Training to over 500 Front Line Leaders in an effort to build our problem solving capability across our US Plants
- Leading Dozuki Rollout for all US plants to help connect our workforce while optimizing production performance by improving standard work, reducing onboarding time, and reduce changeover times
Senior Project Engineer - Value Engineering
Milwaukee Electric Tool
Brookfield, WI
01.2018 - 01.2020
- Completed Step Drill Bit Material Change Project that yielded $1.02M annual cost savings
- Launched Label automation system that resulted in $135K annual cost savings in Greenwood, MS
- Implemented hole saw paint automation project that will result in over $1.46M annual cost savings
- Lead Sawzall blade e-coat system that will result in $1.7M annual cost savings
- Created TPM System for all new equipment being implemented in North American Manufacturing
- Influence and work cross-functionally with Quality, Engineering, Sourcing, Finance, Supply and Demand, Marketing, and other departments on Capital Equipment Projects to improve current capacity and product flow
- Utilize NPD planning and phases from concept to production for reciprocating blades, step drill bits, hole saws
- Investigate and aid in the development of manufacturing processes, equipment run-offs, and machine design solutions for grinding, welding, machining, heat treating, finishes, and packaging of power tool accessories
Continuous Improvement Manager
Johnson Controls
Marinette, WI
01.2017 - 01.2018
- Oversee the Continuous Improvement, Visual Factory, and Value Stream flow principles for Johnson Controls Manufacturing System adoption for Marinette Fire Protection Products
- Facilitate Cost-Out plan and subsequent forecast goals to achieve yearly cost savings of $875K for ATSM Plant by working with Quality, Purchasing, and Engineering to redesign, improve, or outsource components
- Facilitate and participate in VA/VE activities with R&D, Manufacturing, Finance, and Purchasing for current/future Fire Protection Products
- Initiated, organized, and facilitated Large Kaizen events that have produced over $1.5 million dollars of Cost Savings across 3 different Fire Suppression Production Value Streams
- Lead and supervise actions of 3 employees that support the JCMS adoption plan for 5S and Work Instructions
- Coach and mentor over 400 personnel that are in a non-reporting relationship including Plant Leadership Staff, Engineers, Supervisors, and hourly associates to apply DMAIC tools and the JCMS principles
New Product Development Purchasing
Harley-Davidson Motor Company
Wauwatosa, WI
01.2015 - 01.2017
- Lead, influence, approve, and mentor over 25 suppliers on Quality PPAP submissions including Control Plans, PFMEA, Process Flow Diagrams, and all other necessary APQP documentation
- Managed $16M annual cost of product spend and met capital budget vs
- Planned budget
- Prepared RFQ’s and analyzed quotes based on needs for Quality, Cost, and Capacity
- Analyze detailed cost breakdown, manufacturing processes, and review part prints including the understanding of manufacturability, function, and relationship of part features
- Work with suppliers to kick off prototype and production tooling for gaskets, seals, injection molded parts, fuel lines, cast parts, forgings, fixturing, and racking
- Identified and developed strategic sourcing initiative for CVO Paint manufacturing suppliers that resulted in first-to-market paint and graphics that exceeded VOC requirements
- Completed Six-Sigma Black Belt Project that resulted in over $80K Yearly savings by reducing FL Input Shaft scrap at Powertrain Operations in Menomonee Falls, WI
Quality Engineer
Harley-Davidson Motor Company
Menomonee Falls, WI
01.2014 - 01.2015
- Lead ISO re-certification efforts to obtain World Class Quality for $200M worth of production lines
- Site Lead for Quality Call to Action PFMEA review in order to align with Quality Playbook requirements
- Facilitated and lead weekly CAR meetings for PTO and also mentored other Engineers and Supervisors to CAR closure
- Facilitated Quality Training Modules to hourly and salary workforce in an effort to improve Quality
- Utilize Six-Sigma Black Belt Training to facilitate scrap reduction meetings for all of PTO
Fabrication Supervisor
Harley-Davidson Motor Company
Kansas City, MO
01.2013 - 01.2014
- Lead and Supervised 60+ Union Employees in Fabrication Department for Frames and Styled Surfaces
- Supported Assembly Surge model by delivering a model mix of 300+ frames and 350+ fuel tanks per shift
- Developed action plans with Engineering Staff for successful launch of Softail and Street Platforms
- Managed day-to-day operations in order to meet or exceed metrics for Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, People and Sustainability
- Facilitated and Lead Front Line Leadership meetings for all Kansas City Leadership
Manufacturing - Assembly Engineer
Harley-Davidson Motor Company
Kansas City, MO
01.2012 - 01.2013
- Successful completion of Six-Sigma Green Belt project that saved over $88K yearly
- Performed Line balancing activities for 32 assembly stations to ensure each station met 40 second cycle-time
- Provided tactical engineering support for Dyna Assembly line in order to improve FPY and reduce downtime
- Lead and implemented ergonomic improvements on multiple Assembly lines to lower EJMS scores
Manufacturing Engineer
Harley-Davidson Motor Company
Menomonee Falls, WI
01.2011 - 01.2012
- Performed manufacturing engineering, industrial engineering, and tool improvement activities across 4 Flywheel CNC machining lines
- Lead and support work group advisors, engineers, maintenance and operators in the development of tools, fixtures, and machines to support existing and new product and process design and solve complex production-related issues
- Developed and implemented Flywheel re-entry system that generated over $100K yearly savings
- Standardized air gaging and measurement systems across all 4 FL flywheel lines to ensure
Manufacturing Engineer
Harley-Davidson Motor Company
Tomahawk, WI
01.2009 - 12.2009
- Responsible for conducting testing for new composite substrates and color capabilities
- Worked as Lead with Operation Excellence Team to create a new floor layout for entire plant
- Documented and helped develop Test procedures for new processes
- Created Standardized Work Sheets for various processes
- Conducted cosmetic evaluations and created quality control alerts
Mechanical Designer/Assembler
Neroco Engineering and Manufacturing
Oconto, WI
01.2007 - 01.2008
- Created and inspected detailed drawings and responsible for making engineering changes on conveyor systems
- Developed GD&T skills and created detailed drawings for large conveyor systems
- Responsible for designing shipping enclosures for conveyors/accumulators going over seas
- Fabricated and Assembled state-of-the-art conveyor systems and accumulators
Education
B.S. - Engineering: Mechanical Design & Plastics
University of Wisconsin– Stout
Menomonie, WisconsinAssociates Degree - Mechanical Design
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Green Bay, WisconsinSkills
- Six-Sigma Green & Black Belt
- Total Preventive Maintenance
- FMEA Analysis
- Root Cause Analysis
- PPAP/APQP
- Cross-functional team leadership
- Forward-thinking mindset
- Decision-making skills
- Certified Internal ISO Auditor
- Advanced GD&T
- Project Management Methodology
- Value Stream Mapping
- Design of Experiment (DOE)
- Kaizen Event Execution and Facilitation
- Mini-Tab
- XFMEA
- SolidWorks/AutoCAD
Accomplishments
- Harley-Davidson Black Level Award
- Schreiber Foods Presidents Award
Timeline
Category Manufacturing Engineering Manager
Schreiber Foods
01.2023 - Current
Category Operational Excellence Manager
Schreiber Foods
01.2020 - 01.2023
Senior Project Engineer - Value Engineering
Milwaukee Electric Tool
01.2018 - 01.2020
Continuous Improvement Manager
Johnson Controls
01.2017 - 01.2018
New Product Development Purchasing
Harley-Davidson Motor Company
01.2015 - 01.2017
Quality Engineer
Harley-Davidson Motor Company
01.2014 - 01.2015
Fabrication Supervisor
Harley-Davidson Motor Company
01.2013 - 01.2014
Manufacturing - Assembly Engineer
Harley-Davidson Motor Company
01.2012 - 01.2013
Manufacturing Engineer
Harley-Davidson Motor Company
01.2011 - 01.2012
Manufacturing Engineer
Harley-Davidson Motor Company
01.2009 - 12.2009
Mechanical Designer/Assembler
Neroco Engineering and Manufacturing
01.2007 - 01.2008
B.S. - Engineering: Mechanical Design & Plastics
University of Wisconsin– Stout
Associates Degree - Mechanical Design
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Similar Profiles
Karla VelaKarla Vela
Process Improvement/Rework Coordinator at Schreiber FoodsProcess Improvement/Rework Coordinator at Schreiber Foods
Courtney DeckerCourtney Decker
Human Resources Team Advisor at Schreiber FoodsHuman Resources Team Advisor at Schreiber Foods
Joshua MyersJoshua Myers
Payroll/Accounts Payable Technician at Schreiber FoodsPayroll/Accounts Payable Technician at Schreiber Foods