GAURAV DAWANDE
Dover,NH
Work Preference
Summary
Strategic leader in the automotive industry with extensive experience driving quality initiatives across multiple manufacturing plants. Consistently achieved cost reduction and enhanced customer satisfaction through effective problem-solving and project management. Proven ability to establish and mentor cross-functional teams in complex environments.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Quality – Region Americas
Continental AG
04.2023 - Current
- Led quality initiatives across 11 manufacturing plants (6 in Mexico, 2 in Brazil, 3 in the US) and assigned resources within the Americas region.
- Plan, coordinate and control all quality management activities to meet budget and quality targets (e.g., minimize customer complaints, scrap and waste, secure auditing targets, customer satisfaction etc.).
- Furthermore, Manage and Direct the Quality (QMS) activities of the operations area and ensure all quality standards are maintained.
- Established quality organization structure and initiated action plans for continuous improvement of quality processes.
- Monitored and evaluated customer quality performance and complaint information to identify areas for enhancement.
- Management of customer complaints 0-Km and field complaints in cooperation with plants, e.g., for analysis, preventive & corrective measures, field actions, risk management.
- Facilitated direct customer contact for quality-related issues, enhancing communication and improving customer satisfaction.
- Recognition of internal quality problems (e.g., scrap rate) and initiating/supporting of corrective actions.
- In case of generic problems or, if other sites are affected, triggers early warnings and transfer of know-how regional and cross/regional.
- Creation and implementation of a QM-Plan including QM elements in the project schedule.
- Measured the effectiveness of PLC processes.
- Participation in all relevant project team meetings, steering committee meetings, gate review meetings.
- Support implementation and roll-out of standards.
- Coaching and mentoring the quality team for development opportunities.
- Support a lean and CBS culture.
- Foster compliance in all functional areas.
- Automotive Tier1. Website: Not provided.
- Expertise in Problem solving (ex: 8D, A3, pareto), IATF 16949 – Internal auditor, Quality Management system, NQC reduction, Project Management, 6 Sigma black belt, Continuous improvement, Lean manufacturing, Management review, Leadership & management skills, Quality Tools (APQP, SPC, PPAP, Control Plan, PFMEA, MSA, Cpk), Customer, supplier complaint management.
Head of Quality (Quality Manager)
Continental AG
10.2016 - 04.2023
- Oversees the IATF 16949:2016, (ISO 9001:2015) audit activities including all quality audits and certifications & internal audit team activities.
- Maintained quality cost (NQC) within target while collaborating with Production Department to reduce rework, scrap, and waste through pareto methods, control charts, fishbone diagrams, and six sigma methodologies.
- Leading the project for changing the process landscape throughout Business area organization (32 total manufacturing plants).
- Oversaw participation in APQP and PLC process support for new projects, managing change projects and investigation activities, including review of PFMEA and initial control plans, and PPAP-related activities.
- Verified that all incoming and outgoing products met or exceeded established quality expectations.
- Served as the primary contact for customer inquiries regarding quality and performance concerns.
- Represented management in quality assurance meetings to address customer concerns.
- Developed annual budget and resource allocation for Quality department to ensure efficient operations.
Quality Assurance Manager
Continental AG
01.2012 - 10.2016
- Supported new product introduction and investigation activities including review of PFMEA and initial control plans, and participated in APQP and NPI.
- Assisted in preparation of PPAP documentation for blow mold manufacturing area, overseeing complete PPAP function to ensure compliance and quality standards.
- Direct Gauge R&R studies to assure effective gauge implementation and improvement.
- Conducted problem-solving analyses for customer and supplier defects, developing countermeasure reports to address root causes and prevent recurrence.
- Utilize 5Why, 8D and other similar analysis methods to assure deep analysis and system wide countermeasure implementation.
- Provide expertise in SPC concepts including process stability, capability, and reaction to 'statistically out of control' situations.
- Participate in and assist in effective analysis and corrective measures for scrap and internal defects.
- Managed and developed calibrations for all measurement devices, maintaining Gage Track and conducting physical examinations of tooling.
- Directed engineering, quality, and laboratory personnel in design, manufacture, evaluation, and calibration of measurement standards and test systems, ensuring selection of approved instrumentation for accurate measurement.
- ContiTech Thermopol LLC. Website: Not provided.
Quality Assurance
BP, Ergo Ltd
Nagpur, India
07.2007 - 03.2010
- Developed quality assurance protocols in sheet metal, aluminum extrusion, and wood processing industries.
- QMS/EMS/OHSAS: Certified internal Auditor for, ISO 9001:2008/EMS/OHSAS/SA8000.
- Conducted internal and external audits.
- Contributed as a core team member in the ISO 9001:2008 recertification audit.
- Supervised a team of 10 in daily quality activities, ensuring compliance with supplier and customer standards.
- Managed product testing procedures in the lab to ensure quality and compliance.
- Website: Not provided.
Education
Master’s Degree - Mechanical Engg.
College of Business and Technology
Aalen, Germany01-2012
Bachelor’s Degree - Mechanical Engg.
Yeshwantrao Chavan College of Engineering
Nagpur, India01-2007
Skills
- IATF 16949
- Quality Management system
- 6 Sigma black belt
- Lean manufacturing
- Continuous improvement
- NQC reduction
- Project Management
- Management review
- Technical skills
- Problem solving
- Customer complaint management
- Supplier complaint management
- Customer focus
- Leadership skills
Hobbies and Interests
- Sports: Table tennis, Tennis, Badminton, Cricket.
- Listening to music, Reading books, Web surfing, Playing chess, Travelling.
Awards
- Best Non-Quality reduction award – AIS segment & in BU MFS.
- Ford Q1 award – best trusted supplier.
- ContiTech Excellence Award – in category Collaborative Entrepreneurship.
- Best PPM reduction in straight 5 years.
- No Major NC reported in IATF-16949 Audit straight 6 years.
Languages
- German
- Hindi
- Marathi
- English
- German
- Hindi
- Marathi
Timeline
Director of Quality – Region Americas
Continental AG
04.2023 - Current
Head of Quality (Quality Manager)
Continental AG
10.2016 - 04.2023
Quality Assurance Manager
Continental AG
01.2012 - 10.2016
Quality Assurance
BP, Ergo Ltd
07.2007 - 03.2010
Master’s Degree - Mechanical Engg.
College of Business and Technology
Bachelor’s Degree - Mechanical Engg.
Yeshwantrao Chavan College of Engineering