JAMES FINLAYSON
Eugene,OR
Work Preference
Summary
Project Management Leader with 28+ years of experience specializing in collaborating with innovators and manufacturers to develop and refine product concepts, create project plans, define supply chains and achieve successful product launches on time and within budget.
Work History
Senior Applications Engineer
Columbia Industrial Products
Eugene, OR
06.2023 - 07.2025
- Collaborated with production, sales, and quality teams to establish effective process and verification procedures.
- Interact with regulatory bodies to secure type certificates and perform testing to meet requirements.
- Research, write evaluation procedures and perform testing on alternate solid lubricants
- Engaged with regulatory bodies to secure type certificates and conduct necessary testing for compliance.
- Set project deadlines to maintain workflow efficiency and manage schedule throughout the project.
- Provided technical application support for industrial product selection, specifications, and customer requirements.
- Reviewed drawings and samples to recommend fit-for-purpose product solutions.
- Collaborated with sales and production teams to resolve design and application issues.
- Investigated product failures and implemented corrective actions to improve application reliability.
Supply Chain Manager, Global Sourcing Manager
Arcimoto
Eugene, OR
06.2018 - 09.2022
- Developed vendor database of IATF 16949 qualified automotive grade manufacturing companies to streamline sourcing options
- Managed supplier qualification, selection, RFX process, contract development, implementation, compliance, and ongoing supply management to enhance procurement efficiency
- Collaborated with internal teams to improve outputs to meet demand and supply requirements, ensuring inventory integrity targets for finished goods
- Monitored and tracked supplier performance to enforce adherence to quality standards and established timelines
- Established vendor database of IATF 16949 qualified automotive grade manufacturing companies
- Built supplier relationships to mitigate risk and establish effective purchasing arrangements with indirect and logistics customers
- Provide corporate guidance on Global market conditions regarding, currency, commodity pricing and competitor landscape.
- Calculated and reported actual and projected sourcing savings by spend categories to inform strategic financial decisions
- Led supplier coordination to support production schedules and material availability.
- Negotiated sourcing terms with vendors to improve cost and delivery reliability.
- Collaborated with manufacturing teams to resolve material shortages and schedule risks.
Global Program Manager
Season Group
Eugene, OR
01.2009 - 06.2018
- Engaged with customers, partners, and constituent groups to build trust and foster professional relationships that enhanced collaboration.
- Defined and led projects for new product introductions including manufacturing set-up and processes
- Established performance goals and supported project timelines to ensure alignment with strategic objectives.
- Work with Engineering, Quality and Stakeholders to overcome hurdles and deliver on time and budget.
- Proposed development and testing improvements to positively impact usability, function and performance.
- Proposed development and testing improvements that enhanced usability, functionality, and overall product performance.
- Led global program execution across cross-functional teams, aligning customer requirements with manufacturing readiness.
- Coordinated new product introduction activities, ensuring smooth transition from design through production launch.
- Oversaw project schedules, priorities, and deliverables to support on-time program milestones.
- Mentored and supported [Number] [Type] department employees to create strong workplace culture.
- Met tight deadlines to satisfy client demands and project timelines.
Director of Engineering NPI
Aridian Technology Company
San Pedro, CA
06.2005 - 01.2009
- Identified and developed domestic and foreign engineering and manufacturing resources lowering development cost by 25%
- Collaborated with project team to identify and resolve issues promptly
- Maintained schedules to meet key milestones at every project phase.
- Supported new product development and value engineering initiatives through supplier development.
- Managed schedules to ensure timely achievement of key milestones throughout each project phase
- Directed engineering strategy to align product roadmap, architecture decisions, and delivery priorities.
- Led cross-functional teams through complex initiatives, improving execution consistency and stakeholder alignment.
- Evaluated system designs and technical tradeoffs to support scalable, maintainable solutions.
Education
Industrial Technology
California Polytechnic State University
San Luis ObispoSkills
- Project Development
- Project Leadership
- Project Scheduling
- Scope Implementation
- Resource Management
- Vendor Negotiation
- Regulatory Compliance
- Cost Analysis
- Documentation management
- Advanced Problem Solving
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
Accomplishments
· Work with production, sales and, quality to establish process and verification procedures.
· Research, write evaluation procedures and perform testing on alternate solid lubricants
· Work with sales to answer customer questions and recommend products to fit customer needs.
· Interact with regulatory bodies to secure type certificates and perform testing to meet requirements.
· Establish timeframe and managed schedule throughout project.
Certification
Marquis Who's Who 2024
Timeline
Senior Applications Engineer
Columbia Industrial Products
06.2023 - 07.2025
Supply Chain Manager, Global Sourcing Manager
Arcimoto
06.2018 - 09.2022
Global Program Manager
Season Group
01.2009 - 06.2018
Director of Engineering NPI
Aridian Technology Company
06.2005 - 01.2009
Industrial Technology
California Polytechnic State University