Joshua A. McDonald

Josh McDonald | Digital Transformation Services

Manager
248-904-5254| McDonald101@gmail.com
Josh has over forteen years of combined experience in industry and consulting. His
knowledge is extensive in Plex, cloud integrations, operations, quality, material
management, logistics, operations improvement, maintenance, tooling, and information
technology. In addition, he has a deep knowledge of manufacturing execution systems
(MES) with a focus on cloud integration solutions, hardware, and computer science.
Josh has multiple years of experience with Plex ERP implementations and has
implemented and supported numerous billion-dollar global manufacturing companies in
the tier 1 automotive space.
Josh has implemented Plex in many countries throughout North America and Europe,
such as France, Germany, Slovakia, Czech, Mexico, Canada, and the U.S. Josh
specializes in complex assembly, injection molding, extrusion, steel stamping/forming,
machining, and coating in various areas of manufacturing such as repetitive, build to
order, and batch processing. He has performed multiple-batch and real-time integrations
between MES and ERP systems, also providing IT analysis and support for MES
production and plant quality systems. Josh is a graduate of Oakland University with a
Bachelor of Science in management information systems.

• Project managing and supporting within an international applications team, responsible for ERP systems (Plex Online), PlexXML, Man-IT, custom applications, manufacturing systems, EDI, hardware outlining, and business intelligence for an international $2.5 billion tier 1 automotive manufacturing company.
• Primary focus on the implementation of international manufacturing facilities acquired through acquisition. Successfully meeting tight project deadlines, with limited resources and budget constraints.
• Participating in or leading business process re-engineering efforts to achieve global standardization goals.
• Leading site meetings to review current processes, identifying IT’s role in their business plan and introducing best practices for the use of Plex, PlexXML and other key systems being replaced during the implementation. Reviewing configuration and best practices with management, supervisors and end users to facilitate the best possible outcome.
• Managed and supported cutover / go-live activities on multiple global projects in Slovakia, France, and Germany. Providing support on system questions, while managing and solving critical go-live issues. Reconciling complex customer requirements, with corporate standards and tools.
• Strong ability to manage parallel projects and support activities. Mostly with shop floor integration and ERP implementations across simultaneous global sites.
• Implemented and supported multiple plant floor integration projects, two using PlexXML and one custom solution written in c#, relying on Widows server environments, SQL server and internal network requirements. The largest having 14 lines that produced containers in Plex every 45 seconds.
• Supported key facets of infrastructure upgrades, including but not limited to networks, virtual and physical server, databases, domain security end user hardware such as PC’s, label printer’s, mobile devices, both Symbol and Intermec, along with configuration and physical installations.
• Created and supported other customer application developments for site quality requirements, data entry/manipulation and custom shipping/pack out stations all using web services.
• Broad knowledge in system communications, understanding transactions, error handling and benefits and constraints of cloud based integration. Understanding the importance of providing training of site personnel for local, regional and global support.
• Created specification documents and worked with Plex directly both on and off site for complex developments to satisfy customer requirements in different regions and within compliance of local laws and guidelines.
• Global labeling internal standardization project along with moving the development of labels in house through additional developments with Plex and business process owners
• Spent 3 months supporting plant floor operations and quality on the shop floor in a 700,000sq. ft injection molding and interiors assembly plant. Tuning and developing tools in there manufacturing execution system Man-IT (Lambda launch)

• Worked on large commercial projects ranging from underground piping systems to mass site grading
• Assumed the role of job estimator bidding projects that cost upwards of $1M
• Involved in almost every aspect of the business in roles such as project manager, equipment operator, fabricator and shop manager
• Supported shop facilities performing fabrication, problem solving and maintenance duties across many functions