KAREN BULLOCK HOWERTON

Industrial & Commercial Business Unit - Global

• Maintained schedules to meet key milestones at every phase for new product launches.
• Coordinated with cross-functional teams to resolve project issues and mitigate risks.
• Provided detailed project status updates to stakeholders and executive management.
• Developed and maintained project budgets to control costs and meet organizational and project goals.

Automotive Business Unit - NA

• Championed the execution of tool construction and qualification approvals in support of identified capacity constraints, design modifications, and product extensions within North American operations
• Monitored project performance to identify areas of improvement and make adjustments.
• Championed the product localizations from various intercompany regions
• Championed the execution of value add/ value engineering initiatives.

Appliance Business Unit

• Managed budget and activities for site operations which included the component warehouse, 260,000 square foot manufacturing facility, along with building maintenance and tool shop support areas
• Drove continuous improvement of processes and systems operation.

Appliance Business Unit

• Responsible for systematic analysis of existing highest profit margin value stream located at site.
• Drive improvements utilizing lean tools such as 5S, visual management, mistake proofing, and quick change over, standard work, TPM, QCPC/OEE, kanban/ pull, and other relevant tools.

Appliance Business Unit

• Responsible for supporting the site management team in the continuous improvement of plant level and product line value streams through the deployment of lean tools.

Appliance Business Unit

• Championed the localization of the German-designed 4-Rail Medium Box product for North American production
• Managed capital expenditures and acquisitions in support of approved corporate budget
• Developed manpower requirements and training needs to support projects
• Supported development engineering team with cost estimates to support pricing and tool procurement for new business ventures.

Automotive Business Unit

• Performed Manufacturing Cost Analysis of critical cost programs and provided cost improvements to management
• Developed improvements to reduce part number release lead-time to less than 40 hours for the New Product Development Release Process.

• Led the product development cycle through the product quality planning process and specifically responsible for compliance as outlined by Automotive Specification.
• Met project deadlines without sacrificing build quality or workplace safety.

• Provided cost models and price comparison to Product Manager to determine sales price of product to customer
• Developed Manufacturing Plan of new Product Line as phased into production
• Oversaw Project Management of new program wins.

• Product Cost/Pricing Analyses
• Oversaw Project Management aspect of new program with customer.

• Daily support of operational requirements; facility layouts, office management, database management, capital justifications, facility services request, fixed asset management, and computer/telecommunication maintenance
• Implementation of MP2 (Inventory and Maintenance Control System) and participated on Material Flow Task Force

Graduated Magna Cum Laude

REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST