Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Mark Faris

Cookeville,TN

Summary

Results-driven leader with extensive experience in Program & Project Management and Customer Success, overseeing a revenue stream exceeding $120MM+ in annual revenue in complex, custom automation equipment across multiple divisions across the United States. Proficient in cross-functional team leadership, relationship management, software implementation, and process optimization utilizing tools such as PowerBI, Smartsheets, and ERP systems. Known for combining technical expertise with strategic vision to achieve program outcomes, surpass margin targets, and cultivate long-term client relationships. With over 28 years of experience in custom assembly & test automation, product and process development, consistently taking on new roles with increased levels of responsibility. Thriving in collaborative environments, energized by tackling new and challenging problems to deliver innovative solutions.

Overview

28
28
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Platform Manager

JR Automation
03.2025 - Current
  • Leads team of Project Managers and Project Coordinator across multiple divisions with customer base to continue to organically grow the business through streamlined project execution.
  • Leverages resource plan cross-divisionally to tailor a labor plan that meets the needs of the business and also leverages strengths and weaknesses of the individual’s teams to yield the maximum benefit
  • Utilizes various business software tools such as but not limited to: Integrated PowerBI, Smartsheets, Hexagon/EcoSys, & ERP Systems for operational controls. Administered invoicing & billing with finance teams across the division.
  • Top Sales leader year over year, responsible for building and growing sales funnel, customer retention, customer site visits, master execution planning presentations and helps facilitate quoting and proposal execution through the Applications Engineering Department

Manager of Project Management

JR Automation
04.2021 - 02.2025
  • Leads team of 14 Project Managers and Project Coordinator in custom automation industry
  • Develops and manages department budgets for each fiscal year and monitors progress throughout the year
  • Spearheaded employee career developing planning process for 1-3 year and 3-5 year planning purposes.
  • Develop innovation strategy for Project Management department as well as collaboration with other matrix organizational departments

Project Manager & Key Customer Program Manager

JR Automation
01.2020 - 03.2021
  • Led $27MM+ Complex Medical Device Assembly Project through customer kickoff, Mechanical Design Effort, Mechanical & Controls Releases and currently ongoing with Automation reviews, PLC, HMI & Robot Code development including DM’s. Panel build and mechanical assembly has also begun on the floor.
  • Responsible for managing project scope, risk, timing, cost and overall quality plus maintaining customer report that is above reproach.
  • Assertive leadership for project team to complete discipline related tasks in a timely manner with high quality yet within budget allowances.
  • Closely monitors and adjusts for project related variances as it relates to the financial details of the project. Material and hours for each budget are scrutinized weekly and adjusted accordingly depending on project and/or business unit needs.
  • Scheduling responsibility for customer imperative items which transpose to project related items within the project schedule. Work collaboratively with functional department heads and other resources to accommodate schedule needs and adjust accordingly.
  • Embraces and executes the JR Automation PEP process to its fullest intent to ensure the Project executes as efficiently as possible and also provides clean traceability for subsequent audit trail purposes.
  • Collaborates with indirect cross functional team to achieve over arching common goal of the project.
  • Connectively listens to the team to identify conflicts and act accordingly to mitigate issues, concerns and risk. Through this process also works diligently to develop credibility, loyalty and trust with various team members.
  • Acts decisively when faced with difficult issues and stands up for the project team while also holding the same team accountable when accountability is required.
  • Develops and executes executive project reviews as requested. Risk, financial status, schedule and other project related topics covered to keep senior management informed.

Business Unit Manager

ATC Automation
03.2017 - 01.2020
  • P&L Responsibility for an annual ~$22MM business unit
  • Improved 2019 net profit of Business Unit by 4.8% (20.5% vs. 25.3%) compared to 2018 results
  • 2019 Performance results YTD: 39.5% Gross Margin across 8 active projects with >67,000 cumulative hours
  • Led $4.8MM medical device (ISO 7 Cleanroom) assembly design & build project comprising of a fully automated assembly and test system. 2.35 Second part-to-part cycle time for high volume production facility with a CMO customer
  • Led ~$5.5MM total automotive contracts in 2018/2019 which are in various stages of completion
  • Led $750K nickel & cadmium battery assembly system with 6 product variants and multiple changeover tools required
  • Developed custom solutions to accommodate changing scope requirements for multiple customers
  • Managed internal and external resources to align with customer schedule and maximize profit margins for every project.
  • Developed detailed project schedules to ensure internal and customer milestones are met and hold accountability for internal milestones, supplier milestones as well as customer milestones which can all significantly impact the project schedule.
  • Developed individual labor and material forecasts for each project by month, quarter and calendar year and tracked results against forecast. Generated reports to identify gaps in forecast as a continuous improvement effort.
  • Led cross function team execution of various projects including but not limited to: order acceptance, schedule development, open issues documentation & accountability, design reviews, runoff’s (FAT), installation (SAT) and warranty follow up resolution.

Engineering Manager

Borg Warner – TorqTransfer Systems
02.2002 - 03.2017
  • Led 20 person engineering department for automotive powertrain systems including transfer cases, axles assemblies and electromagnetic torque transfer devices.
  • Won the distinguished Customer Excellence / Product Leadership Innovation Award which is BorgWarner’s highest achievement award.
  • Generated and maintained annual department budget in concert with finance department for corporate forecasting purposes and local accountability
  • Responsible for authoring job descriptions, phone screen and face-to-face interviews, hiring, coaching and mentoring and disciplinary action for 13 person salaried engineering team plus 7 hourly technicians supporting a 24/6 operation.
  • Generated and maintained capital and tooling (capex) appropriations requests (AR’s) for projects to support customer base
  • Generated and maintained monthly capital and tooling (capex) spend forecast in concert with finance for corporate liability booking for every project
  • Generated and maintained Individual Development Plans (IDP) for each employee for career development and advancement opportunities
  • Works face to face with customers (primarily Ford, GM and Chrysler) to understand their needs and translate those needs into product or process reality that ensures success for our customer and BorgWarner as their supplier.
  • Managed $12.8M assembly expansion project for a new customer with 8 new product variants. Project includes assembly line and EOL functional & NVH test system, planetary gear set assembly via a mix of highly automated and semi-automated assembly processes.
  • Managed $6.5M budget for new capital equipment installations for Ford primarily through German suppliers. Identifying risks and opportunities with regard to project schedule (planning phase via Gant Chart). Coordinates appropriations requests for division & corporate approval to support capex plan. Seasoned negotiator in equipment procurement with multiple vendors bidding on project for technical merit, cost, lead time and resource allocation.
  • TS-16949 & ISO-14001 Executive Champion Leadership Experience for internal and external audits
  • (2009-2011) $14.5M+ expansion project to support two new assembly systems as a Tier I for OEM Automotive Companies.

Process / Facilities Engineer

Dana Corporation - Traction Technologies
04.1997 - 02.2002
  • Managed Maintenance Department overseeing 18 personnel
  • Implemented Preventive & Predictive Maintenance Programs to drive reduction in equipment downtime by allowing downtime to be scheduled prior to catastrophic failure.
  • Developed Automated Assembly Machines to support new and existing programs totaling over $2M in capital improvements.

Education

B.S. - Mechanical Engineering

Virginia Polytechnic Institute (Virginia Tech)
Blacksburg, VA
01.1997

Skills

  • P&L Responsibility for ~$120MM Annual Revenue
  • Annual Revenue Project
  • Material & Labor Forecasting
  • Risk Assessment & Mitigation
  • Planning & Execution
  • Cost Analysis
  • Tactical & Strategic Initiative Planning
  • Project Management Department Budgeting
  • Policy Administration
  • LRP Strategic Goals & Objectives Leadership
  • Staffing (Hiring/Developing/Disciplinary)
  • Capital Procurement
  • Customer Relationship Building & Negotiation

Accomplishments

  • Customer Excellence Innovation Award (BorgWarner’s Annual Achievement Award)
  • Dale Carnegie – Skills for Success Karrass Negotiating I & II
  • Kepner Tregoe – Problem Solving & Decision Making (PSDM)
  • Crucial Conversations I & II – Tools for talking when stakes are high
  • Situational Leadership Program – Level I & II
  • Powering, Performance & Potential (P3) Management Course
  • Lead 24/7 – Leadership Development Training w/ JR Automation – Began Nov 2020 and ongoing. Scheduled to complete training May 2021.

Certification

PMP Certification - UNC Charlotte

Timeline

Platform Manager

JR Automation
03.2025 - Current

Manager of Project Management

JR Automation
04.2021 - 02.2025

Project Manager & Key Customer Program Manager

JR Automation
01.2020 - 03.2021

Business Unit Manager

ATC Automation
03.2017 - 01.2020

Engineering Manager

Borg Warner – TorqTransfer Systems
02.2002 - 03.2017

Process / Facilities Engineer

Dana Corporation - Traction Technologies
04.1997 - 02.2002

B.S. - Mechanical Engineering

Virginia Polytechnic Institute (Virginia Tech)

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