Martin Branton
Johnson City,USA
Summary
Results-oriented Management and Quality Management professional with over 40 years in Manufacturing, including 28 years in Quality Management and 2 years in Plant Management within Automotive Tier 2 supply. Expertise includes Management, Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, and Continuous Improvement processes. Proven track record of driving team collaboration and achieving operational excellence.
Overview
41
41
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Quality Manager TNTN
Tsubaki-Nakashima (TN Tennessee, LLC)
10.2024 - Current
- Directed Quality functions for Ball Bearing and Roller Bearing facilities with 255 total employees.
- Oversaw Quality teams, ensuring compliance with industry standards across both facilities.
- Managed a team of 10 direct reports in the Quality Department, fostering professional development.
- Provided direct oversight of metallurgy lab, monitoring heat treat processes for rotary and batch furnaces.
- Prepared monthly and annual Quality reports for regional and global stakeholders, ensuring transparency.
- Assumed Quality responsibilities during management restructuring, enhancing operational continuity across facilities.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to implement process improvements and drive quality initiatives.
- Developed training programs to enhance employee competency in quality assurance practices.
Plant Manager-Erwin Ball & Roller Operations
Tsubaki-Nakashima (TN Tennessee, LLC)
09.2022 - 09.2024
- Increased daily production from 30k to 40k pounds through operational optimization.
- Directed management staff across multiple departments, enhancing operational efficiency and safety.
- Collaborated with sales teams for monthly production and sales forecasting accuracy.
- Implemented High-Performance Operation initiative, improving employee cross-training and succession planning.
- Monitored departmental spending, aligning strategies with inventory control and profit goals.
Quality Manager-Erwin Ball and Roller Operations
Tsubaki-Nakashima (TN Tennessee, LLC)
02.2020 - 09.2022
- Directed Quality functions for Ball Bearing and Roller Bearing facilities with 180 employees.
- Reported directly to Plant Manager, ensuring alignment with strategic quality objectives.
- Managed a team of 10 direct reports within the Quality Department to achieve operational excellence.
- Oversaw metallurgy laboratory focusing on monitoring heat treat processing for rotary retort and batch furnaces.
- Conducted monthly and annual quality reporting for regional and global stakeholders to ensure compliance.
- Implemented quality control initiatives that enhanced product reliability and customer satisfaction.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to address quality issues and drive continuous improvement.
- Established training programs for quality staff to enhance skills and maintain high performance standards.
Quality Manager-Erwin Roller Operations
Tsubaki-Nakashima (TN Tennessee, LLC)
04.2019 - 02.2020
- Directed all quality functions for 90 employee roller bearing manufacturing facility. Sales in excess of $20M, managing 5 direct reports. Management representative for ISO/IATF Certification. Managed Customer Complaints, PPAP, Calibration, and Continual Improvements for the Quality function.
Quality Manager/Management Representative
Smoky Mountain Machining, Inc.
12.1996 - 04.2019
- Achieved IATF 16949 registration by managing Quality System transitions effectively.
- Established compliant Gage Calibration System using GageTrak Software for tracking. Managed internal and third-party audits, ensuring timely corrective actions closure.
- Managed Control Plans, PFMEA, and Capability Studies for quality assurance processes.
- Acted as Customer Representative, addressing quality and production concerns directly.
Production Supervisor
Smoky Mountain Machining, Inc.
05.1995 - 12.1996
- Job functions included overseeing Production CNC Operators, Set Up Personnel and Light Assembly on 3rd and 1st shifts at different times. Also coordinated and assisted CNC Set Ups on the shifts. Responsible for program changes on the CNC Machines.
- Led production team to achieve operational efficiency and meet project deadlines.
- Implemented quality control measures to enhance product standards and reduce defects.
- Trained new employees on safety protocols and machine operation procedures.
- Coordinated scheduling and workflow management to optimize resource allocation.
Set-Up Technician
Rockwell-Dodge Automation
03.1994 - 04.1995
- CNC Lathes/CNC Mills/Warner Swayzee Chucker/Balancers and Broaches) I was responsible for setting up and operation of the D-Flex Cell, including Kan-Ban responsibilities and inspection of the product.
Set Up/Programming Tech.
Morrow Enterprises, Inc.
12.1992 - 03.1994
- Set Up and Programming of Hurco CNC Mills for producing molds for the plastic injection mold industry. I became acclimated to all areas of the Injection Mold machining functions and set up a tool crib and handled purchasing for the company.
Various Job Functions
Outboard Marine Corporation (Johnson/Evinrude)
08.1984 - 12.1992
- Ensured quality standards by inspecting Lamb Transfer Line operations and processes.
- Operated CNC machines, producing precision components for various engineering applications.
- Performed quality control checks, maintaining product standards throughout production.
- Analyzed machining and assembly processes, identifying areas for quality improvement.
- Developed new CNC programs and tooling tests for over 50 machining units.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
Education
Some College (No Degree) - Quality Management And Statistics
Asheville-Buncombe Technical University
Asheville, NCHigh School Diploma -
Mountain Heritage High School
Burnsville, NC06.1984
Skills
- Microsoft Office
- ERP/MRP software systems
- GageTrak and GagePak Calibration software
- Minitab Statistics
- IMDS Portal
- Quality management systems
- Compliance monitoring
- Corrective actions
Certification
- Advanced Problem Solving-University of Tennessee
- VDA PFMEA Training-University of Tennessee
- Carboloy Engineering Applications
- SPC
- Advanced SPC
- IATF 16949/ISO 9001 Internal Auditor Certification
- AS9100 Internal Auditor Certificate
- Quality Management
- Lean Manufacturing-4 events 40 hours each (Kennametal)
- 5S/Continual Improvement training
Special Courses
- CNC Programming Courses
- CMM Programming Courses (Brown & Sharpe)-PC DMIS CAD++ Basic & Advanced (Zeiss)-U SOFT
Software Experience
- Microsoft Office
- ERP/MRP software systems
- GageTrak and GagePak Calibration software
- Minitab Statistics
- IMDS Portal
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Quality Manager TNTN
Tsubaki-Nakashima (TN Tennessee, LLC)
10.2024 - Current
Plant Manager-Erwin Ball & Roller Operations
Tsubaki-Nakashima (TN Tennessee, LLC)
09.2022 - 09.2024
Quality Manager-Erwin Ball and Roller Operations
Tsubaki-Nakashima (TN Tennessee, LLC)
02.2020 - 09.2022
Quality Manager-Erwin Roller Operations
Tsubaki-Nakashima (TN Tennessee, LLC)
04.2019 - 02.2020
Quality Manager/Management Representative
Smoky Mountain Machining, Inc.
12.1996 - 04.2019
Production Supervisor
Smoky Mountain Machining, Inc.
05.1995 - 12.1996
Set-Up Technician
Rockwell-Dodge Automation
03.1994 - 04.1995
Set Up/Programming Tech.
Morrow Enterprises, Inc.
12.1992 - 03.1994
Various Job Functions
Outboard Marine Corporation (Johnson/Evinrude)
08.1984 - 12.1992
High School Diploma -
Mountain Heritage High School
Some College (No Degree) - Quality Management And Statistics
Asheville-Buncombe Technical University