Michael Chambers
Cane Bay
Summary
Dynamic Site Quality Manager at GKN Aerospace with a proven track record in driving continuous quality improvement and leading multifunctional teams. Achieved a 49% reduction in the Cost of Poor Quality while enhancing compliance through advanced quality planning and strategic initiatives. Expert in Six Sigma methodologies and fostering employee engagement.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Site Quality Manager
GKN Aerospace
Phoenix
01.2023 - 06.2025
- Invited to support the transition activities from GKN to Boeing following the assets takeover in June 2024. In this role, I was involved in both production and systems engineering transfers while continuing as a senior leader with decision-making authority.
- Senior Site Leader that develops and maintains quality standards and plans/procedures to assure company products meet required specifications, standards, and systems to meet the needs & expectations of the sites interested parties and therefore maintain all associated certification and regulatory approvals.
- My team provide the guidance, governance and expertise to the site leadership team to nurture a culture of Quality in all site activities, ensure quality compliance and support the delivery of the site business objectives.
- Working collaboratively with the site Senior Leadership Team to create and sustain a Quality culture and provide appropriate governance and assurance leadership.
- Planning, implementation, maintenance and continuous improvement of the site QMS/BMS in compliance with industry standards, applicable Aviation Safety laws, customer and GKN Aerospace Global Standards requirements.
- Systemic analysis of QMS/BMS data to the site Management Review process ensuring effective, data based, factual inputs to business decisions.
- Ensuring the sites audit requirements are integral to the Regional Audit Manager plans, ensuring compliance with QMS/BMS internal, customer (2nd party) and external (3rd party) audit requirements and delivering on site follow up activities.
- Planning, conducting & follow up activities (including systemic analysis of risk/opportunity) of product and production process audit as required by the programs and to assure proper discharge of delegated product quality related activities in the organization in support of product safety and conformity.
- Systemic risk management and mitigation for the QMS/BMS with focus on compliance, deployment and effectiveness. Escalating any QMS/BMS risks to the Site Leadership, and if applicable/appropriate the accountable manager (POA/MOA) and Business Line Quality Systems Director for support/co-ordination of appropriate actions to mitigate/address these risks.
- Coordination, planning, hosting and leadership of all Customer (2nd party) & Certification Body (3rd party) audits and assessments to ensure successful outcome and, supporting Site Local Business Process Managers (LBPM) in resolving any issues raised as part of the audits.
- Act as the site representation on QMS/BMS and Quality compliance related matters with Customers, Certifying Bodies and Aerospace Authorities.
- Directing Local Business Process Managers (LBPM) to ensure the adoption of the GKNA Global Standards, adapting and tailoring the local QMS/BMS processes that control and improve effectiveness and efficiency, to support achieving business objectives.
- Planning and management of the system requirements for hosting and deployment of the local QMS/BMS, its stated processes & associated controls and for training people who will be defining/utilizing its functions.
- Recording and measuring of any defined Site QMS/BMS Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and for taking the actions necessary to improve.
- Managing Continuous Improvement of the QMS/BMS as well as forward planning on the integration of new regulation/specification requirements.
- Metrics achieved 2023/2024 - Cost of Poor Quality 49% reduction, Escapes 100% reduction, Tag’s 20% reduction, Scrap 25% reduction, Supplier Escapes 43% reduction, Productivity 24% increase.
Manufacturing Engineering & Quality Manager
GKN Aerospace
03.2017 - 01.2023
- Identify and manage daily activities in line with the Quality & Manufacturing Engineering Functional objectives, Business Vision and Customer requirements.
- Manage teams of problem solvers leading to activities that will support significant project improvements including processes, quality standards and behavior cultures that minimize risks to the business.
- Collaborate with site management to devise and execute strategies to exceed metrics, reduce the Cost of Poor Quality and achieve both short and long-term organizational objectives.
- Coordinating the Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) activities, developing Control Plans, and facilitating Corrective Action meetings.
- Responsible for all areas of Quality including, DMAIC Six Sigma and 8D activities, Customer Relations, Escapes, Scrap Value, Concessions and all Product Release activities.
- Responsible for the final configuration standard declared at point of shipment managing the Quality Configuration Engineers and Attestation tools.
- Report the performance of Quality to the business and Site Leadership Team in regular communication updates including clear mitigation plans to improve KPI objectives.
- Employee engagement support (Engagement Super-Champion – supporting all leaders and employees.
- Leading strong Continuous Improvement culture and developing highly engaged site functional teams.
- Building resilient teams to create clarity out of ambiguity, and find creative solutions to problems.
- Successfully worked in a matrix managed organization with the ability to influence without direct authority.
- Over 13.000.000 monthly Sales, 28.000 STV target across 3 value streams with 100 % OTD.
- Recognized by customers for improving business quality, and at the Supplier Quality Improvement Awards.
Quality Compliance Controller
GKN Aerospace
10.2011 - 03.2017
- Owner of the generation and control of the customer attestation documentation (CAIR) for Major Assemblies.
- Continuous improvement activities in line with the value stream and Quality Management System.
- Managed and contributed to both internal and external customer-facing reviews regarding product release, configuration assurance and compliance activities and have supported the business from Rate 1 (MSN001) through to Rate 10.
- A CAA Form 1 certifying team member and Certificate of Conformity release signatory, being the point of contact for CAA coaching activities and supported all CAA audits and investigations.
- Owned and developed supporting procedures to reflect correct and current working practices by creating and delivering training programs to the quality release team and ensured that team members are developed and deployed to attain knowledge to support release activities.
- Advise and coach GKN Western Approach workforce on regulatory and quality assurance matters, providing audit and other key performance indicators as required.
- Created, developed, documented and deployed various process flows, supporting procedures and work instructions currently used by the business to assure conformance to internal and external quality standards.
- Development and deployment of traceability and allocation SAP tools, further work management & Interventions and involved in concession reduction activities using root cause analysis, practical problem solving, material review boards and various certification & inspection controls.
Logistics Controller
Daher (GKN AEROSPACE)
10.2010 - 03.2011
Education
HNC Diploma - Quality Fundamentals and People Factors
DHI International Quality College
A Level - Business Studies, Geography, Music
Skills
- Six Sigma Green and Black Belt
- Certified quality professional
- Internal and supply chain auditing
- Multifunctional team leadership
- Employee engagement
- Continuous quality improvement (CQI)
- Problem-solving methodologies (PPS)
- 8D problem-solving expertise
- Failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA)
- Statistical process control (SPC)
- Measurement system analysis (MSA)
- Supplier quality reviews
- Budget and cost management
- Forecasting and planning strategies
- Operational performance planning (OPP)
- Strategic quality initiatives
- Advanced product quality planning (APQP)
- Production part approval process (PPAP)
- Business KPI analysis and forecasting
- Transformational leadership in ERP systems
- SAP super user expertise
Affiliations
- HR Certification Institute (HRCI), 14.5
- Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), 14.5
- X5 – CEO & Directors Award, for continuous improvement and support
- MHFA, Certified Mental Health First Aider and Wellbeing Champion
Hobbies and Interests
- Keen player of the guitar & enjoy all aspects of music
- Following Formula 1
- Spending time with family and friends
- Outdoor Pursuits – Boating and Water Sports
Highlights Of Expertise
- Six Sigma Green Belt Certified & Black Belt
- Certified Chartered Quality Professional CQP MCQI
- AS9100 Revision C Internal Audit & EN-AS 9100:2016 Supply Chain Audit Certified
- Multifunctional Team Management in all areas of the business
- Certifying Stamp Holder with CAA & POA privileges
- Employee engagement champion & leading through change (Gallup score 4.72/5)
- CQI, PPS & 8D Level 4 certified practitioner FMEA, SPC and MSA
- High Level Supplier Quality Reviews
- Budget/Cost Control/forecasting
- OPP
- Strategic Quality Planning APQP/PPAP
- Business KPI Forecasting
- Leadership courses - Set4Success
- Leading high performing teams – Transformational Leadership
- ERP Super User (SAP)
Professional Development
- John Garland- Leadership Course, 2017
- Set4Success – GKN Program
- Gallup Certified Employee Engagement Super-Champion, 01/01/20
Timeline
Site Quality Manager
GKN Aerospace
01.2023 - 06.2025
Manufacturing Engineering & Quality Manager
GKN Aerospace
03.2017 - 01.2023
Quality Compliance Controller
GKN Aerospace
10.2011 - 03.2017
Logistics Controller
Daher (GKN AEROSPACE)
10.2010 - 03.2011
HNC Diploma - Quality Fundamentals and People Factors
DHI International Quality College