Open To Work
Mike B. Payne
Work Preference
Summary
Senior Supplier Development Engineer in the Automotive Industry with more than 29 years of experience in Tier 1 (20yrs) / Tier 2 (9yrs) automotive manufacturing, specializing in customer quality, supplier quality, APQP, PPAP, Safe Launch, Root cause analysis and continuous improvement. Proven success supporting OEM customers, including Mercedes, BMW and Zoox. Experienced in leading corrective actions, launch readiness activities, supporting Run@Rate, containment activities and cross-functional problem-solving teams in high volume manufacturing environments. Experienced in performing VDA 6.3 process audits, risk analysis audits and reviewing CQI audits.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Supplier Development Engineer
ZF / ZF Foxconn Chassis Modules
Tuscaloosa
05.2010 - 07.2026
- Managed supply base for chassis assembly plants for OEMs including Mercedes, BMW, and Zoox, overseeing components such as stampings (brackets, camber arms and washers), fasteners, brake hoses, suspension lines and hoses (ARS), thermal hoses, stabilizer links, ball joints, and wheel bearings.
- Managed APQP and PPAP processes throughout assigned supply base (Project and Series).
- Trained individuals on the PPAP process and provided support with PPAPs for Mercedes.
- Performed PPAP 2nd eye reviews, which assisted the plant so they could be submitted to the customer with a high approval rate.
- Led meetings to address and monitor open issues, driving problem solving, continuous improvement, and implementation of corrective actions.
- Established positive, trustworthy and effective working relationships at the customer and supply base levels.
- Demonstrated strong communication, customer service, and organizational skills, enhancing customer satisfaction for assigned supply base products.
- Experience with Special Processes including Heat Treatment, Plating / Coatings, E-Coat and Micro glue.
- Documented the CR and SREA PPAP process for the plant.
Supplier Quality Engineer
Inteva/Delphi(Contract-Bartech)
Cottondale
06.2006 - 12.2008
- Managed supply base by holding weekly vendor meetings to discuss and track current open issues and assisted them in problem solving, continuous improvement and implementing corrective actions which successfully reduced the supplier PPM by 40%.
- Coordinated and approved PPAP submissions from suppliers, ensuring timely compliance with customer requirements.
- Obtained PPAP approvals from the customer and worked with product engineering to ensure the successful launching of engineering changes & new products.
- Managed supply base for cockpit assembly plant, overseeing stamping and welding (cross-car beam), injection molding (HVAC and plastic components), fasteners, and steering columns to ensure quality and compliance.
- Acted as key contact for Mercedes, ensuring smooth interactions with suppliers.
- Cultivated positive and effective relationships with customers and suppliers, enhancing collaboration and trust.
- Utilized the cost recovery process to recover lost plant downtime and customer charge backs to drive permanent corrective action and continuous improvement at the supply base.
- Managed PPM database for supplier returns & corporate reporting.
Quality Engineer /PPAP Coordinator/Process Engineer
In2Connect, Inc.
Cullman
02.1997 - 04.2006
- Coordinated and submitted all PPAP documentation to ensure timely customer approvals.
- Obtained PPAP approvals from the customer and worked with manufacturing to ensure the successful launching of engineering changes & new products.
- Coordinated and approved all PPAP submissions from suppliers to facilitate new product launches.
- Developed and implemented document control network to enhance record-keeping and compliance.
- Created, revised and updated all documents within the network.
- Developed and implemented SPC data collection, employee training records and maintenance records using the network workstations, which were located throughout the manufacturing process.
- This extensive project was implemented as a cost reduction, to keep more efficient records, to improve process monitoring and to ensure document control.
- Coordinated, prepared and submitted all IMDS submissions on the supplier and customer level.
Education
Engineering Major -
Wallace State College
Hanceville, AlSkills
- Supplier Management and Development
- VDA 63 Process Audits
- IATF 16949 Standards
- Customer Standards
- Quality Management System or Risk Analysis Audits
- CQI Audit Review
- APQP Management & PPAP
- Quality Assurance
- Root Cause Analysis using 8D Methodology
- Pareto Charts & Fishbone Diagrams
- PFMEA, Control Plans and Process FLow
- Run at Rate
- Safe Launch
- Continuous Improvement
- Customer Quality Support
- Microsoft Excel & Google Suite
Training
- AIAG FMEA Training
- Daimler Process Audit according to VDA 6.3
- VDA 6.3 Process Auditor
- PPAP 4th Edition
- Negotiations Training
- GD & T Overview
- Six Sigma Black Belt
Computer Experience
- Microsoft Office – Access/Excel/PowerPoint/Word
- Minitab
- SupplyOn
- Teamcenter/Vis View
- ETQ
- IMDS
- SAP
- PIA
- Empower QLM
- JIRA
Timeline
Senior Supplier Development Engineer
ZF / ZF Foxconn Chassis Modules
05.2010 - 07.2026
Supplier Quality Engineer
Inteva/Delphi(Contract-Bartech)
06.2006 - 12.2008
Quality Engineer /PPAP Coordinator/Process Engineer
In2Connect, Inc.
02.1997 - 04.2006
Engineering Major -
Wallace State College