Years of professional experience
Steven Cooper
Team Leader
Oakland County,MI
Summary
I am actively seeking motivated, hardworking individuals who are interested in building a rewarding career in manufacturing. If you are driven by teamwork, continuous improvement, and operational excellence, I would welcome the opportunity to connect and discuss opportunities within my team.
Overview
20
20
Work History
Team Leader
Ford Motor Company
Dearborn, MI
11.2021 - Current
- Direct daily operations of a manufacturing shift responsible for more than $55 million in annual production revenue, within a department generating over $165 million annually, while ensuring achievement of key business and operational performance objectives.
- Lead all aspects of Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, People, Maintenance, and Environment (SQDCPME) performance, overseeing a team of hourly employees in a high-volume automotive manufacturing environment and driving results that support customer satisfaction, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.
- Accountable for overall department performance, including achievement of safety metrics, quality objectives, production targets, labor efficiency goals, and customer delivery requirements.
- Lead, coach, and develop a team of production employees, fostering a culture of accountability, teamwork, safety, and continuous improvement.
- Manage daily manpower allocation, staffing adjustments, and production scheduling to maximize operational efficiency and maintain uninterrupted production flow.
- Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and implementing corrective actions to address safety concerns, quality issues, production losses, and process inefficiencies.
- Coordinate cross-functional activities with Materials Planning & Logistics (MP&L), Skilled Trades, Quality, Engineering, and Production Control teams to resolve constraints and support plant objectives.
- Direct quality containment and problem-solving activities to ensure non-conforming products are identified, contained, and prevented from reaching customers.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on increasing throughput, reducing waste, improving first-time quality, and enhancing overall equipment effectiveness.
Lead Driver
Performance Driven Workforce
Dearborn, MI
02.2018 - 11.2021
- Supported Ford and Roush prototype engineering programs at the New Model Programs Development Center (NMPDC), evaluating pre-production vehicles and providing detailed feedback on vehicle functionality, performance, quality, and customer experience.
- Led testing and evaluation efforts for the Mustang Mach-E program, with a focus on global right-hand-drive vehicle variants.
- Recognized for diagnosing and documenting complex issues involving electric vehicle systems and SYNC Gen 4 software.
- Led Phone-as-a-Key (PAAK) testing initiatives for Lincoln vehicles, collaborating with engineering teams to troubleshoot connectivity and communication issues.
- Conducted vehicle durability and degradation testing throughout multiple prototype development phases, including TT, PP, MP1, and MP2 builds.
- Delivered detailed technical feedback to engineering teams to support product development and validation activities.
Backup Utility
Ford Motor Company
Dearborn, MI
06.2016 - 11.2021
- Performed quality assurance and production support functions across multiple manufacturing areas while ensuring compliance with Ford quality standards and production requirements.
- Conducted hourly quality audits across six production groups to ensure compliance with ISO 9000 quality standards.
- Identified, analyzed, documented, and resolved production and quality concerns.
- Led containment activities for suspect components across multiple facilities within the Rouge Complex to prevent defective product from reaching customers.
- Supported continuous improvement initiatives focused on quality, safety, and operational efficiency.
Ground Lead / Aircraft Deicer (Seasonal)
Integrated Deicing Services
Detroit, MI
12.2017 - 04.2020
- Supervised deicing and anti-icing operations at Detroit Metropolitan Airport, ensuring aircraft compliance with FAA regulations and the Clean Aircraft Concept while supporting multiple domestic and international carriers.
- Oversaw safe and efficient deicing operations for Delta Connection, American Airlines, Spirit, Frontier, JetBlue, DHL, FedEx, Lufthansa, Royal Jordanian, Air France, and other carriers.
- Inspected aircraft during deicing operations to verify removal of contaminants and compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Trained and mentored employees on aircraft deicing procedures, marshalling techniques, pilot communications, and operational safety.
- Provided guidance on proper deicing and anti-icing treatment selection based on weather conditions and aircraft type.
- Maintained strict adherence to safety, quality, and environmental standards.
Project Manager
Novastar Solutions
Livonia, MI
07.2010 - 11.2018
- Managed a global technology asset portfolio valued at approximately $10 million supporting Ford Motor Company and Masco Corporation engineering operations across 85 North American facilities.
- Planned and executed large-scale engineering workstation deployment, replacement, and asset lifecycle initiatives.
- Coordinated cross-functional stakeholders including lifecycle management teams, analysts, suppliers, and end users to ensure seamless project execution.
- Managed asset decommissioning and end-of-life processes while maintaining compliance and inventory accuracy.
- Developed project schedules, monitored milestones, and ensured successful completion of technology refresh initiatives.
Supervisor / Quality Leader / Assembly Operator
Ford Motor Company
Wayne, MI
10.2011 - 06.2016
- Managed production operations across three assembly lines and supervised more than 120 hourly employees while driving safety, quality, productivity, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Directed daily labor management activities to achieve production, quality, and safety objectives during the plant's $550 million transformation project.
- Conducted performance management, coaching, employee development, and accountability initiatives.
- Led daily startup meetings and established operational goals aligned with plant performance metrics.
- Collaborated with Industrial Engineering teams to optimize workstation layouts, improve cycle times, and maximize value-added activities.
- Worked closely with Incoming Quality teams to investigate and resolve supplier quality concerns.
- Led quality containment efforts on chassis assembly operations, ensuring customer protection and defect prevention.
- Identified recurring assembly issues and developed corrective actions that were adopted across multiple production areas.
- Demonstrated strong leadership in workforce engagement, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.
- Michigan Assembly Plant
Material Specialist
Blue Bird Corporation
Fort Valley, GA
10.2008 - 04.2009
- Managed warehouse and inventory operations supporting school bus manufacturing while driving lean manufacturing and material flow improvements.
- Managed inventory exceeding $14 million while achieving inventory performance above industry benchmarks.
- Implemented Just-in-Time (JIT) inventory processes at a new manufacturing facility.
- Developed lean sequencing processes for engine and transmission assembly operations, reducing waste and operating costs.
- Led quality control initiatives for kitting operations, reducing shortages and improving assembly efficiency by 15%.
- Reported inventory and operational performance metrics directly to plant leadership.
Human Resources Representative
Macy's / Marshall Field's
Taylor, MI
04.2006 - 09.2008
- Supported human resources operations including employee relations, staffing, training, performance management, and policy administration.
- Administered company policies and employee discipline processes while ensuring compliance and consistency.
- Led employee training efforts during the Marshall Field's to Macy's corporate transition.
- Conducted individual and group interviews for hourly and seasonal positions.
- Coordinated recruitment, onboarding, and training for more than 100 seasonal employees.
- Supported workforce planning and staffing initiatives to meet operational demands.
Education
Bachelors Degree - Business Management
Eastern Michigan University
Associates Degree - Lean Manufacturing
Monroe Community College
Timeline
Team Leader
Ford Motor Company
11.2021 - Current
Lead Driver
Performance Driven Workforce
02.2018 - 11.2021
Ground Lead / Aircraft Deicer (Seasonal)
Integrated Deicing Services
12.2017 - 04.2020
Backup Utility
Ford Motor Company
06.2016 - 11.2021
Supervisor / Quality Leader / Assembly Operator
Ford Motor Company
10.2011 - 06.2016
Project Manager
Novastar Solutions
07.2010 - 11.2018
Material Specialist
Blue Bird Corporation
10.2008 - 04.2009
Human Resources Representative
Macy's / Marshall Field's
04.2006 - 09.2008
Associates Degree - Lean Manufacturing
Monroe Community College
Bachelors Degree - Business Management
Eastern Michigan University