Program Manager at Innotec
Greater Grand Rapids, Michigan Area
- Current
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- Program Manager at Innotec
- Past
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- Senior Practitioner at Simplicity Tactics LLC
- Senior Product Development Engineer at Knoll
- Account Manager / Sales Representative at N-K Manufacturing Technologies
- Advanced Product Development Engineer / Manufacturing Engineer at Magna Donnelly
- Manufacturing / Launch Engineer / Tooling Team Manager at Johnson Controls
- Assembly Tooling Engineer at Lacks Enterprises
- Manufacturing Engineer at Magna International
- Manufacturing Process Engineer / Materials Research Engineer at Donnelly Corporation
- Education
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- Grand Valley State University
- Hope College
- Grandville High School
- Recommended
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3 people have recommended Jim - Connections
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340
connections
- Industry
- Management Consulting
Jim Galer , MBA, SIX SIGMA’s Summary
Product development and engineering professional with 17 years experience in conceptualization, design, development, and production of durable goods for domestic and international manufacturing. Expertise in assessing technical requirements to achieve innovative customer-oriented solutions. Delivered increased product sales and profitability through extensive customer interaction using strengths in creativity, problem solving, project planning, and synthesis.
Jim Galer , MBA, SIX SIGMA’s Specialties:
Ideation
International and Domestic Supply Chain Development
Product Development
Cross-Functional Team Leadership
Quality Operating Systems
Product Launches
Continuous Improvement
Research & Development Programs
Benchmarking
Resource Allocation
Lean Manufacturing
Jim Galer , MBA, SIX SIGMA’s Experience
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Program Manager
Innotec
(Privately Held; Automotive industry)
November 2009 — Present (2 months)
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Senior Practitioner
Simplicity Tactics LLC
(Privately Held; Management Consulting industry)
February 2009 — November 2009 (10 months)
Developed and implemented strategic and tactical plans for businesses in turnaround and crisis situations for this start-up consulting practice.
• Conceptualized, designed, and executed streamlined process flows utilizing Six Sigma methodology to increase effectiveness and efficiency on client projects.
• Conducted training events and seminars focused on assisting local industry to overcome organizational hurdles to increased profitability and long-term viability. -
Senior Product Development Engineer
Knoll
(Public Company; 1001-5000 employees; Furniture industry)
July 2004 — April 2008 (3 years 10 months)
Ideated and directed design and development cycle of products through manufacturing launch.
* Designed, developed, and launched new product offerings for two office panel systems resulting in a 15% annual increase in sales.
* Researched, coordinated, and implemented cost savings using Six Sigma initiatives resulting in $1 million annual material savings and improved efficiency and manufacturing utilization.
* Traveled to Asia multiple times to develop an innovative product solution that utilized fiberglass materials in panel systems. Developed aluminum extruder, metal fabrication, powder coating, and laser cutting suppliers to improve quality which resulted in $600,000 in cost reductions. -
Account Manager / Sales Representative
N-K Manufacturing Technologies
(Automotive industry)
February 2004 — July 2004 (6 months)
Managed all aspects of commercial sales activities between company and customers. Maintained a customer-focused, quality-driven relationship with all accounts to exceed expectations.
* Managed technical and commercial accounts representing 70% of the company’s sales.
* Marketed and sold plastic components to automotive customers resulting in the 45% sales growth. -
Advanced Product Development Engineer / Manufacturing Engineer
Magna Donnelly
(Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; Automotive industry)
1998 — 2003 (5 years )
Advanced Product Development Engineer
Created and innovated new concepts in engineered glass systems that exceeded customer expectations and were feasible for market and manufacturing.
* Designed and marketed new engineered glass systems with domestic and transnational customers resulting in $35 million in new business.
* Invented and delivered a $19.5 million power and manual sliding window program that revolutionized the design and functional appearance of the glazing of a major OEM truck product.
Manufacturing Engineer
Organized and eliminated process and product waste from molding, paint, and assembly workcells. Integrated processes and planned and coordinated a facility expansion to handle increased business.
* Launched assembly tooling and work cells for 3 mirror programs totaling $500,000 in capital on time and to goal of zero defects.
* Planned and executed a $1.5 million facility expansion on time and budget while reorganizing workcells and production machinery. -
Manufacturing / Launch Engineer / Tooling Team Manager
Johnson Controls
(Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; JCI; Automotive industry)
1997 — 1998 (1 year )
Oversaw production lines and supporting tooling to maximize uptime and efficiency. Managed a team of technicians over three shifts and implemented a SMED program for efficiency.
* Implemented assembly tooling and manufacturing work cells for 4 headliner programs that generated $23 million in sales.
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Assembly Tooling Engineer
Lacks Enterprises
(Privately Held; 1001-5000 employees; Automotive industry)
1996 — 1997 (1 year )
Conceptualized, oversaw design, and created, and managed budgets for construction of new automated workcells and tooling for production of automotive assemblies.
* Designed, purchased, and installed $10 million in new capital assembly equipment on time, budget, and plan allowing launch functions to exceed their targets. -
Manufacturing Engineer
Magna International
(Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; MGA; Automotive industry)
1995 — 1996 (1 year )
Designed, purchased, and installed new assembly equipment and streamlined process flow for $18 million outside mirror program which drastically improved process and labor efficiency.
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Manufacturing Process Engineer / Materials Research Engineer
Donnelly Corporation
(Automotive industry)
1991 — 1995 (4 years )
Manufacturing Process Engineer
Implemented complete overhaul of $4 million magnetron sputtering process on time, budget, and plan resulting in less overall downtime and a reduction in scrap.
Materials Research Engineer
Researched, recommended, and implemented a new adhesive process that reduced warranty claims by $14 million annually.
Jim Galer , MBA, SIX SIGMA’s Education
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Grand Valley State University
MBA , Marketing , 2001 — 2004
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Hope College
B.S. , Engineering Physics , 1987 — 1991
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Grandville High School
1983 — 1987
Additional Information
Jim Galer , MBA, SIX SIGMA’s Interests:
Boating, skiing, sailing, travelling.
Jim Galer , MBA, SIX SIGMA’s Groups:
Society of Manufacturing Engineers, American Society for Quality
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Innovation People Expert Innovators Creative Network -
Lean Six Sigma -
Geocaching -
USA Hockey -
LinkedUp Grand Rapids -
Wind Energy Professionals -
Hope College -
GRTechLunch -
SME Society of Manufacturing Engineers -
GRYP - Grand Rapids Young Professionals -
JobAngels -
LinkedUp Holland -
Great Lakes Alternative & Advanced Energy
Jim Galer , MBA, SIX SIGMA’s Honors:
Six Sigma Black Belt
US Patent 5,587,236, “Interior Rear View Mirror Mounting System,” issued December 24, 1996
US Patent 6,691,464, “Vertical Slider Window Assembly,” issued February 17, 2004
US Patent 7,003,916, “Horizontal Slider Window Assembly,” issued February 28, 2006
US Patent 7,073,293, “Horizontal Slider Window Assembly,” issued July 11, 2006
US Patent Application 10/408,047, “Slider Window Assembly,” filed April 4, 2003
US Patent Application 10/454,040, “Slider Window Assembly,” filed June 4, 2003
US Patent Application 10/697,372, "Horizontal Slider Window Assembly." filed October 29, 2003
Jim Galer , MBA, SIX SIGMA’s Contact Settings
Interested In:
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- consulting offers
- new ventures
- job inquiries
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- reference requests
- getting back in touch
