Group QA Manager
Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
- Current
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- Divisional QA Manager at domnick hunter
- Founder and Contributor at LearnSigma
- Past
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- QA Manager at domnick hunter
- QHSE manager at Viasystems
- Quality Engineer at ABB Power Generation (GEC)
- Planner at AMEC Offshore
- Apprentice at NEI Parsons (SIEMENS)
- Education
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- University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne
- University of Durham
- The Open University
- University of Northumbria
- Newcastle College
- Burnside High School
- Recommended
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10 people have recommended Robert - Connections
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143
connections
- Industry
- Mechanical or Industrial Engineering
- Websites
Robert Thompson’s Summary
Send LinkedIn requests to: robert.thompson@parker.com
Personal email: qa.manager@yahoo.co.uk
Contact me online: learnsigma.com or visit my hub at rob-thompson.com
http://twtbizcard.com/robthompson
Robert Thompson is an engineer & manager by education; QSE professional by experience & statistical enthusiast out of necessity. Robert believes that although it is easy to lie with statistics, it is hard to tell the truth without them. He holds a BEng (Hons) from the University of Northumbria, an MSc in Total Quality, Safety & Environmental Management from the Open University & an MBA from the University of Durham, along with several other qualifications. After completing a mechanical apprenticeship, he moved into planning for the offshore industry, followed by a move into quality for a consulting firm. Next he moved into high-volume electronics as a quality manager & finally to a filter manufacturing company in NE England. He is an EFQM Business Excellence Assessor, Six Sigma Black Belt, Member of the Institute of Quality Assurance, Institute of Occupational Safety & Health, American Society for Quality, & also the Chartered Institute of Management.
Robert Thompson’s Specialties:
quality, quality assurance, lean, six sigma, management systems, ISO 9001, ISO14001, OHSAS 18001, 16949, 13485, 17025, business systems improvement, business excellence,6 sigma
Robert Thompson’s Experience
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Divisional QA Manager
domnick hunter
(Public Company; Machinery industry)
November 2008 — Present (9 months)
Led the quality assurance function across 3 sites
Provided leadership and support to site quality teams
Developed cross-divisional objectives and improvement projects -
Founder and Contributor
LearnSigma
(Mechanical or Industrial Engineering industry)
July 2007 — Present (2 years 1 month)
Founder of LearnSigma, found at learnsigma.com. LearnSigma is a site dedicated to news, opinions and articles about lean manufacturing, the Toyota Production System, lean enterprise, quality systems and six-sigma. Although I run LearnSigma as a hobby I also use it as a way of learning about the ever changing world of continuous improvement, and hopefully the Blog contributes something back to the wider community!
Also contribute to blogs for The Manufacturer (http://www.themanufacturer.com/uk/) -
QA Manager
domnick hunter
(Public Company; Machinery industry)
2001 — October 2008 (7 years)
Parker is a top 20 Lean company & top 25 Quality Leadership company (see links below)
Achieved ISO14001 certification in 6 months.
Implemented ISO9001 certification at two facilities.
Co-ordinated all audits.
Installed quality systems software solutions.
Introduced Six Sigma style systems throughout the facility.
Upgraded business processes & management systems to attain PS9100 & ISO13485 certification.
Reorganised the existing QA Dept to provide direct manufacturing reject prevention involvement & a strong customer-focused support function.
Assisted with the implementation of the Group Lean Enterprise initiative.
Transformed the existing complaints management & products return system to use an 8D problem-solving approach, creating a bespoke global database of real-time information.
Organised & led regular business performance reviews with Directors.
Links:
http://tinyurl.com/29ugwe
http://tinyurl.com/6xosos
http://tinyurl.com/6l65gr -
QHSE manager
Viasystems
(Public Company; 501-1000 employees; VSGP; Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing industry)
1998 — 2001 (3 years)
Assisted to set-up and grow the facility from an empty warehouse to an organisation employing over 100 personnel. Responsible for all quality, safety and environmental matters.
Attained ISO 9002, ISO 14001 and ISO/TS 16949 (automotive) certification.
Liased with customers to reduce PPM levels via the establishment of a robust new product introduction system based around APQP requirements and including Kaizen events.
Designed and implemented the OHSAS 18001 health and safety system, gaining productivity, quality and safety improvements via ergonomic job redesign.
Led the EFQM Business Excellence project using best practice techniques such as benchmarking and balanced scorecard initiatives.
Conducted Business Excellence training, audits, inspections, accident investigations and health, safety and environmental risk assessments. -
Quality Engineer
ABB Power Generation (GEC)
(Public Company; 51-200 employees; ABBN; Construction industry)
1992 — 1998 (6 years)
Planned, co-ordinated and managed the quality function of turnkey combined cycle gas turbine power station projects to strict deadlines and technical requirements.
Established ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 head office and construction site procedures.
Assisted in achieving the Engineering Council Environmental Achievement award and the Business Commitment to the Environment award.
Planned and conducted internal and external quality management system audits.
Managed and co-ordinated the QA client, partner-company and vendor interface to determine inspection levels with respect to resource and time constraints. -
Planner
AMEC Offshore
(Public Company; 1001-5000 employees; AMEC; Mechanical or Industrial Engineering industry)
1990 — 1992 (2 years)
Analytically estimated steelwork fabrication costs and planning work-hour estimates, for the assembly and erection of offshore oil and gas modules.
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Apprentice
NEI Parsons (SIEMENS)
(Public Company; 1001-5000 employees; SI; Mechanical or Industrial Engineering industry)
1986 — 1990 (4 years)
Served a EITB and NEEEA apprenticeship: 1 year broad-based engineering training and 3 years broad experience of main equipment design, planning, manufacturing and commercial activities.
Robert Thompson’s Education
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University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Six Sigma Black Belt 2007 — 2008
> Attained Six Sigma Black Belt certification
> Liaised closely with the Industrial Statisticians on the correct application of all tools and techniques- Activities and Societies:
- Training conducted by the Industrial Statistics Research Unit
http://tinyurl.com/6afogk
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University of Durham
MBA , Master of Business Administration , 2001 — 2005
Distance learning - helped to expand my overall business knowledge and provide academic qualifications whilst developing my managerial/leadership positions
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The Open University
MSc , Master of Science Total Quality, Safety and Environment , 1998 — 2001
Distance learning - attained the MSc whilst developing my career and spending time with my family
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University of Northumbria
BEng(Hons) , Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (Hons) , 1993 — 1997
Studied part-time while holding down a demanding position and starting a family.
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Newcastle College
HNC , Higher National Certificate Mechanical and Production Engineering , 1986 — 1990
Studied part-time to initally attain a BTEC ONC then BTEC HNC
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Burnside High School
O Levels , 9 O Levels General Secondary Education , 1984 — 1986
Additional Information
Robert Thompson’s Websites:
Robert Thompson’s Interests:
family, writing, reading, socializing, politics, philosophy, triathlon, fitness
Robert Thompson’s Honors:
2003: Leadership Development Course (6 month programme for selected line management)
2001: The Juran Institute: Six Sigma Black Belt training
2000: City and Guilds – NVQ Level 4 Health and Safety Practice
2000: EFQM/BQF - Registered Business Excellence Assessor, voluntarily working for Business Excellence North-East as requested.
1998: NEBOSH Diploma in Health and Safety Management, Law module
1998: NEBOSH Diploma in Health and Safety Management, Risk Management
1998: EARA - Lead Environmental Auditor
1997: Institute of Quality Assurance – A11 and A12 examinations: Distinctions
Robert Thompson’s Contact Settings
Interested In:
- career opportunities
- consulting offers
- new ventures
- job inquiries
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- reference requests
- getting back in touch
