Brian Taylor

Supply Chain Manager currently supporting the Chassis team

- Oversaw an audio-specific line of business, managing 4-5 New Product Introduction (NPI) programs and 10 sustaining programs, including an innovative "Ultra" secure product in a new category. - Curated and evaluated submitted cost estimates (should costs) from Global Supply Management (GSM) for each program, ensuring thorough monitoring of each finished goods (FG) line item throughout the NPI development process. - Coordinated and presented comprehensive cost data to the executive team, developing submission plans and establishing milestone checkpoints for timely product cost submissions crucial for strategic decisions. - Facilitated cost forum discussions with procurement, engineering, and product development teams to uncover cost-saving opportunities and enhance supply chain synergy across various lines of business (LOBs). - Set and managed module and total product cost targets, collaborating with marketing and sales teams to align on margin and volume estimates. - Proactively identified cost-related concerns and proposed actionable solutions, resulting in significant per-unit cost savings.

- Managed commercial relationships with four high-profile Tier 1 strategic vendors for various "Ultra" sensitive programs, regularly traveling internationally to foster collaboration across multiple global locations. - Executed and scaled new and existing manufacturing processes, materials, technologies, and finishes in partnership with both established and emerging vendors. - Negotiated complex program deliverables for high-stakes, confidential Statements of Work (SOWs), often without disclosing sensitive intellectual property or program-specific details. - Developed expertise in intellectual property, legal licenses, and developmental contracts for New Product Introduction (NPI) and early-stage programs. - Successfully executed several sensitive commercial agreements, including confidentiality agreements, development agreements, mass production delivery agreements, and Statements of Work.

- Collaborated with domestic and international manufacturing suppliers to negotiate costs, timelines, and contract terms, ensuring alignment with mass production schedules. - Managed safety-critical components including chassis, steering, and axle parts (e.g., Front/Rear Subframe, Steering Knuckles, Control Arm). Total Turnover: $37,458,121 (CY2020) $62,052,860 (CY2021) - Engaged in negotiations with suppliers regarding demand, capacity, and contract disputes, successfully facilitating positive outcomes for all parties. - Oversaw capacity reports for six major commodities: Interior, Exterior, Connectivity, Powertrain, Metals, and Accessories. - Optimized processes using Excel scripts, VLOOKUP, and pivot tables to visualize critical component shortages and supply risks. - Organized and coordinated local and regional corporate meetings; skilled in presenting to executive teams both regionally and in Germany. - Implemented an in-house tracking process for tool development, including first-off tool assessments, quality confirmations, and estimated Start Of Production (SOP) for components and modules. - Developed a deep knowledge of manufacturing processes, including injection molding, stamping, sheet metal fabrication, machining, robotic welding, and assembly. - Maintained regular contact with vendors in Germany, Mexico, Canada, and China, demonstrating a willingness to travel or host as business needs dictate.

- Supported projects for clients including Volkswagen, Denso, Komatsu, Whirlpool, Mohawk, and Columbus McKinnon. - Utilized SolidWorks and PDM software for drafting, design, and product ideation, with a strong emphasis on Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) to meet stringent tolerances (+/- 0.001”). Developed full-scale robotic cell renderings to serve as key talking points during sales negotiations and quote applications. - Provided comprehensive support across various business areas, including automation, sales, design, shipping, and purchasing. Responsibilities included answering phones, meeting customers, directing shipping trucks, and designing custom mounting blocks. - Created a detailed quoting sheet for sales engineers, resulting in a 30% reduction in quoting time. - Implemented process improvement tools and project organization applications to enhance cross-team collaboration, utilizing Google Suite, Slack, and team-wide WhatsApp groups for effective communication. - Designed five separate assemblies in SolidWorks for manufacturing models, exporting 2D three-view drawings for the production team and collaborating to resolve issues.

- Enhanced material tracking systems to eliminate inaccuracies in the estimation of location and arrival times for critical supplies. - Led a team of seven skilled tradesmen in the installation and deconstruction of pavilions, ensuring efficient project execution. - Facilitated communication between suppliers, contractors, and customers, resulting in several successful campaigns for the organization. - Secured additional contracts with executives from Rolex and Land Rover through open communication and constructive feedback. - Identified opportunities for improvement in cost savings and scrap reduction for future project installations.

- Designed a custom 3D-printed depth gauge to improve installation cycle times and eliminate machine collisions, resulting in approximately $170,000 in annual cost savings across several North American plants. - Led a team of 12 operators in the installation of safety fixtures on overhead conveyors, developing a comprehensive budget, sourcing materials from local vendors, creating a timeline with milestones, and monitoring expenses throughout the project. - Transformed 2D drawings into 3D assemblies, reducing tolerance checks and maintenance time by 50%. - Shadowed engineers during plant shutdown operations, assisting with documentation, measurement, and time management tasks while gaining insights on critical engineering concerns. - Collaborated with a senior engineer to model, design, and plan a safety camera installation, optimizing the placement of wires, cameras, and sheet metal shrouds for enhanced performance and minimal interference. - Exhibited strong written communication skills in interactions with both engineering and production teams, facilitating effective collaboration.

- Facilitated a team of three in the unpacking, anchoring, and testing of a new Kuka robotic arm. - Developed a new process and testing equipment under the supervision of a manager, successfully reducing scrap by 15%. - Diagnosed false defect readings, resulting in annual savings of $25,000. - Evaluated quality assurance and process metrics through comprehensive testing. - Resolved discrepancies among purchasing suppliers, enhancing operational efficiency.