Luis Fernando Vera Ortega

Focus on cost competitiveness, cross-functional collaboration, and continuous cost reduction. Actively engaged with Sales, Engineering, Purchasing, Manufacturing, and Foreign Trade teams to support the development and quotation of new products. Specialized in building robust and strategic cost models through detailed analysis of Bills of Materials (BOMs), component pricing, and conversion costs. Known for challenging assumptions, validating inputs, and identifying opportunities to reduce costs while maintaining product performance and commercial viability. Collaborating with Manufacturing teams to validate conversion costs and challenge inefficiencies, ensuring lean and realistic cost structures. Working closely with Foreign Trade and Supply Chain teams to incorporate trade regulations (e.g., USMCA) and optimize total landed cost while mitigating tariff risks. Identifying and monitoring key cost drivers, proactively implementing cost-saving initiatives to improve margins and profitability. Conducting material cost benchmarking and supplier comparisons to support sourcing decisions and continuous cost optimization. Driven by a data-driven and analytical mindset, with a strong ability to influence cross-functional teams and consistently identify cost reduction opportunities throughout the product lifecycle.

Led international manufacturing equipment validation, plant expansion, and industrialization projects supporting new product launches and capacity growth initiatives. Led cost-reduction initiatives through product and process redesign, generating over $250K USD in annual savings for the shock absorber product portfolio Played a key role in the successful expansion of the Tubes Plant, coordinating facility readiness activities including electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and infrastructure requirements for new equipment installations. Served as the primary coordinator for all plant safety permits during the expansion project, working closely with EHS teams and contractors to ensure safe execution of installation activities over a nine-month period. Managed machine transfers and integration projects, ensuring compliance with technical specifications, safety requirements, and operational standards. Conducted six international Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs) and equipment validation projects across the United States, Germany, and Poland. Validated advanced manufacturing technologies including tube cutting machines, machining equipment, hot form equipment, laser marking and traceability systems, and tooling for new product launches. Led supplier reviews and equipment acceptance processes from quotation stage through final commissioning, ensuring compliance with Statements of Requirements (SOR). Coordinated multidisciplinary teams including Manufacturing, Quality, Maintenance, Automation, EHS, and Global Engineering functions. Participated in equipment installation, commissioning, production ramp-up, operator training, and documentation handover activities to ensure successful implementation and operational readiness. Performed manufacturing technology benchmarking and best-practice assessments across international operations, including facilities in Brazil.

Plant 1 - Castings

Plant 1 - Castings Alluminum tooling development and process validation in 5 axis GROB milling centers. CNC programming in Catia V5, machine elements design. Technical support and troubleshooting in milling process. Update the Control Plan (DCP) & PFMEA on going basis based on Process Capability Studies, FTT measurable. 8D's, Work Group Fish-Bone / 5-Whys / Pareto Analysis. Improvement of model change time and tooling performance (SMED).

Doble clutch transmission project New machinery validation according to pre acceptance protocols for grinding and welding machines; FAT for EMAG grinding machines, hard turning. FAT for Arnold laser machines. ISO13919, CQI-15; responsible for the successful launching of products in the look of a complete satisfaction of external and internal customers, applying the required managerial and leadership skills to achieve the team’s goals / program milestones, complying with the program timing, closely monitoring indicators of quality. Resposible for implementation of engineering changes proposal or request to improve and product development.

Plant 3 - Gears and shafts Steel machining and tooling development/validation in lathe and grinding machines. Make new and modify turning/lathe CNC programs. Machine elements development and program modifications in AutoCAD. Liaison and technical support between the company and its customers’ design, supplier quality, and manufacturing teams during the launching of new products (Feasibility studies; simultaneous engineering; manufacturing product & process development; specifications & acceptance criteria negotiations.

Plant 2 - Daimler & Volvo Prepare epoxic floor and electric installation for new Daimler and Volvo project. Layout analysis and improvements according to production needs. Leader of machinery movement team. Update root or flow charts of parts on SAP. Workforce calculation. Get the number of operators per cell. Flow diagrams development. Update cycle times and work methods development.

Purchasing new projects intern

Exchange semester