Eric Chartrand

A Project Engineering or Project Management position, capitalizing on ten years of experience to contribute to the productivity and profitability of the organization.

• 10 years’ experience in project management in multiple facilities in the automotive industry.
• Expertise in the product development cycle.
• Fluent in management tools and processes, including Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), and Design Verification Plan and Report (DVP&R). Familiar with QS-9000 and Full Service Supplier initiatives.
• Comprehensive computer skills and programming ability compliment engineering background.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Project Engineer

Responsible for concept, design, tooling and launch of plastic automotive reservoir products and interior/exterior automotive door handles. Interfaced with customers, developed project timelines and coordinated major activities. Worked with Sales and Estimating departments to establish budgets.

• Managed entire line of Ford Motor Company power steering reservoirs at Key Plastics. Combined program sales volumes in excess of $3 million.
• Presented concepts for new power steering reservoir program to five-member Mazda engineering team in Hiroshima, Japan. Program substantially reduced investment costs by using existing reservoir components.
• Partnered with Ford Material Cost Reduction personnel to develop simplified power steering reservoir cap (cap is expected to phase in on all Ford vehicles, saving $150,000 annually). Completed initiative to integrate costly in-line filter into reservoir, resulting in savings of $7 per vehicle.
• Successfully maintained project responsibilities during period of corporate financial difficulties. Worked with vendors to ensure continued involvement; addressed customer concerns through updates on fiscal and reorganizational progress.
• Transitioned into Information Technology department in March, 2001 to serve as Database Administrator for engineering management program. Responsibilities subsequently expanded within IT department, and included redesign of Key Plastics corporate website.

Lead Engineer

Selected to create and organize Product Engineering department in UTA manufacturing facility in Juárez, Mexico. Department’s mission was to continue development work, resolve customer issues, and assist manufacturing personnel after product launch.

• Recruited and trained two additional engineers to complete staffing of department. Supervised and directed activities within the group.
• Served as engineering liaison to corporate headquarters.
• Appointed as plant representative to company team reviewing engineering change notice procedures.
• Led value analysis/value engineering activities within Mexican facility.
• Established cross-functional teams to evaluate all aspects of plant operations.

Associate Engineer

Provided program coordination and technical support for a variety of automotive electromechanical products and soft trim components.

• Managed several high-volume automotive interior switch product lines.
• Accepted two long-term assignments in St. Matthews, SC manufacturing facility (1991, 1992) as on-site engineer and corporate launch coordinator for General Motors “G” body product line.
• Received commendation and promotion for successfully resolving major product safety issue at Inland Fisher Guide. Determined root cause, developed and implemented corrective action plan while on location at vendor.

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

• Successfully completed Part I of the Professional Engineers Examination, 1997

Associate Degree in Science