David Eckhardt

Senior Quality Manager at The Vollrath Company

Sheboygan, Wisconsin, United States

About

A diversified career portfolio with extensive leadership and technical experience in the areas of Quality, Operations, and Information Technology

Experience

  • The Vollrath Company (8 yrs 2 mos)
    • Senior Manager
      Jan 2023 - Present · 3 yrs 7 mos

    • Manager of Quality Assurance
      Jun 2018 - Mar 2023 · 4 yrs 10 mos

  • Teel Plastics ()
    • Production Manager
      Dec 2016 - Jan 2018 · 1 yr 2 mos

      • Responsible for overseeing the daily manufacturing activities related to safety, quality, lean/six sigma manufacturing and the overall execution of the production plan. • Responsible for providing leadership, and overseeing the implementation of process improvement recommendations and continuous improvement activities to meet the CAPEX requirements. • Responsible for related departmental GL accounts, annual budgets, and meeting and exceeding business metrics. • Responsible for employee engagement, development, performance reviews and succession planning for the Healthcare & Cosmetic group. • Strategic Planning. • Reporting goals and performance at all levels of the organization.

    • Operations Team Lead - Extrusion
      Oct 2016 - Dec 2016 · 3 mos

      • Providing leadership to supervisors and overseeing the manufacturing activities across 3 shifts. • Responsible for tracking and communicating metrics. • Leading and tracking Continuous Improvement efforts. • Dealing with Performance Issues. • Partner with other functions to meet business goals. • Project Management.

  • Manager Quality Data Systems at The Manitowoc Company
    Aug 2011 - Mar 2016 · 4 yrs 8 mos

    • Worked with value stream and quality teams to develop metrics measuring ongoing improvements. • Published company articles showcasing shop floor successes. • Presented these successes as tools for other teams to use for future improvement. • Led the development of the global quality improvement system (GQIS) -> Redeveloped processes and aligned goals with engineering as part of GQIS implementation. -> Directed prioritization team for engineering changes. -> Implemented change management process using GQIS as the core system. • Developed financial analysis with costing department to understand Cost of Quality and its impact. • Participated in lean Kaizen events to improve manufacturing effectivity. • Participated in regular audits to evaluate accuracy and effectiveness of processes and systems. • Led employee engagement teams through deep dive to root out employee discontents. • Managed and provided training for Plex ERP, Global Quality Improvement, Sharepoint systems. • Supported SAP implementation as a Quality key user cross functionally across departments. • Ensured proper serialization in SAP quality systems, allowing material tracking system wide. • Led product identification cleansing and consolidation initiative for data migration to SAP.

  • President / Owner at Bredon Technologies
    Oct 2004 - Dec 2011 · 7 yrs 3 mos

    • Conducted needs assessments to identify end-user requirements. • Designed, developed, and implemented processes to support and manage; -> Customer relationships -> Customer/vendor agreements -> Training materials • Researched and provided design and equipment installation options to develop and deliver the highest quality, best-aligned solution, based on the unique needs of the client. • Managed individual project plans and customer/co-supplier expectations to ensure delivery and installation was completed on time, and within budget. • Responded and took corrective actions when unscheduled and unanticipated events occurred. • Installed and provided training and technical support for Medical ERP System. • Co-managed implementation plans with other contractors to meet project goals.

  • Bemis Manufacturing Company (12 yrs 6 mos)
    • Business Analyst Data Warehouse and Business Intelligence
      May 2001 - Sep 2004 · 3 yrs 5 mos

      • Led the development of a company-wide data warehousing strategy. -> Assessed needs, identified required inputs-and-outputs -> Created and managed project plan -> Managed vendor relations -> Facilitated and aligned goals and work activities between value streams -> Communicated progress against identified goals -> Tested and evaluated products • Designed, developed, and delivered training to the end-user community to effectively analyze data and reports

    • Network Engineer / Nework Administrator
      Sep 1998 - May 2001 · 2 yrs 9 mos

      • Participated on the project team to migrate network topology to Ethernet. • Designed backup plan for the exchange server and implemented plans for PC network in coordination with outside vendor. • Managed activity related to the migration of software to Microsoft Office and Outlook with exchange server including a transition plan, employee communication, and training.

    • Quality Assurance Manager Injection Molding
      Aug 1995 - Sep 1998 · 3 yrs 2 mos

      • Designed processes and managed staff in alignment with divisional goals. • Ensured the quality of materials purchased, processed, manufactured, and distributed by the organization throughout the facilities. • Planned, established, directed, and co-coordinated the local quality assurance procedures required to maintain an ISO 9001 quality management system to meet corporate quality policies. • Managed the development of SOPs in order to drive quality in the processes of the operations. • Ensured relevant metrics were in place to mitigate non-conformances, monitor, and drive solutions. • Managed matters related to customer satisfaction and overall product quality. • Analyzed and evaluated customer feedback to drive resulting improvements - Voice of Customer (VOC) into Business Units. • Ensured compliance to customer, regulatory, and business requirements. • Managed site training program, requirements, and compliance. • Developed, monitored, and maintained site Quality Metrics • Ensured management and control of non-conforming material/product process. • Conducted data reporting and analysis. • Employed the use of Root Cause Analysis to implement process improvements.