Kevin Hartman

Process Transformation Leader | Operational Efficiency | Improved Quality | Increased Profitability

Ypsilanti, Michigan, United States

About

As a strategic business leader, I specialize in process transformation to deliver operational efficiency, improved quality, and increased profitability. My deep experience in continuous improvement and product management is based on my career at one of the big three US auto manufacturers. I excel at driving a team to implement high-visibility initiatives aligned with the company mission and vision. I am sought out to take on and solve complex production or service challenges. I empower people, remove roadblocks, and strengthen communication to drive critical outcomes. Whether coordinating deployment of a new specialized plant, managing multiple product launches, or helping start a new assembly plant in a foreign country, I stay calm in the storm, and make decisions that balance operational, business, employee and customer perspectives. As a leader, I unify the team toward a common goal through open and honest communication, high expectations, and experience-based learning. I lead by example and create a safe and fail fast environment. I am trusted and respected by my peers and other leaders because I deliver on commitments.

Experience

  • Ford Motor Company (Full-time · 25 yrs 5 mos)
    • Global Core Chief Engineer - New Model Programs
      Dec 2025 - Present · 7 mos

    • Electric Vehicle Launch Manager - New Model Programs
      Dec 2022 - Jan 2026 · 3 yrs 2 mos

    • Global Process Excellence Manager - Global Manufacturing Quality
      Feb 2020 - Dec 2022 · 2 yrs 11 mos

      Maintaining global manufacturing processes, ensuring compliance, and delivering process updates to improve quality, cost and efficiency. Drove improvement actions through innovative thinking and encouraging creativity. Managing seven employees supporting global teams. -- Spearheaded process efficiencies saving $9M in 20CY and $17M in 21CY, incorporating labor reductions in global plants. -- Accelerated enhancements to audit process by improving ability to detect customer issues, focusing on cutting them off quickly and reducing impact to customer to drive quality improvements. -- Defining process improvements using the Quality and Productivity Improvement Process and Six-Sigma problem solving methodologies to understand true root cause of issues and ensure robust changes will address all known error states. -- Proactively supporting global team by strengthening cross-functional relationships and capitalizing on shared learnings and knowledge to advance business improvements.

  • Process Engineer at Aerotek
    Jan 2000 - Jan 2001 · 1 yr 1 mo

    New Model Programs Played a key role in the development of the Launch Quality Operating System. Provided leadership and direction to the team responsible for developing the Launch Quality Operating System, which enabled the team to be listed on the patent obtained by Ford Motor Company. Spearheaded the formulation of training materials associated with up-front build events.