Terry Wass

Quality Management Professional

Greater Milwaukee

About

Continuous Improvement and Quality Management Professional with expertise in planning, controlling, and improving processes and products for small, mid-sized, and large manufacturing and technical center environments. ASQ Certified Quality Engineer. Six Sigma Black Belt. Expertise: strategic and tactical planning/execution, financial budgeting, QMS development and implementation (ISO 9001, 16949, 17025), advanced product quality planning (APQP), supplier production part approval process (PPAP), risk reduction (FMEA), fiscal forecasting and control, document/record control, process auditing, statistical process control (SPC), measurement systems analysis (MSA), structured problem solving (8D, KT, 3x5 Why), calibration/metrology, SAP ERP systems, project management, lean and Toyota Production System (TPS), six sigma black belt methodology (DMAIC).

Experience

  • Quality Manager at WAGO Corporation
    Jul 2024 - Present · 2 yrs

  • Quality Manager at Komatsu Mining Corp.
    Aug 2019 - Mar 2024 · 4 yrs 8 mos

    Responsible for planning, controlling, and improving product quality (internal and supplier machining, heat treatment, welding, assembly, and testing). > Facilitated development of Manufacturing Quality goals and balanced scorecard metrics to align departments and support annual strategic initiatives. > Budgeted, forecast, and controlled costs for a $3M annual budget. > Managed 10 direct reports (Supplier and Internal Quality Engineers) and 12 indirect reports (Quality Inspectors) with clear roles and responsibilities, goals, balanced scorecards, and 1:1 meetings. > Revised the Quality Management System (QMS) after re-organization and plant move. Passed subsequent ISO 9001:2015 surveillance audit. > Developed and implemented a quality plan for qualifying 96 facilities/work centers at the South Harbor plant. Managed quality at two plants during the two-year transition from our National Ave. location to our South Harbor location. > Set up and facilitated cross-functional 3x5 Why reviews for high internal ppm defects and high scrap/rework $ defects to drive prioritized improvement of prevention and detection controls. > Developed and implemented a Facility Process Audit tool for Quality Planning and on-going risk assessment/ opportunities for improvement.

  • BRP (Sturtevant, WI)
    • Manufacturing Quality Manager - Marine Propulsion Systems
      2013 - 2019 · 6 yrs

      Responsible for planning, controlling, and improving the manufacturing quality of (parts inspection, machining, assembly, and testing). > Facilitate development of Manufacturing Quality master plan and balanced score card metrics to support annual strategic initiatives. > Budget, forecast, and control costs for a $2.5M annual budget. > Manage 6 direct reports (1 Functional Project Lead, 3 Quality Engineers, 2 Quality Supervisors) and 12 indirect reports (Quality Technicians). > Facilitate definition of quality requirements and validation of key test equipment. > Added Kepner-Tregoe Situation Appraisal, Problem Analysis, Decision Analysis, and Potential Problem Analysis methodology to planning and internal corrective action processes. > Developed and Implemented internal calibration processes for pressure, temperature, and load measurement systems. > Consolidated fragmented electronic and paper defect reporting systems into a single web-based application for more accurate and timely reporting and more efficient Parteo analysis. > Implemented SPC monitoring on key processes in machining and assembly. > Facilitated PPAP and Supplier Corrective Action for machined parts shipped to other BRP location; achieved high supplier performance rating. > Implemented a Layered Process Audit (LPA) system. > Developed a progression and rotation plan for manufacturing quality department employees to improve cross-training and employee engagement. > Improved part inspection process: reduced inspection lot age (90 days to 2), $ of blocked stock ($62k to $2k), return material authorization stock (309 days to 64), and engineering change pilot age (134 days to 7). > Provided quality management guidance to other BRP location during a re-organization.

    • Sr Quality Project Leader - Marine Propulsion Systems
      2011 - 2013 · 2 yrs

      > Developed and implemented manufacturing quality deliverables: process pFMEA, Control Plans, GRR studies, Cpk studies, and process audits. > Facilitated tracking and closure of NPD concerns raised from process audits; and manufacturing-based concerns received from product validation testing and initial introduction to market.

  • Senior Corporate Quality Engineer at Generac Power Systems
    2009 - 2011 · 2 yrs

    > Facilitated development and implementation of a corporate quality management system across three manufacturing plants in accordance with quality management principles, lean methodology, and ISO 9001:2008. All plants received ISO 9001:2008 Certification. > Provided guidance on advanced quality engineering principles.

  • Modine Manufacturing Company (9 yrs 1 mo)
    • Continuous Improvement and Quality System Manager
      2003 - 2009 · 6 yrs

      Responsible for planning, controlling, and improving the quality management system at the Racine Technical Center. > Implemented balanced scorecard methodology for tactical planning and execution. > Assisted with budgeting, forecasting, and controlling costs for a $8.5M annual budget. Actuals came in under budget. > Developed and implemented internal analog input, air mass flow, and relative humidity calibration methods resulting in $24,000 annual savings after two year payback. > Developed and implemented process to facilitate risk reduction, quantify expanded uncertainty of measurement, control variation, and document measurement capability for over 20 test methods. > Developed and implemented process utilizing Six Sigma and Lean methodology, resulting in completion of over 40 continuous improvement projects that increased accuracy and reduced waste.

    • Senior Quality Engineer
      2002 - 2003 · 1 yr

      Responsible for controlling and improving the quality management system at the Racine Tech Center. > Developed and implemented automated Laboratory Work Order System to communicate order status, schedule tests, control inventory, retain test results, and transfer costs, resulting in improved test report retention, 80% reduction of work order processing time, 90% reduction of time to schedule, and 70% reduction of time to publish test reports. > Developed and implemented internal liquid flow and pressure calibration methods, resulting in $75,000 annual savings after 6 month payback. > Developed and implemented an ISO/TS 16949 and ISO 17025 compliant quality management system. Facilitated cross-functional team to modify procedures, work instructions, and controlled forms. Passed initial 3rd party ISO/TS 16949 audit and follow-on surveillance audits with no major findings.

    • Quality Engineer II
      2000 - 2002 · 2 yrs

      Responsible for controlling and improving the quality management system at the Racine Tech Center. > Developed and implemented QS 9000 compliant quality management system. Effectively facilitated review meetings to modify procedures, work instructions, and controlled forms. Passed initial 3rd party audit and follow-on surveillance audits with no major findings. > Developed and implemented automated Master Calibration Plan to store calibration certificates and effectively manage calibration of 1100+ measurement systems. > Coached staff on structured problem-solving techniques and effectively expedited correction of special cause events utilizing process flowcharting, repeated-why, cause-and-effect, and differential analysis. > Developed and implemented internal temperature calibration method resulting in $50,000 annual savings after 9 month payback.