Robert Pointer has over 20 years of experience in quality engineering, process improvement, and product development for the automotive industry. He has a proven track record of managing all phases of new product development from concept to production and implementing process improvements that reduced costs and improved quality. His experience includes quality engineering roles at Cooper Standard Automotive where he led quality programs, achieved certification to ISO/TS16949, and reduced defects and customer complaints. He holds a degree in chemical engineering and certifications in Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, and as a Certified Manager of Quality.

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ROBERT POINTER
7722 Ashcroft Way  Powell, Tennessee 37849
robj426@gmail.com  865-773-9056
QUALITY, LEAN, PROCESS ENGINEERING & PRODUCT DESIGN / DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER
Established a proven record of process and product development engineering experience and achievements
throughout my career overseeing/supporting projects for clients in the automotive industries. Significant contributor
and engineering team leader who has (1) managed all phases of new product development from initial
concept to design production, prototype development, testing, QA, and specification compliance ; and (2)
implemented process improvements that reduced costs, scrap rates, formal customer complaints and
generated reliability and manufacturing yield improvements. Earned a reputation for integrating design and
process improvements into existing production lines that have increased profits, reduced production
costs/downtime, improved product quality/marketability, and exceeded customer expectations. Expert in root cause
analysis, including SPC to reduce process variation along with Lean Manufacturing to reduce and eliminate waste.
Additional strengths include:
• Advance Product Quality Planning • Lean Manufacturing • Metrology
• ISO/TS16949 & ISO9001 • Warranty Improvements • Kaizen Improvements
• Design Failure Mode Effects & Analysis • Validation Protocols • Teardown Analyses
• Process Failure Mode Effects & Analysis • Corrective Action Plans • Benchmarking Programs
• Engineering Project Management • Cost Control/Reduction • Product Design/Modification
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
COOPER STANDARD AUTOMOTIVE, Rockford, TN
Quality Engineer II, 01-2014- 11/2014
Led several automotive programs. Specialize in Exterior & Interior highly cosmetic programs using plastic
injection molding, paint and hard coat. Reduced scrap rate, formal customer complaints and PPM.
Key Contributions:
 Managed special quality projects and initiatives that reduced scrap from 13.2 to 7.8%.
 Managed customer complaints that averaged 14+ per month to <3 per month.
 Reduced sort costs by 45% through effective root cause analysis and corrective & preventive action.
 Successfully passed the TS16949 audit with only minor findings.
 Established a mutually agreed quality standard on a hardcoded roof panel project that reduce scrap rate
internally and improved yield at customer.
 Key role in a Kaizen team to reduce install effort on header clips while improving retentions on a GM Dline
assembly.
 Key role in label improvement and Poke Yoke improvement teams.
 All Customer PPAPs were completed and approved on time.

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COOPER STANDARD AUTOMOTIVE, Rockford, TN
Quality Manager, 6/2002 – 12/2013
Managing quality system and supervising a team of quality professionals (quality systems supervisor,
quality engineers, quality technicians, and quality team lead for this manufacturer of hard coated injection
molded appliqués for the automotive industry.
Key Contributions:
 Implemented print review and engineering change process, ensuring compliance with both internal and
customer specifications.
 Implemented APQP approach to program launches
 Implemented ISO9001:2000 Quality certification
 Facilitated and maintained ISO/TS 16949 Quality certification
 Received Supplier of the Year award from Sony Corp.
 Developed testing and calibration system, reducing both calibration cost and part dimension issues.
 Lead multiple problem solving teams to reduce scrap and place detections controls to prevent defects
from escaping process
 Implemented Safe Launch process to verify product before shipment of new programs.
 Reduced PPM from 800 to less than 100
COOPER STANDARD AUTOMOTIVE, Rockford, TN
Quality Control Coordinator, 4/2000 – 6/2002
Established operator instructions and procedures. Ensured precise measurement by utilizing coordinate
measurement machine in testing. Served as liaison to customer, identifying quality opportunities. Organized
quality training.
Key Contributions:
 Developed controls and procedures for new paint department specializing in highly visible interior
metallic components.
 Implemented color control procedure, substantially reducing color issues and receiving award from
Nissan for performance compared to competitors.
COOPER STANDARD AUTOMOTIVE, Rockford, TN
Quality Control Technician, 8/1999 – 3/2000
Analyzed product compliance with internal and external quality standards. Conducted testing using coordinate
measurement machine. Communicated quality information to production teams. Completed daily dimensional,
appearance, and color checks.
Key Contributions:
 Collaborated with automotive lighting supplier to identity root cause of headlamp housing issue.
 Developed two-hour cold shock test for parts, streamlining trial process.

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TECHMER PM, Clinton, TN
Quality Control Lead, 6/1998 – 7/1999
Directed four Quality Control Technicians. Oversaw analytical testing, ensuring timely and accurate completion.
Communicated with Superintendent on quality opportunities. Reviewed and verified equipment calibration.
Key Contributions:
 Identified issue in high-volume production run requiring additional correction; recommended smaller
production run, reducing project time by 28 hours.
EDUCATION AND CREDENTIALS
Associate of Arts & Science in Chemical & Environmental Technology
PELLISSIPPI TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE – Knoxville, TN
Lean Manufacturing Certification
UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE – Knoxville, TN
Kaizen Facilitation Certification
UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE – Knoxville, TN
ASQ-Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR QUALITY – MILWAUKEE, WI
CERTIFICATION NUMBER 14875 10/01/2011
FMEA Training- Incorporates Two Severity Levels
GENERAL MOTORS- 9/15/14