Stephen Toward

Project / Quality Management Automotive

Langenfeld (Rheinland), Germany

Experience

Sep 2022 - Mar 2024
1 year 7 months
Nottingham, United Kingdom
Hybrid

Quality Management

ZF Services

  • Problem solving all related quality issues
  • Establishing and preparing PPAPs for Volta Trucks Ltd
  • Engaged for remanufacturing JLR automatic transmissions PPAPs for ZF Automotive
Jul 2021 - Present
4 years 1 month
China
Hybrid

Ford Resident Project Engineer/Consultant

CT-Automotive

  • Provided assistance and consulting on interior air vent registers project
  • Ensured smooth running and communication between Chinese project team and Ford customer and facilities
Apr 2018 - Oct 2018
7 months
Poland
On-site

Program Manager

Inalfa Roof Systems

  • Led PLT problem solving and program management for Daimler sunroof glass encapsulation unit
  • Improved production capacity and installed program management in In-House Encapsulation unit
  • Integrated IHE into main Inalfa PDP Roof program management system
Jan 2018 - Present
7 years 7 months
Shenzhen, China
Hybrid

European Program Manager

Sino Manufacturing Solutions

  • Established corporate project management system
  • Managed new European customers for tooling and value-added large projects
  • Oversaw automotive tooling for metal and plastic components
  • Managed industrial projects such as chair lift system, household utilities and waste management systems
  • Project manager for microcar development, parts production and vehicle safety warning beacon
Jan 2018 - Apr 2018
4 months
Aschaffenburg, Germany
On-site

Quality Management Specialist

Takata GmbH (Joysons Safety Systems)

  • Emergency induction for Ford NA Business Unit quality management
  • Provided technical support and train-the-trainer for steering wheel and autonomous vehicle systems
  • Assisted After Service and Mobileye Vehicle Autonomous Systems
May 2014 - May 2024
10 years 1 month
Hybrid

Global Program Manager

SL Corporation

  • Project planning, execution and monitoring program
  • Risk management, quality assurance and reporting
  • Responsible for complete Ford manual transmission gear shift system NPI with engineering from Germany and Korea
  • Analysed SOW and established program management system including customer requirements and costing
  • Monitored profit and loss of each project
  • Supervised budget and team of project managers, coordinators, engineers and suppliers
  • Developed program timing, set milestones and coordinated activities from design to mass production
  • Coordinated quality phase, PPAP and change management
  • Trained and coached SL personnel on Ford procedures and program management
  • Advised on IATF16949 principles and audits
  • Technical lead for engineering and commercial activities
  • Established global cross-functional team and enforced DFMEA and PFMEA risk management
  • Prepared design and process gate reviews, metrics and reports via APQP and master timing plans
  • Consulted on PPAP requirements and achieved on-time PSWs
  • Led flawless launches in Poland, China and India meeting cost, delivery and quality targets
  • Main contact for multiple Ford Fiesta and BMW RR lighting programs
Mar 2014 - Present
11 years 5 months
Langenfeld, Germany
Hybrid

Senior Account Manager, Europe

Shenghuabo Group

  • Managed European business for automotive seating components, especially electrical seat motors
  • Responsible for quality, financial and project application related tasks
  • Led new seat motor projects for Faurecia, Lear Seating, Alfa Romeo and Lamborghini
Jun 2009 - Present
16 years 2 months
Langenfeld, Germany
Hybrid

Self employed, freelance

Stephen Toward Project Management

  • Portfolio of customers and projects as freelancer
Jun 2009 - Dec 2020
10 years 7 months
Czech Republic
Hybrid

Project Manager

Fischer Galvanoplast Bohemia

  • Key account manager for Plastic Omnium and Faurecia new business
  • Assisted in business development and sales
  • Managed automotive plastic parts for chroming from enquiry, tooling concept to PPAP and quality issues through to SOP
  • Consulted and assisted in QS ISO/TS16949 project management audits
Dec 2008 - Jun 2009
7 months
Katzenelnbogen, Germany
On-site

Project Manager

Fischer GmbH

  • Managed automotive product and chroming projects
Jun 2004 - Dec 2009
4 years 7 months
Gliwice, Poland
Hybrid

Technical Business Development Manager

Plastal Sp. z o.o.

  • Led technical business development and project management for Ford and Jaguar projects
  • Oversaw plastic injection moulding operations
Apr 2002 - May 2004
2 years 2 months
Cologne, Germany
On-site

Project Manager

Automold GmbH

  • Managed plastic injection moulding projects for Ford, Volvo and Mazda
  • Coordinated C1 Technologies assignments
Dec 2001 - Mar 2002
4 months
On-site

Engineering Design Office

Intier Automotive Seating (Magna)

  • Short term contract in engineering design office
Dec 1999 - Dec 2002
2 years 1 month
Düsseldorf, Germany
On-site

Application Programme Manager

THK GmbH

  • Managed automotive business Europe for linear bearings and THK products
Jan 1998 - Dec 1999
1 year
Burscheid, Germany
On-site

Test Co-ordinator

Johnson Controls Inc.

  • Coordinated automotive seats testing for Ford business unit
Nov 1996 - Jan 1999
2 years 3 months
Cologne, Germany
On-site

Co-ordinator, Project and Diversified Business Development

Ford Power Products

Apr 1993 - Nov 1996
3 years 8 months
Cologne, Germany
On-site

Graduate Engineer

MSXi (Geometric Results) GmbH

  • Ford technical service hotline engineer for diagnostics and improvements
Nov 1992 - Mar 1993
5 months
Monheim am Rhein, Germany

Automotive Master Technician

Autohaus Schäfer GmbH

Summary

I have working experience with most OEMs and Tier1 manufacturers, so I know what is expected and how to achieve their results and standards. This includes low and high-volume production from passenger vehicle cars to agricultural and industrial construction vehicles. I am specialized in leading large automotive projects through the complete life cycle phases. Experienced in general management, Project, Quality and Account Management with knowledge and experience in strategy planning with execution of business plans to operational functionality within an international organisation. Many years’ experiences gained with on-site management within an automotive/OEM, first tier large and small volume environment and work consistently with Project and Quality Management systems. As a professional Project/Program Manager, I have made sure that I am proficient in all business areas of project management so that I can lead by example and consult and coach the team, and customer, to ensure product and business meets the cost, delivery and quality deliverables and to ensure that we exceed the Customer requirements and that he comes back again. Have demonstrated successful involvement in many complex projects with the ability to make the right decisions. This gives me the confidence that I have gained through my ability and enthusiasm to achieve, with Lessons Learnt adding to that experience. Have led an interdisciplinary project team and assume full project responsibility as the main contact for the customer. Main responsibility for the planning, implementation, documentation and evaluation of projects in compliance with deadlines, budget and quality. Responsible and achieved the financial project goals. As a project manager, I promote and am responsible for compliance with the processes and standards, and for the implementation of requested change requests. Together with project team, I develop forward-looking problem-solving strategies. Valuable military experience gained in management and leadership positions. Used to handling teams and being proactive and thinking on my feet. This is the work that I most enjoy and want to bring the best of my capabilities to the program to achieve satisfaction!

Languages

English
Native
German
Advanced

Education

May 1997 - Aug 1997

Brighton University

MBA module, Management for Practicing Engineers · Management for Practicing Engineers · Brighton and Hove, United Kingdom

Mar 1995 - Dec 1995

Open University

MBA module, Manufacture: Management & Technology, Quality Management · Manufacture: Management & Technology · Kents Hill, United Kingdom

Sep 1990 - Jul 1992

Swansea Institute of Higher Education

HND, Automotive Engineering Studies · Automotive Engineering Studies · Swansea, United Kingdom · Distinction

Certifications & licenses

Program Management Professional

Oakland University USA

P.Eng

International Union of Professional Engineers

B-Ing. Professional Engineer

Federal Association of German Professional Engineers

Ing.P.Euro.

International Union of Professional Engineers

Incorporated Engineer

Engineering Council

Licentiate Automotive Engineer

Institute of the Motor Industry

Member, Institute of the Motor Industry

Institute of the Motor Industry

Driving Licence: HGV

Driving Licence: Motorcycle

Driving Licence: Ordinary

ISO / IATF16949 Approved Internal Auditor

ISO 9000 Internal Auditor