1. Heath Nijem P.Eng.
3255 Maidstone Lane, London, ON.N6P1V6 | (519) 652-6459 | hnijem@yahoo.com
Objective
Extensive experience in operations and manufacturing management. Passionate about safety,quality and
customer satisfaction. Record of improving efficiency,productivity and profitability by driving continuous
improvement and utilizing automation and process while focusing on core business metrics. Outstanding
interpersonal, motivational and presentational skills. Analytical, articulate and diligent with a strong
workethic.
Education
MASTERS OF SCIENCE | 1995 | BRADLEY UNIVERSITY
· Major: Manufacturing Engineering
· Thesis: Effectof system stiffness on frictionand wear
· GPA: 3.83 / 4.0
BACHELORS OF SCIENCE | 1990 | BRADLEY UNIVERSITY
· Major: ElectricalEngineering
· Option: Computer
Skills & Abilities
MANAGEMENT
· Managed major product launches while exceeding deadlines and coming under budget.
· Maintain department KPI in all metrics (Safety, people, responsiveness, cost and quality)
· Capital project management including justification and cost analysis.
· Major breakdown management that includes troubleshooting, immediate and long term
countermeasures and problem solving report (5-why’s).
COMMUNICATION
· Providedaily maintenance shift updates to both management and maintenance associates.
· Providecompliance training to all maintenance team members. Training includes lockout/tagout,
lifting and rigging, Arial platforms, confined space and CPR/First Aid.
· Communicate all safety alerts and engineering changes on daily basis.
· Speaker/presenter at 1994 SAE conference(http://papers.sae.org/941110/)
LEADERSHIP
· Result oriented style of leadership witha focuson the task at hand.
· Decisive, clear and to the point when dealing with difficultpersonnel or conflictsituations.
· Take the lead during breakdowns. This includes safety pre task planning, troubleshooting strategy and
repair of equipment.

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Experience
MAINTENANCE GROUP LEAD | GENERAL MOTORS | 2005-PRESENT
· Plan and schedule preventative and predictive maintenance work(weekly)
· Key contributor to successful 2009 vehicle launch program.
· Continuously improving process and automation to reduce line downtimes and improve quality.
· Plan and manage internal (maintenance) and external resources (contractors).
· Achievements include bottle neck identification and resolutions throughout the body shop, Pokeyoke
development on new lines and error proofing. Also worked on production flow,batching and
continuously finding ways to increase robotic cell speed.
MAINTENANCE, QUALITY AND ENGINEER | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 1997-2005
· Worked in process engineering and was assigned responsibility of 50% of all lines in final assembly
whichincluded tool design and improvement. Station modifications and time study analysis to increase
operator efficiency withoutsacrificing safety, quality and cost. Ran a successful new vehicle model
launch that included workredistribution and AutoCAD redesign of most stations in trim area to reduce
head count. This also included the implementation of modifications and all tooling changes and new
engineering model part changes required for the new model.
· Worked in QC department and was responsible forthe quality of vendor parts and finding ways to
support vendor processes to improve fitand finish. Held vendors responsible forall defectiveparts and
ran sorting and part re-workcampaigns when defects were discovered.
· Assigned as final maintenance supervisor during the last 5 years at Ford. Was mainly the lead on all
major/minor breakdowns and recovery.Maintained maintenance budget and organized weekend work
and personnel to repair and improve automation and equipment as required. Also organized major
new equipment installations such as a new tire room and conveyancesystems.
INDUSTRIAL ENGINEER | ITW BUILDEX | 1993-1995
· Upgraded cut and mill equipment to incorporate a 3-axis positioning system and programmed each
part parameters so operator will pickthe part and machine willself-set. This increased part accuracy
and repeatability while reducing setup times and thus increasing machine up time.
· Responsible foroperator training program and development of training manual formachine setup and
maintenance procedures and guidelines.
· Developed AutoCAD layouts for the new warehouse.