Kathleen T. Cox
Downers Grove
Summary
I am an analytical, results-orientated quality professional, with twenty-five years of quality systems expertise. I have proven my ability to develop new strategies and handle multiple projects concurrently while working well with others to meet corporate goals. I have a strong ability to prioritize and adapt to rapidly changing situations while demonstrating a strong belief in the "team" concept.
Highly skilled in quality control systems management with experience across various manufacturing sectors. Possess deep understanding of compliance standards, process optimization, and risk management strategies. Demonstrated ability to lead teams towards achieving consistent product quality and operational efficiency. Improved system processes and documentation, resulting in enhanced product reliability and customer satisfaction.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Regional Quality Manager for USA & Mexico
National Kwikmetal Services/ A.M. Castle & Co.
2024.08 - Current
- Responsible for all Quality Management System (ISO 9001:2015) and regulatory compliance, Reach, Conflict Minerals, RoHS, Reach for all Chicago facilities.
- Designed and implemented a KPI Dashboard with countermeasure platform to monitor and respond to areas of weakness and to quickly recognize costly system/quality failures.
- Prepared metallurgical lag for ANAB accreditation - Once certification process is complete will result in an annual cost savings of $100,000/Year.
- Responsible for all company First Article/PPAPs submissions including IMDS system submittals required by our Automotive customers.
- Implementation of APQP process for new and revised products to ensure all risks and controls are put into place to endure compliance with customer requirements prior to production and customer specification control checks in ERP system to ensure material checks are validated.
- Key Quality Representative for all customer complaints and rejections through formal root cause, corrective/preventive actions using 8D methodology and created a team approach by implementing a material Review Board with US and Mexico Executives.
- NKS is a provider of slit coil to the metal and size specifications needed by its customers. A subsidiary of A.M. Castle & Co. (NYSE: CAS) is the foremost provider of specialty metals, services, and supply chain solutions.
Quality & Compliance Consultant/Temporary
Cadrex Manufacturing Solutions
Bloomingdale
2023.11 - 2024.08
- Responsible for all Quality Management System (ISO 9001:2015) and regulatory compliance, Reach, Conflict Minerals, RoHS, Reach for all Chicago facilities, Bloomingdale, Glendale Heights and Romeoville.
- Designed BI Analytical reports with a drill down into specific sources/process owners with a focus on root cause, corrective and preventive actions to reduce customer claims.
- Reduced all customer claims by 35% in the first 6 months with Cadrex. Special Acknowledgement from GE Healthcare VP of Supply Chain.
- Improved metrology lab capabilities with equipment updates and training to improve accuracy and reduce the time that it takes to process First Article/PPAPs thought the department.
- Assisted Cadrex with onboarding three new medical device customers to qualify Cadrex as a top approved source for these customers.
- Implementation of APQP processes for new and revised products to ensure all risks are addressed and controls are put into place to ensure compliance to customer requirements prior to production.
- Key Quality Representative for daily Gemba meetings and establishing monthly MOR reporting for Chicago branches to establish goals with monthly countermeasures to improve overall performance.
- Second-top metal fabricator in Fabricator's 2024 FAB 40 List serving several industries including Aerospace, Defense and Medical.
Quality & Compliance Manager USA & Canada
Swiss Steel International (Swiss Steel USA/Canada)
Carol Stream
2021.06 - 2023.06
- Responsible for all Quality Management System (ISO 9001:2015) and regulatory compliance, Reach, Conflict Minerals, RoHS, Reach for all USA/Canada distribution facilities.
- Passed last ISO 9001 audit with NO findings.
- Responsible for creating and maintaining SAP Raw Material Test System criteria per Industry metals standards, customer specifications/drawings, and all raw material Quality.
- Responsible for updating all the Mill Specification as a formal contract with the mills to ensure they are meeting the ASTM, AMS and Customer Specifications requirements.
- Responsible for Metallurgical and Mechanical testing Lab, Eddy Current Testing equipment, processes and personnel.
- Designed Analytical reports with a drill down into specific sources/process owners with a focus on root cause, corrective and preventive actions to reduce customer claims.
- Year Over Year 2021/2022 Operations claim reduction by 31.55%. YTD 2022/2023 currently at 10% reduction.
- Joined the NADCA Die Materials Committee in the review and revision of the NADCA PUBLISHED 05/2022: Heat Treat and Die Materials Specification: NADCA #207-2022 Revision H.
- Lead Customer Feedback/Claims Meetings with Executive team with follow-up on assigned actions to ensure improvements in customer satisfaction.
- Provide leadership in the development of regulatory strategies for development of new products or modifications to existing products with the implementation of the Swiss Technical Review Team.
- Distributor of a full range of tool steels and stainless steels processed per customer requirement.
Midwest Regional Quality Manager
TW Metals Division of O'Neal Industries
Carol Stream
2016.10 - 2021.06
- Responsible for all Quality AS9100 and Regulatory compliance for all TW GBU (Government Business Unit), QRT (Quick Response Team) and all Midwest Branches.
- Responsible for creating and maintaining Material test report system checks per Industry metals standards and customer specifications/drawings.
- First six months implement new quality systems resulting in onboarding three new accounts totaling over one million dollars in annual sales - including the implementation of PED certification.
- Customer First Article & PPAPs including APQP, FMEA, Control Plans/MSA/Gage R&R and SPC.
- Designed Analytical report to pinpoint the source of nonconformances and drive continuous improvement efforts with proven track record in consistently exceeding corporate goals in customer claims reduction.
- Passed last AS9100 Aerospace certified QMS audit with No findings.
- Provider of specialty metals, services, and supply chain solutions. Recognized as a distributor of carbon, alloy, stainless steel, nickel alloys, aluminum, titanium, cast iron, brass, copper, and plastic, as well as a global resource for complex supply chain solutions - Aerospace, Automotive, Oil & Gas, Defense.
Corporate Quality Manager
A.M. Castle & Co.
Oak Brook
2010.11 - 2016.10
- AS9100 "C" (ISO 9001:2008) transition in the first 6 months including contributing to creation of new Quality Manual.
- Monthly Management Steering Committee meetings to establish district directives toward excellence in service and quality - leading Quality projects resulting in a cost reduction in annual credits totaling $600,000.
- All Training and implementation of Oracle Quality module to capture and analyze customer credits/complaints.
- Customer First Article & PPAPs including APQP, FMEA, MSA/Gage R&R and SPC.
- Implemented internal DPAR process to ensure product readiness for production.
- Field quality issues/customer complaints - Created formal CAR procedure with 8D & DMAIC methodology.
- Developed PFMEAs with Risk Registry's for top primary processes lead continual improvement teams - resulting in a 65% reduction in risks in two key areas.
- District Supplier Quality - Maintenance and site qualification audits for all district suppliers - Approved Supplier List development and maintenance.
- Created and implemented lean initiatives to achieve a certified Quality Clinic in our facility for United Technologies Aerospace Systems.
- Export Compliance Auditor for our Chicago & Minnesota districts - Reporting to Corporate International Trade Compliance official.
- UTAS (Aerospace) Gold Supplier status- Clinic initiatives resulted in a drop in PPM from 1267 to 36 over the course of the first year.
- Implementation of a Material Review Board with new streamlined processes - Including Inventory control of all non-conforming material.
- Traveled with the Regional Quality Team to conduct Internal Audits for other branches.
- Internal Audits - training, scheduling, follow-up corrective actions for all district findings. Including EHS system "Stop" program participation.
- Increased inspection capability by the purchase and implementation of a Bruker RXF analyzer, Faro Arm (Portable Coordinate Measuring Machine).
- Direct all Calibration functions for the district in compliance to ANSI/NCSLZ540-3 - ISO/IEC17025.
- Pratt & Whitney corporate LCS certified representative.
- A. M. Castle & Co. (NYSE: CAS) is the foremost provider of specialty metals, services, and supply chain solutions. Recognized as a distributor of carbon, alloy, stainless steel, nickel alloys, aluminum, titanium, cast iron, brass, copper, and plastic, as well as a global resource for complex supply chain solutions - Aerospace, Automotive, Oil & Gas, Defense.
Education
AAGS -
College of DuPage
Management, Marketing & Supervisor Certification -
College of DuPage
Lead Auditor Certification -
ISO 9001:2015
Lead Auditor Certification -
AS9100:D (Aerospace)
Lead Auditor Certification -
ISO 13485 (Medical Device)
ACE - Achieving Competitive Excellence - 6 Sigma Program
UTAS
Publications
- NADCA - Special Quality Die Steel & Heat Treatment Acceptance Criteria for Die Casting Dies
- NADCA #207-2022 Revision H
Computer Software
- MieTrak
- SAP
- Oracle
- PowerTerm ERP Systems
- AutoCad Viewer - Some Solid Works
- Microsoft: Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, Visio, Projects and PowerPoint
- PCDMIS (Brown & Sharpe CMM programming software)
- Minitab - Statistical software
Education And Certifications
- ASQ Six Sigma Green Belt Certified
- ASQ Certified Quality Engineer
- College of DuPage, AAGS
- College of DuPage - Management, Marketing & Supervisor Certification
- ISO 9001:2015 Lead Auditor Certification
- AS9100:D (Aerospace) Lead Auditor Certification
- ISO 13485 (Medical Device) Lead Auditor Certification
- ACE - Achieving Competitive Excellence - (6 Sigma Program) UTAS ACE Lead Certification
Timeline
Regional Quality Manager for USA & Mexico
National Kwikmetal Services/ A.M. Castle & Co.
2024.08 - Current
Quality & Compliance Consultant/Temporary
Cadrex Manufacturing Solutions
2023.11 - 2024.08
Quality & Compliance Manager USA & Canada
Swiss Steel International (Swiss Steel USA/Canada)
2021.06 - 2023.06
Midwest Regional Quality Manager
TW Metals Division of O'Neal Industries
2016.10 - 2021.06
Corporate Quality Manager
A.M. Castle & Co.
2010.11 - 2016.10
AAGS -
College of DuPage
Management, Marketing & Supervisor Certification -
College of DuPage
Lead Auditor Certification -
ISO 9001:2015
Lead Auditor Certification -
AS9100:D (Aerospace)
Lead Auditor Certification -
ISO 13485 (Medical Device)
ACE - Achieving Competitive Excellence - 6 Sigma Program
UTAS