BRENDA J. GRULICH
16463 Glenrock Street
Holly, MI 48442

Cell:  [Send email to request phone number] 95.9778

SUPPLY CHAIN / SUPPLIER QUALITY MANAGER
Driving profitability through exceptional supplier performance

Results driven procurement professional offers 10+ years of successful supplier
performance management. Proven ability to cultivate productive relationships and
attain the supplier quality and cost objectives. Expertise in negotiating
contracts to lock in attractive terms for an extended time period and proficiency
in achieving cost reductions through gains in internal efficiency. Demonstrated
skills in resolving issues in a prompt and highly satisfactory manner. 

CORE COMPETENCIES
-----------------
Supplier Management
Cross-functional Teams
Program Management
Problem Resolution
Purchasing
Supplier Evaluation
Process Improvement
Lean Manufacturing
Team Leadership
Process Signoff
Negotiation
Operational Streamlining
Cost Saving Initiatives
Statistical Analysis
Quality Planning
Quality Systems

Software Strengths - MS Office (Word, Excel, Access, Outlook), MS Project,
GLOBUS, Visio, SAP, Lotus Notes, Oracle-Discoverer, PowerWay

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
=======================

DAIMLER AG / DAIMLERCHRYSLER AG - 1999 – PRESENT
SUPPLIER MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST, DETROIT DIESEL (DDC), DETROIT, MI
(2/08-PRESENT)
Manage all activities to improve supplier quality in this operation with
extensive forging, machining, casting, and engine component assembly operations.
Monitor supplier performance, develop quality targets, implement and optimize
actions through cross-functional teams, qualify new suppliers, and initiate
pre-emptive action on supplier issues. Serve as primary interface between
engineering and suppliers for Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), on-site
process and procedure audits, and documentation reviews (including FMEA, PFMEA,
Control Plans, and PPAP) at supplier manufacturing facilities. Provide direction
for vendor schedulers of base engine components.
SELECTED ACCOMPLISHMENTS
] Reduced supplier quality issues by 25%, surpassing the target of 20%.
] Launched ten new parts on the heavy duty engine program, including supplier
subassemblies and precision machined components.
] Utilized problem solving techniques to determine root cause and verify
corrective action of warranty field complaints and plant quality and product
launch issues.

BUYER, DETROIT DIESEL, DETROIT, MI (6/06-2/08)
Purchased $60 million of large gray and ductile iron castings per year. Managed
activities and communication with suppliers and internal departments for the
development and use of iron castings for engines and axles on commercial
vehicles. Negotiated supplier agreements for critical materials, components, and
services including supplier commitments for pricing, warranty, scrap,
engineering, manufacturing, and aftermarket support. Evaluated alternate
suppliers, materials, methods, and technologies. Performed supplier onsite
assessments.
SELECTED ACCOMPLISHMENTS
] Negotiated more than $4 million in cost savings with suppliers.
] Implemented long-term contracts with all suppliers not having such, locking in
prices for an extended period.
] Led project to resource engine cover and housing castings to more cost
effective supplier, avoiding $3.5 million in price increases.
] Led cross-functional team that achieved the objective of attaining 5% cost
savings for castings.

MATERIAL STRATEGY SPECIALIST, CHRYSLER CORP., AUBURN HILLS, MI (9/05-5/06) 
Facilitated Chrysler Group and Mercedes participation in Material Strategy &
Innovation Counsel meetings. Coordinated cross-functional participation of
production material commodity teams in achieving business unit targets for
material cost savings. 
SELECTED ACCOMPLISHMENTS
] Achieved objective of identifying opportunities to realize $20 million in cost
savings.

SUPPLIER QUALITY SPECIALIST, CHRYSLER CORP., AUBURN HILLS, MI (6/02-9/05)
Led initiatives with suppliers, engineering, and purchasing to improve supplier
part quality for powertrain and chassis components in this operation consisting
of extensive casting, machining, molding, and stamping. 
SELECTED ACCOMPLISHMENTS
] Improved on time delivery from an average of 85% to 99% through the
implementation of PPAPs and process signoffs at suppliers.
] Reduced part quality issues by 10% through the use of problem solving
techniques that determined root cause and verified corrective action.

SUPPLIER QUALITY - WARRANTY SPECIALIST, CHRYSLER CORP., AUBURN HILLS, MI
(1/99-6/02) 
Organized activities with suppliers and internal departments to reduce warranty
expense and claim frequency for powertrain, chassis, and electrical components
and systems.
SELECTED ACCOMPLISHMENTS
] Resolved aluminum wheel porosity warranty issue on Jeep Grand Cherokee which
eliminated $1.6 million in warranty claims per year.
] Implemented best practices at several suppliers’ locations. 

COOPERATIVE EXPERIENCE
======================
GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION, FORT WAYNE, IN - 1995 – 1998
SUPERVISOR (ALTERNATING THREE-MONTH PERIODS)
Oversaw 30 production union employees in five departments.

WOLPAC INC, MADISON HEIGHTS, MI - 1994 – 1995
PROGRAM MANAGER (ALTERNATING THREE-MONTH PERIODS)
Performed various cost and quality control projects.

EDUCATION
=========
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, FLINT, MI
MASTER IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, 2002

KETTERING UNIVERSITY (FORMERLY GMI ENGINEERING & MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE), FLINT,
MI
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN MANUFACTURING MANAGEMENT, 1998

Thesis: Research and implementation of SPC software for the torque monitoring of
fasteners

International Studies: Reutlingen University, School of Production Management, 
FB Aussenwirtschaft, Reutlingen, Germany

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
========================
Shainin Blackbelt Program: Greenbelt Status
Casting/Bushing/Foundry 101 
Process Signoff
APQP/PPAP 
FMEA 
Control Plan
Positive Negotiations 
Karrass Negotiation
Dale Carnegie
Global Development Program - German Language Classes and Cultural Training