Erick Garcia

Senior Automotive Professional with 20+ years of experience leading international programs, industrialization projects, manufacturing launches and operational recovery initiatives across Mexico, Germany, USA and China. Proven track record managing global stakeholders, multidisciplinary teams, launch readiness activities, manufacturing transfers and business-critical customer programs for Audi, Volkswagen and Tesla while supporting quality and industrialization initiatives for Ford, General Motors, Stellantis and Nissan. Expertise in Program Governance, Stakeholder Management, Financial Management, Change Management, Industrialization, APQP, Launch Management, Manufacturing Readiness and Operational Excellence.

Quality Manager at PVL Puebla (2025-07 – Present)

Responsible for the Quality Management System and led a cross-functional recovery program involving Quality, Production, Projects and Engineering functions to restore customer confidence, operational performance and business continuity.

• Reduced CSL1 and CSL2 customer escalations to near elimination through structured problem-solving and cross-functional leadership.
• Closed 100% of open customer 8D reports, improving customer confidence and reducing recurrence risks.
• Improved Audi supplier performance rating from C to B through execution of recovery plans and stakeholder engagement.
• Restored IATF 16949 certification, securing business continuity and OEM customer approvals.
• Led multidisciplinary teams focused on mislabeling reduction, eliminating one of the primary drivers of customer claims.
• Reduced Cost of Poor Quality through process improvements, corrective actions and operational discipline.

Program Management, Industrialization & Quality at Independent Automotive Consultant (2024-01 – 2025-07)

Provided consulting services supporting automotive Tier-1 suppliers in industrialization, manufacturing readiness, quality recovery and operational excellence.

• Led equipment release and manufacturing readiness activities for Motherson projects, achieving 100% production approval prior to launch.
• Coordinated machine buy-offs, industrialization reviews and launch readiness assessments.
• Restored IATF 16949 certification for PVL Puebla, ensuring business continuity and customer approval.
• Delivered consulting milestones on schedule, achieving 100% customer satisfaction.
• Improved operational performance through manufacturing optimization and process improvement initiatives.

Program Manager at Forvia HQ (2022 – 2023)

Managed automotive programs across Mexico, USA and France, leading development, industrialization and launch execution from planning through production. OEM Customer: Tesla

• Managed full program lifecycle including scope, schedule, budget, profitability and customer deliverables.
• Directed program governance reviews and executive steering committees.
• Led stakeholder management activities with customers, suppliers and cross-functional teams.
• Managed Engineering Change Requests, quotations and customer approvals.
• Coordinated launch readiness, APQP, PFMEA, Control Plans and Run@Rate activities.
• Managed equipment installation and production line readiness.
• Led multidisciplinary teams of approximately 30 professionals across Mexico, USA and China achieving 100% customer milestone compliance.
• Achieved 100% customer approval of Engineering Change Requests through structured governance and stakeholder alignment.
• Improved Net Cash performance from 1.9% to 4.0% through financial management and resource optimization.
• Maintained operating margins above 7% while supporting business growth objectives.
• Maintained Net Debt/EBITDA below 1.5x through proactive risk management and financial control.

Project Manager (MX – GER) at Motherson (2013 – 2022)

Led international automotive programs from quotation through launch and post-SOP stabilization. OEM Customers: VW / Audi

• Delivered Audi Q5 transfer program from Germany to Mexico generating USD 700K savings while achieving successful production launch.
• Generated cumulative savings of USD 1.2M through industrialization improvements, manufacturing optimization and resource management.
• Led multidisciplinary teams of approximately 30 professionals across Mexico and Germany.
• Reduced program costs by 20% versus approved budgets through optimization of resources and industrialization strategies.
• Successfully executed machine buy-offs and production line releases without affecting ongoing operations.
• Achieved launch milestones on schedule while meeting customer requirements for quality, timing and cost.

Quality Project Leader – Germany at Motherson

OEM Customers: VW / Audi

• Increased customer satisfaction by 20% through proactive issue resolution and launch risk management.
• Reduced launch-related quality issues through preventive planning and structured validation activities.
• Improved launch readiness through quality governance and stakeholder alignment.

Supplier Quality Assurance Chief at Motherson

• Recovered USD 500K in supplier warranty charges through structured supplier management and escalation processes.
• Led a team of six Supplier Quality Engineers supporting launch readiness and APQP activities.
• Improved supplier performance through PPAP governance and corrective action deployment.

Quality Manager Interim / Quality Chief at Transnav SA de CV (2010 – 2013)

• Stabilized Quality Management System and successfully passed customer and certification audits.
• Implemented KPI-driven continuous improvement initiatives improving operational discipline and customer performance.

Customer Quality / Quality Manager Interim at HPP Pelzer SA de CV (2008 – 2010)

OEM Customers: Ford / GM / Nissan / VW / Stellantis

• Managed customer quality activities, corrective actions and supplier quality performance.
• Improved customer satisfaction through structured complaint management and root cause analysis

Quality Engineer at Nicrobolta (2006 – 2008)

Quality Engineer / Quality Manager at Duroplast SA de CV (2002 – 2006)

Quality Auditor / Quality Engineer at Termoplásticos Técnicos de México SA de CV (2000 – 2002)

Professional Internship at Benteler (2000 – 2000)

MBA in Finance – TEC Milenio

Speciality in Quality & Productivity – Instituto Politecnico Nacional

Mechanical Engineer – Instituto Tecnológico de Puebla