Chris Gouch

Experienced leader in automotive supplier quality and vehicle assembly, known for bringing a calm, steady hand to high-pressure environments and driving performance across people, processes, and suppliers. Consistently earned above-average leadership scores in employee engagement surveys by fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Proven ability to deliver high-quality parts, reduce quality rejects and warranty claims, and lower PPM across complex, multi-site operations. Adept at building high-performing teams, strengthening supplier relationships, and developing robust Quality Operating Systems (QOS) that align with cost, capacity, and customer expectations.

I champion a data-driven, root-cause-focused approach to quality management, translating insights into scalable improvements and preventive measures that reduce risk and strengthen supply chain resilience.

𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐞

𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 & 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

• Delivered inbound supplier quality for 5 North American plants covering 12 vehicle programs.
• Minimized quality incidents up to 50% across 170+ key suppliers.

𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬 & 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞

• Deep experience with TS16949 and CQI standards; conducted on-site manufacturing assessments for current production, launches, and resourcing.

𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 & 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

• Implemented defect prevention and error-proofing strategies that supported high-volume production with minimal disruptions.

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

• Led variability reduction initiatives using Six Sigma and 8D; instilled a continuous improvement mindset through systemic issue resolution and best-practice adoption.

𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠

• Skilled in FMEA and APQP to proactively identify failure modes and control risks.

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 (𝐏𝐏𝐀𝐏)

• Oversaw launch, annual, and engineering change validations to ensure parts met all quality and performance standards.

I am currently open to opportunities in the Greater Cleveland area or fully remote. Feel free to reach out at 𝐜𝐣𝐠𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐡1@𝐠𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥.𝐜𝐨𝐦 to discuss how I can help strengthen your supplier quality operations.

𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐃 𝐌𝐎𝐓𝐎𝐑 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐀𝐍𝐘, Dearborn, US

𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐫, 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 (𝐒𝐓𝐀) 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 2023 - 2025

Managed a team of 40+ supplier quality professionals overseeing inbound quality for 5 North American plants and 12 vehicle programs. Directed investigation and resolution of technical product issues, mitigating risks, and directing suppliers and resources.

• Improved key current model quality metrics with external supply chain, leading to a 13% increase in warranty performance, 21% reduction in quality incidents, and 20% decrease in PPM.
• Minimized incoming quality issues 20-50% for 173 key suppliers through targeted action plans.
• Directed hiring, staffing processes, and professional development initiatives for 6 managers and 37 engineers, focusing on strengthening expertise in quality tools and enhancing problem-solving proficiency.
• Conducted 140 cross-functional ‘Gemba’ reviews at supplier manufacturing sites, identified opportunities, assigned champions, and ensured completion.
• Raised supply chain stability by resolving systemic issues and implementing preventative action plans.
• Coordinated with cross-functional leaders and led escalations that resolved obstacles and validated permanent corrective actions.
• Championed data-centric approach to supplier quality, translating performance analysis into containment actions and long-term corrective solutions that adhered to corporate standards and elevated supplier performance.

𝐎𝐡𝐢𝐨 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐥𝐲 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐕𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐥𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 (𝐏𝐕𝐓) 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐫 2022 - 2023

Led a team of 4 engineers presiding over underbody and powertrain systems for E-Series, Medium Duty, and Super Duty vehicles. Directed initiatives to enhance customer warranty results and plant first-time-through rates across powertrain, propulsion, thermal systems, brakes, suspension, frames, and tire commodities.

𝐒𝐓𝐀 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐀 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞, 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧, & 𝐀𝐱𝐥𝐞 2020 - 2022

Oversaw on-site supplier quality resident engineers at 15 North American powertrain manufacturing plants in the US, Canada, and Mexico. Oversaw Critical Supplier Process for 50+ priority suppliers to promote continuous improvement initiatives, resolve quality and cost disputes, and uphold corporate compliance standards.

𝐒𝐓𝐀 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐫, 𝐎𝐡𝐢𝐨, 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐧, 𝐊𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐬 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐥𝐲 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 2013 - 2020

Acted as technical lead connecting purchasing, engineering, manufacturing, operations, and suppliers. Led team of 9 engineers across 3 assembly plants for 6 programs, providing quality issue triage, containment, supplier engagement, and warranty resolution. Collaborated with assembly plants and suppliers to meet quality standards and drive improvements

𝐒𝐓𝐀 𝐒𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐫, 𝐁𝐨𝐝𝐲 & 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬

𝐒𝐓𝐀 𝐒𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐫, 𝐁𝐨𝐝𝐲 & 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬

𝐒𝐓𝐀 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫, 𝐅150/𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧/𝐍𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫

𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 (𝐁𝐒), Mechanical Engineering, The Ohio State University - College of Engineering, Columbus, OH