Harish Pudhupadi Udayakumar

• Oversaw 23 suppliers and 4 contract manufacturers across Asia Pacific regions.
• Achieved 99% on-time productivity while reducing rejection rate to 0.79% at EMS manufacturers.
• Delivered supplier quality metrics and dashboards to leadership for performance insights.
• Facilitated Lean tools training and process improvement activities for suppliers, decreasing defect rate from 3.5% to 2.1% in 2024-2025.
• Managed DFM and NPI coordination with cross-functional teams and manufacturing partners.
• Led supplier development for sheet metal, casting, plastic, rubber, electrical parts, and fasteners.
• Conducted tooling approvals, FAI approvals, PPAP reviews, and annual supplier audits.
• Contributed to cost savings through localization efforts, and saved 22 million USD on units built in India.

Conducted root cause analysis and corrective action plans, raising first-time-right scores from 78% to 94%.

• Managed documentation processes and supported internal and external audits effectively.
• Monitored quality metrics and reported first-time-right percentages to top management.
• Led a 13-member team in Measurement section for Digital Twins projects.
• Trained technicians on measurement techniques, drawing interpretation, and GD&T principles.

• Conducted over 50 supplier assessments and third-party audits for OEM clients.
• Reviewed PPAPs and performed capability analysis to verify supplier RCA effectiveness.
• Delivered more than 20 technical trainings on Lean tools, including 5S and quality systems.
• Assisted suppliers in reducing defect rates to meet OEM standards.

• Led Inprocess, OQC, and Customer QA for a team of 21 inspectors, 7 GET, and 5 junior engineers.
• Developed SOPs, work instructions, inspection procedures, and lab manuals to standardize operations.
• Conducted fit, form, function, and NPI PDI checks with OEMs during new vehicle development trials.
• Performed RCA and CAPA for customer complaints to drive quality improvements.
• Encouraged participation in QCC and Kaizen activities to foster continuous improvement.
• Managed QA and IPQC budget requests and reviewed KPIs for junior team members.
• Collaborated closely with suppliers and customers to ensure timely vehicle builds while managing PPM levels.

• Directed metrology lab operations, overseeing layout and sample inspection reports.
• Achieved 18% reduction in calibration costs through implementation of internal calibration program.
• Coordinated product testing efforts and collaborated with NABL labs for validation processes.
• Participated in cross-functional teams to address customer complaints and conduct root cause analysis.
• Led a team of 220 factory technicians in best practices including 5S, QCC, and Lean methodologies.

• Calibrated mechanical and electrical gauges, sensors, and instruments to ensure precision.
• Led NABL audit preparation, enhancing 5S practices and increasing lab sales by five percent from 2016 to 2018.
• Oversaw onsite calibration activities across various manufacturing companies as a certified third-party agency.
• Conducted interlab comparisons, Gauge R&R studies, and third-party training for inspection and drawing reading.

• Performed patrol inspections, layout and sample reports, and process audits.
• Documented nonconformities and supported root cause investigations.