Kedar Patil

Working as a Team Leader in New Product Development at a gear manufacturing company, I was responsible for leading the end-to-end development of new gears from concept to mass production.

• Leading new product development (NPD) activities for gears and shaft components.
• Coordinating with design, production, quality, purchasing, and customer teams for smooth project execution.
• Preparing and reviewing APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, and Process Flow documents.
• Overseeing gear manufacturing processes, including hobbing, shaving, shaping, gear grinding, gear honing, and heat treatment.
• Ensuring compliance with IATF/ISO quality standards and customer specifications.
• Managing the complete NPD lifecycle for transmission gears and shaft components.
• Conducting design validation, trial runs, pilot lot approvals, and ensuring on-time project launches.
• Monitoring process capability (CPK), SPC implementation, and continuous quality improvement.
• Handling customer audits and ensuring compliance with IATF/ISO quality standards.
• Supporting cost optimization, productivity improvement, and value engineering initiatives.
• - Coordinating with OEMs and international export customers for technical discussions, specifications review, and project approvals.

• Responsible for making or improving different types of tools to enable the production processes within a manufacturing facility to be as efficient as possible.
• Selection, approval, proving, and modification of A-class tooling, jig/fixture for new product development.
• Support production and engineering with tooling and technical problems.
• Implement a budget for the investment in new equipment, and drive these investments.
• Supports production and engineering to manage and guarantee on-time availability of tools to ensure continuous production and an increase in OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness).
• Develop and manage procedural arrangements whereby proposals on new equipment or tool design can be assessed for their impact in performance terms.
• Established effective communication channels between engineering and production departments, ensuring seamless project transitions.
• Mentored junior engineers, fostering a culture of continuous improvement within the team.

• Mentored and trained a team of 10 new product development engineers, leading to a 20% improvement in team productivity.
• Project leader and customer coordinator for new product development.
• Drawing Review and Feasibility Confirmation.
• Selection, approval, proving, and modification of A-class tooling, jig/fixture, and machinery for new product development.
• Technical discussion with vendors to keep quality products, processes, and timely supply.
• Responsible for cellular manufacturing on gear hobbing, shaping, shaving, cylindrical grinding, honing, lapping, ID grinding, gear teeth grinding, SPMs, and assembly line.
• Process / PFD finalization and approval.
• To maintain and monitor the customer delivery schedule for the new product through the APQP system.
• Enhanced team productivity by implementing efficient work processes and regularly reviewing performance metrics.
• Increased customer satisfaction ratings by closely monitoring service quality standards and addressing any issues promptly.

• Daily production planning.
• Daily downtime analysis.
• Preparing ISO audit documents.
• Set up time, cycle time, and cost reduction.
• Ensure process control for high severity, high failures, and excess rejection.
• Designed and incorporated process design improvements.
• Mentored junior engineers and provided technical guidance for their career development and growth.
• Developed and executed process improvement initiatives for enhanced product quality and cost reduction.
• Performed root cause analysis and implemented corrective actions.
• Communicated with other team members to enhance process and performance.

• Development of SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) for machines as GMP.
• Founder member of the company.
• New machine FAT and installation.
• Development of protocols for machine operational and performance qualification (OQ and PQ protocols).
• Key role in SAP development activities.
• Set up time, cycle time, and cost reduction.
• Ensure process control for high severity, high failures, and excess rejection.
• To maintain and monitor the customer delivery schedule.
• Technical discussion with vendors to keep quality products, processes, and timely supply.
• Assessed other activities related to production and recommended changes to improve overall productivity.
• Partnered with supply chain management to optimize inventory levels, reducing carrying costs without sacrificing operational readiness.
• Implemented safety protocols and standards across all operations, maintaining an accident-free work environment.
• Documented current production procedures and created standards to boost efficiency within department.

• Responsible for the planning of machines, manpower, and materials on a daily basis for the completion of the schedule.
• Execution of planning, monitoring, and achieving the daily target.
• Responsible for handling manpower and assigning the jobs to individuals.
• Managed production schedules, ensuring timely delivery of products while maintaining high quality standards.
• Provided technical support to troubleshoot equipment issues, minimizing downtime and maintaining production targets.
• Implemented safety protocols that drastically decreased workplace accidents.
• Reduced machine downtime, conducting regular preventative maintenance and updates.

• Demonstrated strong analytical skills by assessing complex problems and developing feasible solutions under supervision of senior engineers.
• Stayed current with industry trends through continuous learning opportunities such as workshops, seminars, and online courses.
• Expanded knowledge base through active participation in mentoring sessions with experienced engineers.
• Maintained organized records of all work performed for easy retrieval when needed for reference or audits purposes.
• Gained hands-on experience with various tools, machinery, and software systems through extensive training and practice.